Baltimore FR Ban (Expired)
Baltimore Private-Sector Facial Recognition Ban (Ordinance 21-038) — EXPIRED
Baltimore, MD · Baltimore, Md., Council Bill 21-0001 (2021) (expired Dec. 31, 2022)
- Status
- Expired
- Took effect
- September 8, 2021
- Applies to
- Private entities, individuals, and city agencies in Baltimore (while in effect)
- Enforced by
- City of Baltimore (criminal enforcement, while in effect)
Baltimore's 2021 ordinance banned private entities and individuals (and most city agencies) from using face surveillance systems, with criminal penalties. It contained a sunset clause and EXPIRED on December 31, 2022 when the City Council did not extend it. As of June 2026 the ban is no longer in effect; 2023 successor bills were not confirmed as enacted.
Who is protected: Persons within Baltimore city limits (while in effect)
Legal detail
Baltimore City Council Bill 21-0001 (effective Sept. 8, 2021) prohibited obtaining, retaining, accessing, or using face surveillance systems within city limits, exempting biometric access-control systems; sunset Dec. 31, 2022 absent extension.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Baltimore, MD |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Enacted | August 9, 2021 |
| Citation | Baltimore, Md., Council Bill 21-0001 (2021) (expired Dec. 31, 2022) |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Misdemeanor; fines and possible imprisonment (while in effect) |
| Topics | facial recognition · biometric data · consumer data privacy · consumer protection · police and surveillance AI |
| Agency page | Baltimore's Ban on Private Sector Use of Facial Recognition Technology Expires (Hunton) |
More AI rules in Baltimore, MD
- Baltimore Data Center Moratorium · In effect
- Baltimore City Public Schools · In effect
Related facial recognition rules elsewhere
- Virginia § 15.2-1723.2 (facial recognition by local law enforcement, eff. July 1, 2026) · In effect
- Bristol VA PD facial recognition program (first VA local agency) · In effect
- Dallas PD Clearview AI facial recognition policy · In effect
- Ban biometric recognition in public accommodations (Ban The Scan) · Proposed / pending
- Limit facial recognition in residential buildings (Ban The Scan) · Proposed / pending
- Texas v. Google · In effect
See something wrong or out of date? Submit a correction. Every entry must carry a verifiable source.