Section 14-3402 - Display of Social Security number prohibited. - Maryland Statutes

§ 14-3402. Display of Social Security number prohibited.
 

(a)  In general.- 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)  Applicability of section.- 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)  Exceptions.- 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. 
 

[2005, ch. 521, § 1.]