Under the law, effective October 1, 2021, a person may not knowingly and intentionally release or cause a balloon to be released into the atmosphere. Mass balloon releases are illegal in several states, cities, and countries.The new Maryland law bans the releasing of balloons that, upon landing, create litter and threaten the health and safety of animals on the land in the water. Montgomery County Councilmember Tom Hucker introduced a bill that will ban the release of helium filled latex or mylar balloons that is causing environmental A bipartisan measure that would impose a statewide ban on intentional releases of heliumfilled balloons. The Maryland state legislature has passed balloon ban legislation which is currently waiting for the Governor's signature.