Maryland CSAM Law (computer-generated images)
Maryland Criminal Law 11-208 — Child Sexual Abuse Material Including Computer-Generated Images
Maryland · Md. Code, Crim. Law 11-208
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- October 1, 2023
- Applies to
- Any person in Maryland who could possess, retain, access, or view child sexual abuse material.
- Enforced by
- Maryland state and local prosecutors (Office of the Attorney General and State's Attorneys); courts.
Maryland's child sexual abuse material statute reaches not only real photographs of children but also computer-generated images that an ordinary person could not tell apart from an actual, identifiable child under the age of 16. It is a crime to knowingly possess and intentionally retain, or to knowingly access and intentionally view, such material showing a child engaged in sexual conduct. Pure drawings, cartoons, sculptures, and paintings are excluded.
Who is protected: Children, specifically minors under the age of 16 depicted in or simulated by such material.
Legal detail
Md. Code, Crim. Law 11-208 defines an image 'indistinguishable from an actual and identifiable child' to include a computer-generated image created, adapted, or modified to appear as an actual, identifiable child under 16, and applies the existing possession/viewing offense to such images.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Maryland |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | May 3, 2023 |
| Citation | Md. Code, Crim. Law 11-208 |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | A first violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 5 years in prison, a fine up to $2,500, or both; a subsequent violation is a felony punishable by up to 10 years, a fine up to $10,000, or both. |
| Topics | children's online safety · AI-generated images |
| Statute | Maryland Annotated Code, Criminal Law 11-208 |
More AI rules in Maryland
- MD HB 1339 (Automated Decision Systems, 2026) · In effect
- Maryland AI Ready Schools Act, SB 720 (2026) · In effect
- Maryland EO 01.01.2026.16 data center framework (2026) · In effect
- Maryland Online Data Privacy Act · In effect
- MD NCII Deepfake Law · In effect
- Maryland AI Governance Act (2024) · In effect
Related children's online safety rules elsewhere
- PA v. Character.AI (Fake Psychiatrist Chatbot) · Blocked / in litigation
- RI AI Companion Self-Harm Safety (2026) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (KIDS Act) (H.R. 7757) · Proposed / pending
- Oregon SB 1546 (AI companion chatbot disclosure + private right of action) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- xAI v. Harwood (Grok NCII Counter-Suit 2026) · Blocked / in litigation
- Blanchester OH schools AI policy EDEC (Jun. 29, 2026) · In effect
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