Privacy Law Library

Maryland visual surveillance and hidden camera crimes

MD Visual Surveillance Law

Other

These laws make it a crime to watch or record people without consent in retail dressing rooms and restrooms, to conduct surreptitious surveillance with prurient intent of people in private places or of their private areas, and to place a camera on residential property to secretly observe people inside a home. Each gives victims a civil claim. A 2025 amendment (ch. 153) extended 3-902 to camera surveillance of private areas regardless of location.

Where

Maryland

Citation

Md. Code, Crim. Law §§ 3-901 to 3-903

Status

In force

Last amended

2025-10-01

Enforced by

State's Attorneys (criminal); private civil actions by individuals surveilled

People can sue

Yes

Penalties

Retail dressing room or restroom surveillance without consent: misdemeanor up to 30 days and $1,000 (3-901(d)). Prurient visual surveillance in a private place or of private areas: up to 1 year and $2,500 (3-902(d)). Hidden camera to observe inside a private residence: up to 1 year and $2,500 (3-903(d)). Victims may recover damages and attorney's fees under each section.

Applies to

• Any person conducting visual surveillance (direct sight, mirrors, cameras, or surreptitious electronic devices), including owners of the premises (3-901(e), 3-903(e))
• Exceptions include lawful law enforcement surveillance, non-prurient media filming, and non-prurient security or licensed investigator surveillance (3-901(b), 3-902(b), 3-903(b))