HB 1335 requires Maryland's Department of Information Technology to hire an outside expert to conduct a study on state IT and cybersecurity workforce compensation. The study must compare salaries of state IT professionals with federal, local, and private-sector roles, evaluate the impact of current pay adjustments and benefits, and provide recommendations to improve recruitment and retention. The department must submit the findings to the Governor and legislature by November 1, 2027, and the law expires automatically on June 30, 2028. This bill does not change pay rates but mandates research to inform future decisions affecting state IT and cybersecurity staff.
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.
SB 597 establishes the Maryland Artificial Intelligence Partnership within the University System of Maryland to serve as a central hub for coordinating AI initiatives across the state. It creates an Artificial Intelligence Incubation Lab to help state agencies adopt AI responsibly, and redesignates the Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship Program as the Emerging Technology Public Service Scholarship Program to include AI training. The bill also requires Morgan State University's Center for Equitable AI to support state agencies with AI research. These changes directly affect Maryland public university students (through expanded scholarship eligibility), state agencies (via lab support), and the University System of Maryland (as host for the Partnership and Lab).
HB 810 establishes a two-year pilot program within Maryland's State Department of Assessments and Taxation to explore using blockchain technology for real property ownership records. The program, limited to up to three counties, will create a blockchain registry allowing property owners to opt in and receive digital titles that law enforcement and courts can verify in real time to resolve disputes like squatting. It requires the Department to coordinate with courts, police, and the Attorney General to develop secure systems, test smart contracts for title transfers, and educate users. The pilot must begin by January 1, 2027, and conclude with a final report by December 31, 2028, before the program automatically expires on July 1, 2029.
SB 720, the "Artificial Intelligence Ready Schools Act," requires Maryland’s State Department of Education to create and maintain online guidance for schools, educators, parents, and students on the safe, ethical, and equitable use of AI in K-12 education. It mandates county school boards to adopt AI policies within 120 days of guidance release, designate AI coordinators, and procure AI tools aligned with state standards. The bill also requires Morgan State University to annually certify AI tools and establishes statewide teacher training in AI literacy by July 2027, with compensation for educators participating. Local school systems must integrate AI into workforce preparation standards by June 2027, coordinated with the Maryland Center for Computing Education. The law directly affects all Maryland public schools, educators, students, and technology vendors supplying educational AI tools.
HB 288 authorizes Maryland's State Superintendent of Schools to declare a prolonged state of emergency when school closures prevent in-person attendance for 14+ consecutive days. It requires county school boards to create detailed virtual education plans before emergencies occur, covering instruction, staffing, technology, student support, and return-to-school protocols. These plans must be updated every two years and approved by the State Board. The bill aims to ensure a structured transition to remote learning during extended school disruptions, taking effect July 2026.
This bill establishes the Maryland Advanced Manufacturing Grant Program within the Maryland Technology Development Corporation to support companies specializing in regenerative medicine and other advanced manufacturing sectors. The program will provide grants that recipients can use exclusively for acquiring or renovating manufacturing space, improving infrastructure, and purchasing necessary equipment. A dedicated fund will be created to hold grant money, with interest earnings credited back to the fund rather than the state's general fund. The Corporation will work with the Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission to set eligibility criteria, application procedures, and award amounts, with the program taking effect on July 1, 2026.
SB 763 establishes the Maryland Growth Initiative within the Maryland Technology Development Corporation to support early-stage companies transitioning from startup development to scaling. It creates a dedicated $5 million annual fund from state budget appropriations (reinforced by interest earnings and private investment) to provide post-seed funding, helping qualifying companies grow in Maryland without relocating. The initiative must prioritize companies that previously received funding from the corporation or are minority-owned businesses, while maintaining a curated list of eligible firms between startup and scaling phases. The fund operates as a non-lapsing account, with all interest earnings automatically added back to the fund.
HB 898, the DECADE Act, reorganizes Maryland's economic development programs to streamline administration and expand incentives. It redesignates the Economic Development Opportunities Program Account as the "Strategic Closing Fund" under the Department of Commerce, alters eligibility and calculation rules for tax credits (including Job Creation, R&D, and film production credits), and extends the Build Our Future Grant Pilot Program. The bill allows pass-through entities to allocate tax credits to members and removes limits on film production tax credit certificates. These changes directly affect businesses, investors, and film producers seeking state economic development incentives.
HB 1239 establishes a Critical Infrastructure Protection Branch within Maryland’s Coordination and Analysis Center to enhance state-wide security planning. It requires the Department of Emergency Management to coordinate responses to infrastructure attacks and sets cybersecurity reporting standards for critical infrastructure owners (like utility companies and hospitals). The bill also allows these private sector operators to join Maryland’s Information Sharing and Analysis Center to share threat data and receive security best practices. These provisions aim to improve threat identification, vulnerability assessments, and cross-sector coordination for systems vital to public safety and the economy.
