Technology

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 13, 2026

HB 1562: Consumer Protection - Telecommunications Service Outage - Automatic Credit (Automatic Telecommunications Service Outage Credit Act)

HB 1562 requires Maryland telecommunications providers (like phone and internet companies) to automatically apply a service disruption credit to affected customers' accounts during outages lasting at least 3 consecutive hours that impact primary service locations. The credit must be at least one day's worth of the customer's recurring monthly service charge, applied without customer action within two billing cycles after service restoration. Violations are treated as unfair trade practices under Maryland law, subject to enforcement under the Consumer Protection Act. This bill directly affects retail customers and telecom providers operating in Maryland.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires automatic service credits during telecom outages, protecting consumers from service disruptions without action. Aligns with regulating tech companies for consumer protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telecommunications

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 563: Health Facilities - Confidentiality of Medical Records - Crisis Pregnancy Clinics

SB 563 adds crisis pregnancy clinics to Maryland’s definition of "health care provider" under confidentiality laws. This means these clinics must now follow the same medical record privacy rules as hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. The bill specifically covers clinics providing pregnancy-related care, including mobile facilities, even if they’re not subject to federal HIPAA rules. It applies directly to crisis pregnancy clinics operating in Maryland, requiring them to protect patient records like other healthcare providers. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends medical record confidentiality protections to crisis pregnancy clinics, aligning with healthcare privacy standards and protecting patient rights under confidentiality laws.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires crisis pregnancy clinics to follow medical record confidentiality laws, strengthening data privacy protections for patient health information.90% confidence

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1239: Public Safety - Critical Infrastructure Protection

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.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates cybersecurity reporting standards for critical infrastructure, directly enhancing security protections per topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity Tags Public Safety

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 23, 2026

HB 755: County Boards of Education - Student Personal Electronic Device Use Policy - Establishment (Phones Away for the School Day Act)

HB 755 requires Maryland county school boards to create policies banning student use of personal electronic devices (like phones) during all school day hours, effective by the 2026-2027 school year. The policy must mandate students store devices securely and prohibits use except for documented needs in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan. Schools must also provide designated phones for students to contact parents or guardians during the school day. The law explicitly bars suspensions or expulsions solely for violating this device policy. This directly affects all public school students and school boards across Maryland.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates device ban to reduce distractions during school hours, aligning with improving learning environments as part of education policy.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts student personal device use during school hours, limiting technology access in educational settings per bill's explicit ban on phones except IEP/504 needs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

Track

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 23, 2026

HB 795: Health Insurance - Artificial Intelligence - Grievance Process and Reporting (AI Health Insurance Accountability Act of 2026)

HB 795 requires Maryland health insurance companies to provide human review for any coverage denial made using artificial intelligence, algorithms, or software tools. Insurers must also report quarterly aggregated data on these AI-related denials, including claim types, member demographics (race, gender, profession), and policy details (individual, group, or exchange plans). These reports must be submitted to the state insurance commissioner and include the total number of AI-related grievances reviewed. The bill directly affects health insurers operating in Maryland and impacts members who face AI-driven coverage decisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates human review for AI coverage denials and requires reporting on AI-related denials, protecting patients from algorithmic bias and ensuring accountability in health insurance.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires human review and reporting for AI-driven insurance denials, enhancing consumer protection and accountability in health tech decisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Artificial Intelligence

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 720: Education - Artificial Intelligence - Guidelines, Professional Development, and Collaborative (Artificial Intelligence Ready Schools Act)

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates AI guidelines, professional development, and policy adoption for K-12 schools to advance ethical AI use, strengthening educational technology integration and access.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates safe, ethical AI guidelines in schools, promoting responsible adoption and digital equity through state standards and policy requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Teachers Artificial Intelligence

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 889: Consumer Protection and Labor and Employment - Electronic Shelving Labels and Surveillance-Based Price and Wage Setting - Prohibitions

SB 889 prohibits businesses from using consumer data (like browsing habits) to set dynamic prices for goods or services, and bans food retailers with over 15,000 square feet from using electronic shelf labels for pricing. Instead, these retailers must display prices using physical methods like stickers, tags, or signs. The bill also bans employers from using employee data to set wages and makes violations of these rules enforceable under Maryland's Consumer Protection Act. It directly affects large food retailers, businesses using data-driven pricing, and workers whose wages might be influenced by surveillance-based systems.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly bans employers from using employee data to set wages, protecting workers from potential unfair wage practices.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits using consumer data for dynamic pricing, strengthening data privacy protections under Maryland's Consumer Protection Act.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

Track

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 883: Consumer Protection - Artificial Intelligence - Behavioral Health Care Prohibitions

HB 883 prohibits AI developers from making or causing AI to make claims that the AI is a behavioral health provider or can deliver behavioral health care services. It requires AI sold to Maryland consumers to include clear notices stating users are interacting with AI (not a human) and to detect suicidal thoughts or self-harm, automatically referring users to crisis services. Violations carry civil penalties up to $1 million per offense, with funds directed to Maryland’s Behavioral Health Workgroup Investment Fund. The law directly affects AI developers and sellers operating in Maryland, focusing on preventing misleading AI interactions in mental health contexts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits AI from impersonating behavioral health providers, mandates crisis referrals for suicidal thoughts, and directs penalties to behavioral health programs, strengthening mental health protections.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates AI developers to prevent deceptive claims and mandate safety features, protecting consumers from misuse of AI in behavioral health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Artificial Intelligence

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 825: Public Safety - Critical Infrastructure Protection

SB 825 creates a Critical Infrastructure Protection Branch within Maryland’s Coordination and Analysis Center to strengthen state-level security for essential systems. The branch will identify threats, prioritize critical infrastructure (like utilities, hospitals, and transportation), and coordinate responses with state agencies and private owners. It requires the Department of Emergency Management to act during infrastructure attacks and mandates the Department of Information Technology to let critical infrastructure owners join the Maryland Information Sharing and Analysis Center while meeting specific cybersecurity reporting standards. This bill directly affects infrastructure operators (e.g., power companies, hospitals) and state agencies responsible for emergency response and cybersecurity.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes Critical Infrastructure Protection Branch to strengthen cybersecurity for essential systems like utilities and hospitals, directly enhancing state-level security measures.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly lists transportation as critical infrastructure to be prioritized and protected, directly advancing its security within the framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity Tags Public Safety

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 18, 2026

HB 1250: Consumer Protection and Product Liability - Chatbots

HB 1250 regulates how chatbots are designed, operated, and made available to users in Maryland. It requires developers and operators to obtain clear user permission before collecting data, display specific safety warnings (especially for minors), and follow strict privacy rules for handling personal information. The bill also treats chatbots as "products" for liability purposes, meaning users can pursue legal claims if chatbots cause harm, and mandates that state agencies develop educational materials about behavioral health services. These rules apply to all chatbots used in Maryland, including those operated by government entities.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates chatbot data collection with user consent, safety warnings, and strict privacy rules, aligning with consumer protection and data privacy safeguards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

Track