Technology

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 22, 2026

HB 163: County Boards of Education - Student Technology Use Policy - Requirements

HB 163 requires Maryland county school boards to create and adopt policies restricting students' use of personal electronic devices (like smartphones or tablets) during school hours, with specific exceptions for students with individualized education plans (IEPs), documented health needs, or educational activities. The policy must be published online, in school handbooks, and reviewed every two years by the county board or state department. School boards must also establish enforcement procedures, including potential in-school suspensions for violations. This bill directly affects all public school students and county school boards across Maryland, aiming to standardize device use rules while accommodating specific student needs.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts student personal device use during school hours, directly limiting technology access in educational settings per bill's requirements.90% confidence

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 25: Income Tax - Cybersecurity Technology and Service Tax Credit - Alterations

SB 25 creates the "Buy Maryland Cybersecurity Tax Credit," allowing Maryland businesses to claim a 50% tax credit (up to $50,000 annually) for purchasing cybersecurity technology or services from Maryland-based cybersecurity companies meeting specific criteria. The credit is refundable (businesses can get cash if the credit exceeds taxes owed) and requires sellers to be Maryland-headquartered, small businesses (under $10 million revenue), and/or owned by minorities, women, veterans, or located in designated business zones. It limits total credits per seller to $1 million annually and ends all new credits after 2030. This directly affects Maryland businesses buying cybersecurity and qualifying Maryland cybersecurity firms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates refundable 50% tax credit for cybersecurity purchases, providing direct tax relief to businesses under specific criteria.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates tax credit for cybersecurity tech purchases, incentivizing business investment in security measures, directly enhancing cybersecurity protections.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill requires cybersecurity vendors to be veteran-owned to qualify for tax credit, directly supporting veteran entrepreneurship and business ownership opportunities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Procurement Tax Credits Cybersecurity

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 51: Public Schools - Self-Contained Special Education Classrooms - Use of Video Recording Devices

SB 51 requires Maryland county school boards to install video cameras in all self-contained special education classrooms starting in the 2026-2027 school year, with cameras recording all areas except bathrooms and changing spaces during school hours. It mandates clear notice to parents and students, limits video storage to six months (or one year if used in complaints), and restricts access to authorized personnel like school administrators or law enforcement. The bill also requires concealing student identities in recordings unrelated to incidents and prohibits using cameras to monitor staff performance. This directly affects county school boards, special education students, and their families by establishing strict privacy and usage rules for classroom monitoring.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enforces data privacy safeguards (storage limits, access restrictions) for school video recordings, aligning with topic's data privacy focus.85% confidence

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 132: Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance - Intercepted Communications - Admissibility of Evidence

This bill changes Maryland's rules for using wiretapped or electronically intercepted communications as evidence in criminal trials. It allows such evidence in court if the crime involved a victim, the evidence is material to the case, the interception wasn't conducted by Maryland law enforcement, it's more probative than other available evidence, and admitting it serves justice. Prosecutors must also provide the defense with at least 14 days' notice before using this evidence. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSets higher standards for admissibility of intercepted evidence, requiring defense notice and ensuring it serves justice, protecting defendant rights in criminal trials.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill expands admissibility of wiretapped communications in court, making it easier to use privacy-intrusive evidence without strict privacy safeguards, weakening data privacy protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 23, 2026

HB 382: Commercial Law - Broadband Access - Low-Income Consumer Programs (Maryland Broadband Opportunity and Fairness Act)

HB 382 (Maryland Broadband Opportunity and Fairness Act) requires broadband providers serving 10,000+ Maryland customers to establish low-cost internet programs by December 1, 2026. These programs must offer minimum speeds of 100/20 Mbps (for households of two or fewer) or 200/20 Mbps (for larger households), at least 1.2 terabytes of data, and low latency for eligible low-income consumers. Eligibility includes households meeting federal poverty guidelines (350% of federal poverty level), qualifying for SNAP/food assistance, Medicaid, or low-income energy programs. Providers may raise prices by no more than 2% annually with 30 days’ notice, and cannot require automatic payment plans for program enrollment.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires broadband providers to establish low-cost programs with specific speed/data requirements for low-income households, expanding internet access and promoting digital equity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 121: Personal Information - Public Servant Protections

SB 121 would create a program allowing specific public servants and their immediate family members (including prosecutors, law enforcement officers, elected officials, and their spouses/children) to request that government entities or individuals remove their personal information - including home addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, and license plate details - from public online platforms like government websites or social media. The bill requires government entities to remove such information within 72 hours of a written request and establishes legal remedies, including injunctions and attorney fees, for violations. It also imposes criminal penalties for knowingly publishing protected individuals' personal information. This bill, currently pre-filed and awaiting committee hearings, does not yet apply as law.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enables public servants to remove personal data from public online platforms, directly enhancing data privacy protections as defined in the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy Social Media

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 107: Criminal Law – Distribution of Students’ Personal Information – Prohibition

SB 107 prohibits individuals from intentionally sharing students' personal identifying information (like names, addresses, Social Security numbers, or school details) without the student's or parent's consent if the information could cause harm. It directly affects students in secondary schools (grades 6-12) and postsecondary institutions (colleges offering associate/bachelor's degrees). The law allows exceptions for journalists, academic activities, legal disclosures, and safety-related sharing with campus officials. Violations are misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail or a $5,000 fine.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits unauthorized sharing of student personal information in schools, enhancing student privacy and safety - directly protecting educational environments per bill's scope.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits unauthorized sharing of student personal data, directly protecting privacy as a core technology policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Data Privacy

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 19, 2026

SB 112: Gaming - Prohibition on Interactive Games and Revenue From Illegal Markets

SB 112 prohibits operating, conducting, or promoting "interactive games" (like online casino-style games) in Maryland. It requires gaming license applicants and licensees to annually report business relationships with entities supporting such games and disclose any revenue from jurisdictions where interactive gaming is banned. The State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission can deny licenses, revoke existing licenses, or impose sanctions if applicants or licensees knowingly accept revenue from illegal gaming markets. This bill directly affects gaming businesses seeking or holding licenses in Maryland, aiming to block connections to prohibited gaming activities.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill explicitly prohibits interactive gaming (tech-based service), restricting a specific technology application per its core prohibition language.95% confidence

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 556: Property Tax Credit - Utility Service Expenses for Dwellings (Maryland Family Utility Tax Relief Act)

HB 556 creates a property tax credit for Maryland households that spend a significant portion of their income on utilities. It allows Baltimore City or local counties to grant a credit against property taxes for "eligible individuals" who pay at least 25% of their household net income on utility services (electricity, gas, water, or internet) for their primary residence. Local governments would determine the credit amount, duration, and additional eligibility rules through their own ordinances. The credit applies to property taxes on the dwelling, not utility bills directly, and would take effect for taxable years starting after June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates property tax credit reducing burden for low/middle-income households spending 25%+ on utilities, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides property tax credit for households spending 25%+ income on utilities, reducing housing cost burden and supporting affordability for eligible residents.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyIncludes internet as eligible utility for tax credit, reducing cost burden for low-income households and promoting affordable internet access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Property Taxes

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 19, 2026

HB 120: Moratorium on Construction of New Data Centers - Co-Location and Generation Contingency

HB 120 imposes a statewide ban on constructing new data centers and prohibits local governments from approving such projects. It directly affects developers seeking to build new facilities and local planning authorities. The ban automatically ends if the legislature passes new laws requiring all new data centers to be co-located with power generation facilities (like natural gas, nuclear, or small modular reactors) that provide sufficient energy. Existing projects with all required permits before the law takes effect are exempt. The bill is designed as a temporary measure until more comprehensive energy co-location rules are enacted.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill permits natural gas power co-location for data centers, prioritizing industry over clean energy and enabling fossil fuel reliance, which increases emissions and weakens environmental protections.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBan on new data center construction directly restricts tech infrastructure expansion, limiting new technology facilities and development.90% confidence

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