Maryland SB180 allows fair housing testers to intercept oral communications for evidence of housing discrimination.

Maryland SB180 modifies the state's laws on electronic surveillance to permit fair housing testers to intercept oral communications. This is allowed if the tester is part of a program operated by the federal government, the state, a local government, or a nonprofit civil rights organization. The interception must be for the purpose of obtaining evidence of a fair housing violation under federal, state, or local law. The contents of the intercepted communication and any derived evidence cannot be used in court unless specific conditions are met. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maryland SB180 allows fair housing testers to intercept oral communications for evidence of housing discrimination.

Maryland SB180 modifies the state's laws on electronic surveillance to permit fair housing testers to intercept oral communications. This is allowed if the tester is part of a program operated by the federal government, the state, a local government, or a nonprofit civil rights organization. The interception must be for the purpose of obtaining evidence of a fair housing violation under federal, state, or local law. The contents of the intercepted communication and any derived evidence cannot be used in court unless specific conditions are met. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.