Maryland House Bill HB444

Maryland 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/25
• Refer: 1/16/25

Caption

Criminal Law – Interference With Critical Infrastructure or a Public Safety Answering Point – Penalties

Impact

If enacted, HB 444 will introduce significant penalties for violations, distinguishing between felonies and misdemeanors based on the financial impact of the crime. For instance, actions resulting in aggregate losses of $10,000 or more would be categorized as a felony with penalties reaching up to 10 years of imprisonment and substantial fines. This creates a structured legal framework for addressing cyber offenses against critical sectors, which supports the state's goals of enhancing cybersecurity measures.

Summary

House Bill 444 is a legislative proposal concerning criminal law, specifically targeting interference with critical infrastructure and public safety answering points. The bill sets forth specific prohibitions against actions aimed at denying authorized access to critical infrastructure or interrupting its functionality. By defining terms related to such infrastructure and the unauthorized actions against it, the bill aims to establish clearer legal standards for prosecuting cyber crimes that threaten these vital systems.

Contention

The bill may face scrutiny concerning its breadth and the potential implications for legitimate activities that involve access to computers or networks. There are concerns that the language used could inadvertently criminalize certain types of behavior, particularly in sectors related to technology and research. Moreover, the balance between enhancing security measures and preserving responsible innovation in the field of technology will be a critical point of contention as discussions around the bill progress.