Maryland Commercial Law Section 14-3402

CAUTION: READ FULL TEXT OF SECTION FOR SPECIAL NOTE

** SPECIAL NOTE: EFFECTIVE - JANUARY 1, 2006 - CHAPTER 521 - 2005 **

      (a)      Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, a person may not:

            (1)      Publicly post or display an individual's Social Security number;

            (2)      Print an individual's Social Security number on a card required for the individual to access products or services provided by the person;

            (3)      Require an individual to transmit the individual's Social Security number over the Internet unless the connection is secure or the individual's Social Security number is encrypted;

            (4)      Initiate the transmission of an individual's Social Security number over the Internet unless the connection is secure or the Social Security number is encrypted;

            (5)      Require an individual to use the individual's Social Security number to access an Internet website, unless a password, unique personal identification number, or other authentication device is also required to access the website; or

            (6)      Unless required by State or federal law:

                  (i)      Print an individual's Social Security number on any material that is mailed to the individual;

                  (ii)      Include an individual's Social Security number in any material that is electronically transmitted to the individual, unless the connection is secure or the individual's Social Security number is encrypted; or

                  (iii)      Include an individual's Social Security number in any material that is transmitted by facsimile to the individual.

      (b)      This section does not apply to:

            (1)      The collection, release, or use of an individual's Social Security number as required by State or federal law;

            (2)      The inclusion of an individual's Social Security number in an application, form, or document sent by mail, electronically transmitted, or transmitted by facsimile:

                  (i)      As part of an application or enrollment process;

                  (ii)      To establish, amend, or terminate an account, contract, or policy; or

                  (iii)      To confirm the accuracy of the individual's Social Security number;

            (3)      The use of an individual's Social Security number for internal verification or administrative purposes; or

            (4)      An interactive computer service provider's or a telecommunications provider's transmission or routing of, or intermediate temporary storage or caching of, an individual's Social Security number.

      (c)      This section does not impose a duty on an interactive computer service provider or a telecommunications provider actively to monitor its service or affirmatively to seek evidence of the transmission of Social Security numbers on its service.