HB 711 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Data Privacy - Consumer Data, Public Records, and Message Switching System (Data Privacy Act)

HB 711, the Data Privacy Act, prohibits businesses from selling consumer data they know or should know will be used for immigration enforcement. It requires public record custodians to prevent unauthorized access to records, especially for immigration purposes, and mandates reasonable rules to block such access. The bill also defines "sensitive data" to include immigration status, health information, racial background, and biometric data, requiring entities to handle this data carefully. Additionally, it sets new rules for message switching systems (like messaging apps) to prevent misuse of user data. These changes directly affect businesses handling consumer data, government record keepers, and digital service providers in Maryland.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Signed May 31, 2026
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What changed between versions

First - Data Privacy - Consumer Data, Public Records, and Message Switching System (Data Privacy Act) Third - Data Privacy - Consumer Data, Public Records, and Message Switching System (Data Privacy Act) · 9 edits
MAJOR
The bill was amended to strengthen data privacy protections by adding specific restrictions on selling consumer data to government entities involved in immigration enforcement. Additionally, the definition of 'Publicly available information' was expanded to include data obtained from government records only if strict usage restrictions are followed, and the definition of 'Sensitive Attribute' was updated to explicitly list 'Citizenship or immigration status' as a protected category.
Scope change
The bill's scope was narrowed regarding data sales by adding a prohibition on selling data to governmental units that have engaged in or supported civil immigration enforcement under certain circumstances.
REQUIREMENT

Added a prohibition on selling consumer data to governmental units that have engaged in or supported civil immigration enforcement.

DEFINITION

Modified the definition of 'Publicly available information' to require compliance with government-imposed usage restrictions when obtaining data from government records.

Updated the definition of 'Sensitive Attribute' to explicitly include 'Citizenship or immigration status' as a protected category.

Changed the definition of 'Sensitive Attribute' to use the term 'Attribute' instead of 'data' in the section header.

Revised the definition of 'Precise geolocation data' to remove the bracketed text '[within a radius of 1,750 feet]' and replace it with 'A MOBILE DEVICE, OR A VEHICLE'.

Corrected the definition of 'Publicly available information' to change 'IF THE PERSON PROCESSES...' to 'IF THE PERSON PROCESSES... COMPLIES WITH EACH RESTRICTION...' and 'GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY' to 'THAT THE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY IMPOSES...'.

Reformatted the list of sensitive attributes by adding numbering (1. through 8.) to the sub-items.

Added a new subsection (P-1) defining 'DIVISION' to refer to Section 13-101 of the article.

Updated the repeal and reenactment list to include Section 14-4701(w) and (w).

Floor votes · Senate Mar 27, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2026

How they voted

308
Passed · 11 other
Total votes 49
Mar 27, 2026
D Democratic36
28 Yea 8
77% Yea
R Republican13
2 Yea 8 Nay 3
61% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
17
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Amendments
1
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Apr 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Finance
upper
Mar 27, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (30-8-11)
senate
Mar 23, 2026
Committee
Referred Finance
upper
Mar 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 20, 2026
Introduced
Floor Amendment {
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Motion Special Order until 03/20 (Delegate Hornberger) Adopted
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Economic Matters
lower
Mar 9, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (95-35-12)
house of delegates
Feb 2, 2026
Committee
First Reading Economic Matters
lower
3 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors