HB 747
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2021 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
First Reader
House Bill 747 (Delegate Brooks)
Economic Matters
Consumer Protection - Internet Event Ticket Sales - Prohibition on Sharing
Personal Information
This bill generally prohibits a ticket seller (i.e., a person who sells tickets for admission to
an entertainment event, including a ticket reseller and a ticket website) from disclosing the
personal information of a purchaser to a third party. However, a ticket seller is authorized
to disclose the personal information of a purchaser to another ticket seller if the ticket seller
enters into an information sharing agreement with the other ticket seller. The personal
information of a purchaser may not be printed on a ticket to an entertainment event unless
the purchaser is able to remove, delete, or fully obscure the personal information without
invalidating the ticket. Violation of the bill is an unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practice
under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act (MCPA), subject to MCPA’s civil and
criminal penalty provisions.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: The bill’s imposition of existing penalty provisions does not have a material
impact on State finances or operations. The Office of the Attorney General, Consumer
Protection Division, can handle the bill’s requirements with existing resources.
Local Effect: The bill’s imposition of existing penalty provisions does not have a material
impact on local government finances or operations.
Small Business Effect: Minimal, assuming small business ticket sellers do not regularly
sell personal information.
 Analysis
Current Law: An “entertainment event” is defined as a performance, recreation,
amusement, diversion, spectacle, show, or any similar event and includes a theatrical or
musical performance, concert, film, game, ride, or sporting event. A “ticket website” means
a website advertising or offering the sale (or resale) of tickets or facilitating a secondary
ticket exchange or electronic marketplace that enables consumers to sell, purchase, and
resell tickets to an entertainment event in the State.
An unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practice under MCPA includes, among other acts,
any false, falsely disparaging, or misleading oral or written statement, visual description,
or other representation of any kind, which has the capacity, tendency, or effect of deceiving
or misleading consumers. The prohibition against engaging in any unfair, abusive, or
deceptive trade practice encompasses the offer for or actual sale, lease, rental, loan, or
bailment of any consumer goods, consumer realty, or consumer services; the extension of
consumer credit; the collection of consumer debt; or the offer for or actual purchase of
consumer goods or consumer realty from a consumer by a merchant whose business
includes paying off consumer debt in connection with the purchase of any consumer goods
or consumer realty from a consumer.
The Consumer Protection Division is responsible for enforcing MCPA and investigating
the complaints of aggrieved consumers. The division may attempt to conciliate the matter,
issue a cease and desist order, or file a civil action in court. A merchant who violates MCPA
is subject to a fine of up to $10,000 for each violation and up to $25,000 for each repetition
of the same violation. In addition to any civil penalties that may be imposed, any person
who violates MCPA is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of
up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment for up to one year.
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: None.
Designated Cross File: None.
Information Source(s): Department of Legislative Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - February 23, 2021
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HB 747/ Page 2
Analysis by: Eric F. Pierce Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
HB 747/ Page 3


Statutes affected:
Text - First - Consumer Protection - Internet Event Ticket Sales - Prohibition on Sharing Personal Information: 13-301 Commercial Law, 14-4001 Commercial Law, 14-4004 Commercial Law