MD HB1212

Requires all tablets and smartphones manufactured on or after January 1, 2026 and activated in Maryland to automatically enable a filter preventing minors (under 18) from accessing obscene material through internet browsers and search engines

Parents or legal guardians may disable the filter or unblock websites after providing age verification, and can create a password to reactivate it; no other person may deactivate the filter for a minor

Manufacturers face civil and criminal liability if devices fail to enable compliant filters upon activation and a minor accesses obscene material, with penalties up to $5,000 per violation and $50,000 aggregate; a "good faith effort" defense is available

Non-parents who disable a minor's filter face fines up to $5,000 for first offense, and up to 1 year imprisonment or $50,000 fine for subsequent offenses

Parents may file private lawsuits against non-compliant manufacturers or persons who disable filters, with potential recovery of actual damages, $50,000 liquidated damages per violation, punitive damages, and attorney's fees; class actions are permitted for knowing and willful violations