The PACE Act limits when prosecutors can cite rap lyrics, a practice critics say stifles free speech and stokes racial bias. As a Maryland State flag flies in the foreground, the Maryland State House is seen on August 21, 2023 in Annapolis, Maryland. Alex Wong/Getty Images Trending on Billboard Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed a new law Tuesday (May 12) restricting when prosecutors can rely on rap lyrics as criminal evidence, marking the latest legislative victory for opponents of the controversial practice. At a signing ceremony in Annapolis, Moore formally greenlit the Protecting Artists’ Creative Expression (PACE) Act, a law passed last month that allows authorities to use rap lyrics and other “creative expression” as criminal evidence only in limited circumstances. Related Critics say using rap lyrics as evidence stifles free speech by penalizing creative expression, and that it can unfairly sway juries by stoking racial bias against young Black men.…