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Hidden camera laws by state

Hidden camera laws in Maryland

The actual statute, in plain English — not a paraphrase of a paraphrase.

The statute

Md. Code, Criminal Law § 3-902 (Visual Surveillance With Prurient Intent)

What it prohibits

Maryland bars, with prurient intent, conducting (or procuring another to conduct) visual surveillance — by direct sight, mirror, camera, or other device — of a person in a "private place" without consent, or secretly photographing/recording a person’s private area under clothing where they reasonably believed it would not be visible to the public. "Private place" covers rooms such as bedrooms, restrooms, dressing rooms, and similar spaces in offices, stores, hotels, schools, and other establishments where a person can reasonably expect to disrobe in private. The statute was amended effective October 1, 2025 (HB 437) to explicitly include a residence within "private place" and to add a civil-suit remedy for victims.

Penalty

Misdemeanor — imprisonment up to 1 year, a fine up to $2,500, or both.

This is general public information, not legal advice, verified against the statute text linked below as of this writing — legislatures amend these laws periodically (Florida renamed its own statute in 2024). If this matters for a real situation, read the current text yourself or talk to a lawyer: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcr§ion=3-902. Separately, recording audio of a conversation is governed by a different law (wiretap/eavesdropping statutes, which vary by state on whether one party or all parties must consent) — this page covers image/video capture only.

If you've actually found something, the statute matters less than what you do next: read the six steps here.

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Other states

MinnesotaMinn. Stat. § 609.746 (Interference with Privacy) MissouriMo. Rev. Stat. § 565.252 (Invasion of Privacy) Oklahoma21 Okla. Stat. § 1171(B) (Peeping Tom — Use of Photographic, Electronic or Video Equipment) WisconsinWis. Stat. § 942.09 (Representations Depicting Nudity) CaliforniaPenal Code § 647(j) TexasPenal Code § 21.15 (Invasive Visual Recording) New YorkPenal Law § 250.45 (Unlawful Surveillance, Second Degree) FloridaFla. Stat. § 810.145 — renamed “Digital Voyeurism” in a 2024 amendment