Moore Vetoes SB 426 (June 3, 2026): MD Divorce Records Stay Public

On June 3, 2026, Maryland Governor Wes Moore vetoed Senate Bill 426, legislation that would have shielded divorce applications, financial settlements, and custody orders from public-records requests. The veto means Maryland divorce filings remain fully accessible to the public, and any spouse filing in Maryland today should assume their case details can be viewed by anyone.

Key Facts

Why this veto matters legally

This veto keeps Maryland divorce records open to the public, preserving the default rule that court filings are presumptively accessible. SB 426 would have carved out divorce applications, financial disclosures, and custody orders as categorical exemptions from public inspection. With the bill dead, that categorical privacy shield does not exist, and Marylanders must rely on the existing, narrower mechanism: filing a motion to seal specific documents on a case-by-case basis.

The legislation arose after a constituent reported receiving death threats once their divorce records were posted online, according to Maryland Matters. That fact pattern highlights the real tension here: court transparency versus personal safety. Maryland courts have long treated open records as a public-accountability safeguard, and the veto reaffirms that the General Assembly, not the executive, must draw any new privacy line. A possible override vote remains on the table, so the issue is not permanently settled.

For now, the practical effect is concrete. Sensitive details — income figures, bank balances, retirement account values, parenting schedules, and home addresses — that appear in a Maryland divorce file can be requested and viewed by employers, opposing parties, journalists, data brokers, or anyone with an internet connection. That reality changes how careful filers should be about what they put in the record.

How Maryland law handles divorce-record access

Maryland treats court records as presumptively public under Maryland Rule 16-901, which establishes that case records are open for inspection unless sealed or shielded by a specific rule or court order. Divorce, custody, and support filings fall within this presumption. SB 426 would have overridden that presumption for family cases, but the veto leaves Rule 16-901 fully in force.

Marylanders who need privacy must use the targeted tools that already exist rather than a blanket exemption. Under Maryland Rule 16-934, a party may file a motion to seal or limit inspection of a specific court record, and the court weighs the requesting party's interest against the public's right of access. Financial statements filed under Md. Code, Family Law § 8-205 — the statute governing the equitable distribution of marital property — often contain the most sensitive data, yet they are not automatically sealed. A separate motion is required.

Maryland also protects certain categories independently of any divorce-specific bill. Address-confidentiality protections exist for survivors of domestic violence through the Safe at Home program, and protective-order records carry their own handling rules. But these are narrow, eligibility-based protections — not the broad family-law exemption SB 426 proposed. The distinction matters: most divorcing spouses do not qualify for survivor-based confidentiality programs and would have benefited only from the now-vetoed categorical shield.

Because Maryland custody and support determinations turn on detailed financial and personal disclosures, the open-records default means the evidentiary file is largely public. Parents litigating parenting arrangements should understand that schedules, allegations, and financial affidavits entered into the record can be accessed unless a judge specifically orders otherwise.

Practical takeaways for Maryland filers

1. Assume your divorce file is public. Until any override vote changes the law, treat every document you file in a Maryland divorce as accessible to the public. Do not include unnecessary identifiers — full account numbers, Social Security numbers, or minor children's full birthdates should be redacted or omitted where the rules allow.

2. File a motion to seal sensitive records under Maryland Rule 16-934 if you have a specific safety or financial concern. The court will not seal records automatically; you must ask and justify the request against the public-access presumption.

3. Use Maryland's Safe at Home address-confidentiality program if you are a domestic-violence survivor. This protects your address from appearing in public records and is separate from the failed SB 426 exemption.

4. Limit detail in financial affidavits to what the rules and your case actually require. Financial statements tied to property division under Md. Code, Family Law § 8-205 are part of the public file unless sealed.

5. Watch for a legislative override. Because the veto leaves an active policy debate, the General Assembly could revisit SB 426. Monitor the bill's status if record privacy is a priority for your situation.

6. Consult a Maryland family-law attorney before filing if privacy is a serious concern. A lawyer can structure disclosures, request sealing where appropriate, and advise on what must legally appear in the record versus what can be withheld.

If you are navigating a Maryland divorce and worried about who can see your records, talking with a qualified Maryland family-law attorney can help you understand your sealing options and protect sensitive information within the bounds of the open-records rules. You can explore Maryland-specific divorce resources and connect with attorneys serving your county through divorce.law.

This article discusses recent news and provides general legal commentary. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a qualified family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.