Title 20. Automated Purchasing Machines — Subtitle 4. Automated Purchasing Machine Transactions
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Bus. Reg. § 20-401 (2026)
Title 20. Automated Purchasing Machines
Subtitle 4. Automated Purchasing Machine Transactions
§ 20–401LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A buyer shall ensure that each automated purchasing machine that the buyer owns or operates in the State meets the requirements of this section.
(b)
(1)
Before the completion of a transaction in which an automated purchasing machine buys personal property, the automated purchasing machine shall require a seller to provide the following information:
(i)
the full name of the seller;
(ii)
the date of birth of the seller;
(iii)
the complete home address of the seller; and
(iv)
a contact telephone number for the seller.
(2)
An automated purchasing machine receiving personal property from a seller shall verify the information provided by the seller under paragraph (1) of this subsection by requiring the seller to submit:
(i)
the seller’s government–issued identification card; or
(ii)
any other form of personal identifying information required by the Secretary.
(c)
(1)
On completion of a transaction in which an automated purchasing machine buys personal property, the automated purchasing machine shall make a record of the transaction that includes:
(i)
the information obtained from the seller under subsection (b)(1) of this section;
(ii)
a photograph of the seller;
(iii)
an electronic copy or a photocopy of the identifying information submitted under subsection (b)(2) of this section;
(iv)
the date, time, and location of the transaction; and
(v)
a description of the personal property, including a statement whether the personal property appears to have been altered.
(2)
(i)
In addition to the information required under paragraph (1) of this subsection, if the personal property bought by an automated purchasing machine is an electronic device, the automated purchasing machine shall make a record of:
(1)
the make and model of the electronic device; and
(2)
the serial number of the electronic device if it can be determined at the time of purchase.
(ii)
A serial number that an automated purchasing machine generates to record a transaction does not qualify as a serial number for purposes of this paragraph.
(3)
A separate entry shall be made for each item of personal property involved in a transaction.
Md. Code Ann., Bus. Reg. § 20-402 (2026)
Title 20. Automated Purchasing Machines
Subtitle 4. Automated Purchasing Machine Transactions
§ 20–402LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
(i)
Subject to subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph, a buyer shall submit a copy of the records required under § 20–401(c) of this subtitle to the primary law enforcement unit within 48 hours after a transaction in a paper or electronic format acceptable to the primary law enforcement unit.
(ii)
If a serial number cannot be determined at the time of the transaction, a buyer shall submit to the primary law enforcement unit:
(1)
a preliminary report containing the information required under § 20–401(c) of this subtitle, except the serial number, within 48 hours after the transaction; and
(2)
a final report containing the information required under § 20–401(c) of this subtitle, including the serial number, within 17 days after the transaction.
(iii)
The provisions of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph may not be construed to require a buyer to incur a substantial financial burden to comply with the requirements of this paragraph.
(2)
A buyer shall keep the records required under § 20–401(c) of this subtitle for at least 1 year after the date of the transaction.
(3)
A copy of a record submitted under § 20–401(c) of this subtitle:
(i)
shall be kept confidential;
(ii)
is not a public record; and
(iii)
is not subject to Title 10, Subtitle 6 of the State Government Article.
(b)
(1)
A buyer shall keep all personal property bought for at least 30 days after the buyer submits the information required under § 20–401(c) of this subtitle to the primary law enforcement unit.
(2)
On the request of the primary law enforcement unit, a buyer shall provide to the primary law enforcement unit any personal property purchased by an automated purchasing machine at the cost of the buyer.
(c)
A buyer shall make all personal property purchased by an automated purchasing machine available for inspection by the primary law enforcement unit at any time.
(d)
(1)
A buyer shall remove all items of personal property from an automated purchasing machine in intervals of no less than 10 days.
(2)
A buyer shall notify the primary law enforcement unit of the date and time the buyer will remove personal property from an automated purchasing machine at least 72 hours before removing the personal property.
(3)
The primary law enforcement unit may inspect the personal property being removed from an automated purchasing machine at the time of the removal.
Md. Code Ann., Bus. Reg. § 20-403 (2026)
Title 20. Automated Purchasing Machines
Subtitle 4. Automated Purchasing Machine Transactions
§ 20–403LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
(i)
A buyer shall use an individual to screen each transaction in which an automated purchasing machine buys personal property.
(ii)
An individual who screens a transaction may screen the transaction remotely.
(2)
A buyer shall keep a record of the screener assigned to screen each transaction.
(b)
If a buyer determines that personal property sold to an automated purchasing machine is stolen, the buyer shall:
(1)
contact the primary law enforcement unit as soon as practicable; and
(2)
return the personal property to the primary law enforcement unit free of charge.