Technology

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 718: 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.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates email security policies and spam filtering for public institutions, enhancing cybersecurity and protecting data privacy by reducing exposure to malicious emails.95% confidence

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 375: County Boards of Education - Artificial Intelligence Training Program - Requirement

SB 375 requires Maryland's State Department of Education to create an annual artificial intelligence training program for county board of education members. The program includes foundational training (covering AI risks, policy development, student privacy, and oversight) and yearly continuing training on new AI developments. County board members must complete foundational training within one year of taking office or by June 30, 2027, and annual training thereafter. The bill mandates submission of completion certificates to county boards and the state department, with public reporting of non-completers and biennial effectiveness reports to the legislature.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates AI training for school board members on policy, privacy, and oversight, strengthening educational leadership capacity to address emerging tech challenges in schools.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates AI training for education boards on student privacy and oversight, directly strengthening data privacy protections in educational AI implementation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 351: Private Passenger Motor Vehicle Insurance - Use of Programs That Measure the Operation of an Insured Vehicle

SB 351 requires Maryland auto insurers to disclose when they use programs that track driving behavior (like speed or braking) and establish clear processes for policyholders to correct errors in that data. It limits the types and amount of driving data insurers can collect, bans using such data to cancel policies or refuse renewals, and prohibits insurers from raising premiums in increments of less than six months after a policy starts. The law also mandates insurers to adopt governance plans to prevent unfair discrimination in how driving data affects rates. These changes apply to all private passenger vehicle insurance policies in Maryland, taking effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates insurer data collection for driving behavior, requiring disclosure, error correction, and limiting use - directly protects consumer data privacy per topic description.95% confidence

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 485: Public Health - Women's Health Care Data - Report

SB 485 requires the Maryland Department of Health to create a system for collecting annual data on the costs of specific women's health services, including prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, abortion, and menopausal care. Hospitals, healthcare providers, and other entities offering these services must report aggregated cost data (without identifying individual patients) to comply with privacy laws. The collected data will be used to assess financial impacts on patients and providers, inform health policy decisions, and evaluate how effectively public and private funds are spent. The bill specifically mandates that abortion cost data be reported in aggregated form only, excluding procedure-level details.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires privacy-compliant aggregated data collection for health services, directly aligning with data privacy protections as specified in the topic.95% confidence

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 566: Criminal Law – Distribution of Students’ Personal Information – Prohibition

HB 566 prohibits distributing a student's personal details - such as name, address, Social Security number, or school address - without their explicit consent (or a parent/guardian's consent if the student is under 18). It specifically targets situations where the distribution is done with intent to cause harm (like physical injury, serious emotional distress, or economic damage) or with reckless disregard for that risk. The law applies to students in secondary schools (grades 6-12) or postsecondary institutions and carries misdemeanor penalties of up to one year in jail or a $5,000 fine for violations. Exceptions include journalistic reporting, academic activities, and disclosures required for campus safety or legal compliance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates criminal prohibition for misuse of student personal information causing harm, protecting civil rights within criminal justice framework.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects student privacy in educational settings by prohibiting unauthorized sharing of personal information, enhancing safety and trust in schools.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits unauthorized sharing of student personal data without consent, directly protecting data privacy - a core technology policy area.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Higher Education School Safety Data Privacy

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 8: Criminal Law - Identity Fraud - Artificial Intelligence and Deepfake Representations

SB 8 prohibits using personal identifying information (like Social Security numbers or bank details) or AI-generated deepfakes - defined as computer images indistinguishable from real people - to cause harm, such as physical injury, emotional distress, or financial loss. It bans maliciously disclosing personal details via online services, assuming another’s identity for fraud (e.g., accessing healthcare or avoiding debt), and using devices that copy payment card data without consent. The law directly affects individuals or entities exploiting personal data or deepfakes for fraudulent gain, harassment, or harm. Victims may pursue civil lawsuits against violators, and the bill updates Maryland’s criminal law to address emerging threats from AI and deepfake technology.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits identity fraud and deepfakes causing harm, strengthening criminal law enforcement against tech-enabled crimes.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits AI deepfakes and misuse of personal data for fraud, directly enhancing data privacy and cybersecurity protections as defined in topic indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Data Privacy Digital Government

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 201: Public Utilities - Transmission Lines - Advanced Transmission Technologies

SB 201 modifies Maryland's requirements for approving new overhead transmission lines over 69,000 volts. It requires applicants to include specific details in their applications and mandates the Public Service Commission to consider certain evidence before approving projects. The bill also adds new reporting obligations for owners/operators of existing transmission lines. It defines "advanced transmission technologies" to include grid-enhancing tools, high-performance conductors, and energy storage used for transmission. These changes directly affect electric companies planning or operating high-voltage transmission infrastructure in Maryland.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill defines 'advanced transmission technologies' to include energy storage and grid tools, enabling cleaner energy integration and modern infrastructure upgrades.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes 'advanced transmission technologies' including energy storage, enabling cleaner grid integration and efficiency, aligning with environmental goals without explicit language.80% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly defines and mandates consideration of 'advanced transmission technologies' including grid tools and energy storage, promoting their adoption in utility infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Transmission Utility Regulation

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 482: Criminal Law - Interference With Critical Infrastructure or a Public Safety Answering Point

SB 482 makes it a crime to intentionally access or interfere with computer systems supporting critical infrastructure (like emergency services, utilities, or public safety answering points) with the intent to disrupt operations. It prohibits unauthorized access, ransomware attacks, or sharing access codes to such systems, specifically targeting acts meant to impair public safety services. The law applies to individuals who disrupt or deny access to systems vital for public security, health, transportation, or utilities. It amends Maryland’s criminal code to clarify penalties for these specific cyber-related interferences.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill criminalizes unauthorized access/ransomware targeting critical infrastructure systems, directly enhancing cybersecurity protections for public safety services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 64: Legal Advertisement or Legal Notice - Publication in Newspaper or Newspaper in General Circulation - Digital Newspapers

This bill updates Maryland law to allow qualified digital news outlets to publish legal notices and advertisements previously requiring print newspapers. To qualify, digital publications must produce original local news content (at least one weekly article), employ staff dedicated to local reporting (30+ hours/week), and meet IRS criteria if tax-exempt. It affects counties and municipalities requiring legal notices (e.g., property sales, public hearings) and digital news organizations seeking to publish such notices. The law maintains existing print publication requirements while expanding acceptable platforms for public notice.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly allows digital news outlets to replace print for legal notices, advancing digital media adoption in official communications.90% confidence

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 378: Public Libraries - Young Readers Matching Grant Program, Funding, and Services

SB 378 updates Maryland's funding formula for regional library resource centers and county public libraries, increasing per-resident funding from $8.75 (2022) to $11.58 (2032 and beyond) for regional centers, and from $17.10 (2022) to $22.37 (2032 and beyond) for county libraries. It requires each public library to offer at least one new service, such as early childhood literacy programs, digital equity initiatives, or mental health support, by partnering with community organizations. The bill also mandates that libraries adopt written policies meeting state standards to receive state funding, with the Comptroller withholding funds for non-compliance. These changes affect all 23 Maryland county library systems and their regional resource centers, directly impacting how they allocate state funds and deliver services. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state funding for public libraries by raising per-resident allocations from $8.75 to $11.58 (regional) and $17.10 to $22.37 (county), directly advancing public service budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases library funding for educational services and mandates new programs like early childhood literacy, directly advancing educational access and community learning resources.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires libraries to offer digital equity initiatives, advancing access to technology and internet resources per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Libraries School Funding