# Courts and Judicial Proceedings (GCJ)

## Title 3. Courts of General Jurisdiction -- Jurisdiction/special Causes of Action

### Subtitle 23. Protected Individuals -- Protected Information

#### Section 3-2301

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) "Governmental entity" has the meaning stated in Sec. 10-1501 of the State Government Article.

(c) "Office of Information Privacy" means the Office of Information Privacy in the Administrative Office of the Courts.

(d)

  (1) "Personal information" means:

    (i) A home address;

    (ii) A home telephone number;

    (iii) A mobile telephone number;

    (iv) A personal e-mail address;

    (v) A Social Security number;

    (vi) A driver's license number;

    (vii) A federal tax identification number;

    (viii) A bank account number;

    (ix) A credit or debit card number;

    (x) A license plate number or unique identifier of a vehicle;

    (xi) A birth or marital record;

    (xii) A child's name;

    (xiii) A school or daycare;

    (xiv) A place of worship; or

    (xv) A place of employment of an individual described in subsection (e)(6) of this section.

  (2) "Personal information" does not include:

    (i) Information that has been publicly disclosed with the consent of the protected individual; or

    (ii) Information that is relevant to and displayed as part of a news story, commentary, an editorial, or any other speech on matters of public concern.

(e) "Protected individual" means:

  (1) A current or retired justice or judge of a court established under Article IV of the Maryland Constitution;

  (2) A current or retired justice or judge of a federal court, including a U.S. Bankruptcy Court, domiciled in the State;

  (3) A current or retired magistrate appointed by a circuit court of the State;

  (4) A current or retired United States magistrate judge domiciled in the State;

  (5) A current or retired commissioner of the District Court of Maryland; or

  (6) A spouse, a child, or a dependent who resides in the same household as an individual described in items (1) through (5) of this subsection.

(f) "Publish" means to post or otherwise make available to the general public on the Internet, social media, or social networks.

#### Section 3-2302

(a) A protected individual, or the Office of Information Privacy on behalf of a protected individual, may request that a governmental entity:

  (1) Not publish the protected individual's personal information; or

  (2) Remove the protected individual's personal information from any existing publication.

(b) A request made under this section shall:

  (1) Be in writing;

  (2) Be sent by certified mail or by e-mail;

  (3) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, provide sufficient information to confirm that the requester is a protected individual; and

  (4) Adequately identify the document, posting, or other publication containing the personal information.

(c) A request made by the Office of Information Privacy certifies that a requester is a protected individual and no further information may be required to confirm that the requester is a protected individual.

(d) On receipt of a request under subsection (b) of this section, a governmental entity shall promptly acknowledge receipt of the request in writing by certified mail or by e-mail and:

  (1) Take steps reasonably necessary to ensure that the personal information is not published; or

  (2) If the personal information is already published, provide for the removal of the personal information within 72 hours after receipt of the request.

(e) A protected individual or the Office of Information Privacy may bring an action for a violation of this section against a governmental entity for:

  (1) Declaratory relief;

  (2) Injunctive relief; or

  (3) Reasonable attorney's fees.

#### Section 3-2303

(a) A protected individual, or the Office of Information Privacy on behalf of a protected individual, may request that a person who has published the protected individual's personal information remove the protected individual's personal information from publication.

(b) A request made under this section shall:

  (1) Be in writing;

  (2) Be sent by certified mail or by e-mail;

  (3) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, provide sufficient information to confirm that the requester is a protected individual; and

  (4) Adequately identify the document, posting, or other publication containing the personal information.

(c) A request made by the Office of Information Privacy certifies that a requester is a protected individual and no further information may be required to confirm that the requester is a protected individual.

(d) The person to whom the request is made shall:

  (1) Provide for the removal of the personal information within 72 hours after receipt of the request; and

  (2) Notify the protected individual or the Office of Information Privacy by certified mail or by e-mail of the removal.

(e)

  (1) A protected individual or the Office of Information Privacy may bring an action for a violation of this section against a person for:

    (i) Declaratory relief;

    (ii) Injunctive relief;

    (iii) Damages incurred as the result of a violation of this section; or

    (iv) Reasonable attorney's fees.

  (2) In addition to the relief provided under paragraph (1) of this subsection, if a court finds that a person willfully refused to provide for the removal of personal information knowing that the individual on behalf of whom the request was made was a protected individual, the court may award punitive damages.

#### Section 3-2304

(a) An individual may not knowingly publish the personal information of a protected individual if:

  (1) The individual knows or reasonably should know that publishing the personal information poses an imminent and serious threat to the protected individual; and

  (2) The publishing of the personal information results in:

    (i) An assault in any degree;

    (ii) Harassment;

    (iii) Trespass; or

    (iv) Malicious destruction of property.

(b) An individual who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 18 months or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both.

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Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)