Senator's Bill Would Ban Balloon Releases [View all]

Letting a balloon float away in Maryland would draw in a fine of $250, under a bill sponsored by Sen. Clarence K. Lam. The legislation is similar to a current Queen Anne’s County law.

Lam (D-Baltimore, Howard) said he hopes the bill does two things: reduces the amount of waste that ends up in the environment and raises awareness of the need to properly dispose of balloons.

He said there would be a $250 civil fine for each act of intentionally releasing a balloon, but no one would go to prison for it because it’s not considered a criminal offense.

Lam said the proposed law, unlike in Queen Anne’s County, would not allow biodegradable balloons.

Read more: https://www.marylandmatters.org/2019/11/27/lams-bill-would-ban-balloon-releases/