Intercepted Communications - Statute of Limitations and Penalty

HB 130 reclassifies the offense of intercepting, disclosing, or using intercepted wire, oral, or electronic communications from a felony to a misdemeanor. It directly affects individuals who illegally intercept or disclose such communications, changing the penalty to up to 5 years in prison or a $10,000 fine (or both), instead of felony-level sanctions. The bill modifies Maryland’s existing law (Article 10, Section 402 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Code) by amending the penalty provisions without altering the core prohibitions. Note: The bill’s title mentions "statute of limitations," but the text does not address this; it solely changes penalty severity. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.