Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB661: Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance - Intercepted Communications - Admissibility of Evidence
Status: In committee, March 26, 2026
Authorizing a person to intercept a wire, oral, or electronic communication that is a recording or part of a recording of the commission or attempted commission of a certain crime; providing that the contents of a certain intercepted communication and evidence derived from the communication may be received in evidence in a criminal trial or hearing before the District Court or circuit court under certain circumstances; and providing for a certain affirmative defense to a charge under the wiretap statute.
What the bill says
An act concerning Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance - Intercepted Communications - Admissibility of Evidence FOR the purpose of authorizing a person to intercept a wire, oral, or electronic communication that is a recording or part of a recording of the commission or attempted commission of a certain crime; providing that the contents of a certain intercepted communication and evidence derived from the communication may be received in evidence in a certain criminal proceeding under certain circumstances; providing for a certain affirmative defense to a charge under the wiretap statute…
From the engrossed text, March 20, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance - Intercepted Communications - Admissibility of Evidence FOR the purpose of authorizing a person to intercept a wire, oral, or electronic communication that is a recording or part of a recording of the commission or attempted commission of a certain crime; providing that the contents of a certain intercepted communication and evidence derived from the communication may be received in evidence in a certain criminal proceeding under certain circumstances; providing for a certain affirmative defense to a charge under the wiretap statute; and generally relating to the admissibility of intercepted communications. BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings Section 10-402(a) and (b) Annotated Code of Maryland (2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY adding to Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings Section 10-402(c)(12) Annotated Code of Maryland (2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law. Underlining indicates amendments to bill. Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by amendment. *sb0661* SENATE BILL Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings Section 10-405 Annotated Code of Maryland (2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, …