Information Technology – State and Higher Education E–Mail – Requirements
HB 718 requires public institutions of higher education in Maryland (excluding Morgan State University, the University System of Maryland, St. Mary’s College, and Baltimore City Community College) to adopt email security policies aligned with state government standards. It mandates that all employee email systems automatically filter spam and non-state-business emails (like unsolicited marketing) while permitting minimal personal use that doesn’t impact resources or violate professional norms. The bill extends existing state IT requirements to these institutions, ensuring email systems support official work only and include specific security measures. This directly affects higher education employees and administrators responsible for managing institutional email systems.
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 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
First - Information Technology – State and Higher Education E–Mail – Requirements
→
Third - Information Technology – State and Higher Education E–Mail – Requirements
·
1 edit
MINOR
The bill was formally adopted and read a second time, moving it closer to becoming law. The text was reformatted to remove internal deletion markers and add standard legislative formatting, such as the Governor's signature line, without altering the actual policy content.
TECHNICAL
Removed internal deletion markers and inserted standard legislative formatting, including the Governor's signature line and committee report status, to reflect the bill's adoption.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 22, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2026
How they voted
35–0
Passed · 14 other
Total votes 49
Mar 22, 2026
D
Democratic36
69% Yea
R
Republican13
76% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
16
Key actions
11
Committee
6
May 12, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 438
executive
Apr 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Motion Special Order until 4/9 (Senator Muse) Adopted
upper
Apr 7, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
upper
Apr 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 22, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (35-0-14)
senate
Mar 18, 2026
Committee
Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Mar 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Appropriations
lower
Mar 3, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (133-0-9)
house of delegates
Feb 2, 2026
Committee
First Reading Appropriations
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Vaughn Stewart
DDemocratic
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 718
Scope: MD
Hi! I can help you understand HB 718. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline