Technology (Consumer Data Protection)

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 25, 2026

HB 1638: Consumer Protection - Covered Platforms - Protection of Minors (Kids Online Protection and Antigrooming Act)

This bill requires online platforms, video games, messaging apps, and streaming services to implement privacy-focused default settings and allow parents to manage their minor children's accounts. It defines "covered platforms" as internet-based services that facilitate user interaction, while excluding common carriers, email providers, and professional networking sites. The law specifically targets minors under 17 and gives the Attorney General authority to enforce compliance, though platforms can correct violations before facing penalties.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects minors' privacy and data security on platforms, enhancing consumer protection and digital rights for vulnerable users.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Online Safety Social Media Tags Consumer Protection

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passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 564: State Government - Office of the Attorney General - Data Protection

SB 564 creates a new Division of Data Protection within Maryland’s Office of the Attorney General. This division will investigate and enforce civil actions for violations of existing data privacy laws affecting businesses and consumers. It also establishes a Maryland Data Privacy Implementation and Innovation Workgroup, composed of state officials, consumer advocates, business representatives, and industry experts, to study implementation challenges and recommend improvements. The Workgroup must report its findings to the governor and legislature by January 1, 2027, and the bill’s provisions take effect on July 1, 2026, with the Workgroup structure expiring June 30, 2027.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates Division of Data Protection and Workgroup to enforce data privacy laws, strengthening consumer protections and cybersecurity compliance per topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 569: Commercial Law - Online Data Privacy - Limits on Data Collection

SB 569 limits how businesses (called "controllers") in Maryland can collect, process, or share personal data. It specifically prohibits selling or collecting sensitive data unless strictly necessary for a requested service, bans using precise geolocation data for targeted ads without consent, and forbids processing data for targeted advertising or selling data of consumers under 18. The bill also prohibits discrimination based on protected characteristics when handling data and bans denying services to consumers who exercise privacy rights. These changes directly affect businesses that collect personal data in Maryland, requiring them to adjust data practices to comply with the new restrictions starting October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologySB 569 explicitly limits data collection, bans selling sensitive data without necessity, and prohibits targeted ads without consent, directly strengthening data privacy protections in technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 616: Business Regulation - Data Broker Registry

SB 616 creates a Maryland registry requiring businesses that collect and sell personal data (like names, addresses, biometric information, or Social Security numbers) to register annually with the state Comptroller. It defines "data brokers" as entities selling "brokered personal data" but excludes credit bureaus, banks under federal law, and nonprofits assisting law enforcement. The law mandates registration for qualifying businesses to operate, focusing on transparency around how personal data is collected and sold. It specifically covers sensitive data types (e.g., facial recognition, DNA sequences) while clarifying exclusions to avoid overlapping with federal regulations.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates data broker registration for transparency, strengthening consumer data privacy protections by requiring disclosure of personal data handling practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Emerging Technology

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passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 504: Data Privacy - Consumer Data, Public Records, and Message Switching System (Data Privacy Act)

SB 504 prohibits businesses from selling consumer personal data to buyers who intend to use it for immigration enforcement. It defines "sensitive data" to include immigration status, racial origin, health information, and sexual orientation, requiring businesses to handle such data more carefully. The bill also mandates public record custodians to prevent unauthorized disclosure - especially for immigration enforcement - and requires message switching systems to implement access controls. These changes aim to strengthen privacy protections for Maryland residents while modifying existing data privacy laws in the state code.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly classifies health information as 'sensitive data' requiring careful handling, protecting patient privacy through data safeguards without restricting healthcare access or funding.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits selling immigration status data to enforcement agencies, limiting federal cooperation and protecting immigrant privacy per bill's data handling requirements.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits selling sensitive consumer data for immigration enforcement, defines sensitive data categories, mandates stricter handling and access controls - directly strengthens data privacy protections in technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Enforcement Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Tags Privacy

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died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2026

HB 1317: State Government - Data-Sharing Agreements and Personal Identifying Information - Prohibition and Reporting (Maryland Data Privacy and Federal Shield Act)

HB 1317 requires Maryland state and local governments to annually report to the Attorney General on all data-sharing agreements with the federal government, starting January 1, 2027. The report must identify all agreements, check if they comply with privacy laws, and suggest fixes for non-compliant ones. The bill also prohibits state/local agencies from sharing specific personal information (including immigration status, religious beliefs, and biometric data) with federal entities unless required by law or court order. Additionally, it bans state/local governments from helping create or maintain federal registries based on race, national origin, or religious affiliation. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits sharing immigration status with federal entities, limiting state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and protecting immigrant privacy.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits sharing sensitive personal data (biometrics, immigration status) without compliance checks, strengthening privacy protections per bill's core requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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

HB 1220: Business Regulation - Data Broker Registry

HB 1220 establishes a mandatory annual registry for data brokers operating in Maryland. It requires businesses that collect, sell, or license "brokered personal data" (such as names, addresses, biometric information, or Social Security numbers) to register with the Comptroller each year. The bill excludes credit reporting agencies, financial institutions under federal law, and certain nonprofit organizations assisting law enforcement or emergency responders. This registry aims to increase transparency about how personal data is collected and shared by businesses that sell it.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates data broker registration to increase transparency and protect personal data privacy, a core technology policy area.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 23, 2026

HB 952: Consumer Protection - Companion Chatbots - Regulation

HB 952 requires operators of "companion chatbots" (AI systems designed to meet social needs through human-like interactions) to establish safety protocols, including preventing harmful content like self-harm discussions and sexually explicit material for minors. Operators must publish these protocols online, display clear warnings that chatbots are AI (not human), and provide crisis resource referrals for users expressing suicidal thoughts. The bill also mandates that operators of chatbots used by minors display mandatory break reminders after 3 hours of continuous use. It excludes business customer service bots, video game features, and basic voice assistants from these requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates crisis referrals for suicidal users, directly supporting mental health access within healthcare services85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates safety protocols, AI transparency, and crisis resources for companion chatbots, aligning with consumer protection regulations in tech policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection Social Media

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 1429: Consumer Protection - Right to Repair - Motor Vehicles and Farm Equipment

HB 1429 requires car and farm equipment manufacturers to provide independent repair shops and vehicle owners with the tools, information, and data needed for diagnosis, service, and repair. Specifically, it mandates that manufacturers install open data platforms in vehicles with wireless diagnostic systems to allow third parties access to repair data, and prohibits farm equipment makers from withholding or misrepresenting part numbers. The bill also requires manufacturers to give consumers a document explaining their rights to access vehicle data at the time of purchase. These provisions aim to make repairs more accessible by reducing manufacturer control over repair information.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates open data platforms for third-party repair access, advancing consumer digital rights and data accessibility in vehicle technology systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Telecommunications

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 1179: Consumer Protection - Application Store Accountability Act

HB 1179, the Consumer Protection - Application Store Accountability Act, requires app store providers (like Apple App Store or Google Play) and developers operating in Maryland to implement age verification for minors under 18 and obtain verified parental consent before enabling certain transactions. It mandates clear disclosures about an app's age rating and content description to parents before purchases, prohibits enforcing contracts with minors without verified consent, and bans misleading parental consent disclosures. The bill also authorizes Maryland's Consumer Protection Division to enforce these rules under the state's consumer protection laws. This directly affects app stores, developers, parents, and minors using mobile apps in Maryland.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates age verification and parental consent for app store transactions to protect minors, aligning with consumer protection regulations in digital markets.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Online Safety

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