Technology

This bill proposes changes to Maryland's criminal procedure system regarding expungement records and their removal from the Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) system. It directly affects individuals seeking to clear their criminal records by establishing specific procedures for expunging adverse actions from court databases. The key mechanism involves updating how the state manages and removes expunged information from the electronic court system to ensure privacy and accuracy. This legislation focuses on administrative processes rather than creating new criminal offenses or penalties.

This bill expands regulatory requirements for constructing overhead transmission lines in Maryland by requiring a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Public Service Commission for lines carrying over 69,000 volts, while also giving the Commission authority to waive this requirement under specific criteria related to costs, environmental impact, and other factors. The legislation also restricts the construction of data centers in certain Baltimore City development districts and clarifies definitions related to construction activities for transmission lines. Additionally, the bill outlines notification procedures that applicants must follow when seeking approval, ensuring that local governments, state officials, and landowners are informed about proposed projects.

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.

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.

This bill requires Maryland's State Board of Elections to select, certify, and purchase a telephone voting system for absentee voters who have attested to having a print disability. The system must meet strict security standards, including ballot secrecy, accurate vote recording, voter identity authentication, and the ability to create a paper audit trail. Eligible voters will be placed on a special list and receive accessible communications with instructions and credentials to access the system, while the state will also run a public education campaign about the new voting option.

This Maryland bill establishes civil liability for commercial websites that knowingly distribute sexual material harmful to minors without implementing age verification systems. The law requires such sites to verify that users are at least 18 years old using government-issued ID, commercially reasonable methods, or digital identification before allowing access to the content. Additionally, the bill prohibits age verification providers from keeping any personal identifying information about individuals after they attempt to access the material. Parents or legal guardians can sue for damages if a minor accesses this content due to a site's failure to verify age, while the law exempts internet service providers and protects news organizations from these requirements.

This bill establishes standards and requirements for fully autonomous vehicles operating on Maryland highways without a human driver. It defines key terms such as fully autonomous vehicles, automated driving systems, and operational design domains to clarify what qualifies under the law. The legislation requires these vehicles to safely reach a minimal risk condition if the system fails and ensures that data collected by them is subject to Maryland's Online Data Privacy Act. Additionally, the bill updates existing commercial and transportation laws to include specific provisions for autonomous vehicle operations and data handling.

SB 632 creates a new Office of State Elected Officials Information Privacy within Maryland’s Department of Legislative Services. It allows state elected officials (the "protected individuals") to request that their personal details - such as addresses, phone numbers, and email - be removed from public online sources like government websites, social media, or social networks. The bill also establishes criminal penalties for intentionally posting an official’s personal information online under certain circumstances. This replaces the existing Address Confidentiality Program for domestic violence survivors with a dedicated system specifically for protecting state elected officials’ privacy.

HB 924, the "Safe Kids Act," creates a new civil legal remedy allowing parents or legal guardians of minors depicted in or exposed to child exploitation material to sue online platforms directly. It prohibits platforms from knowingly distributing such material - including AI-generated images defined as "computer-generated" under the law - and requires them to remove it. The bill updates definitions to explicitly include AI-created images in child pornography laws and increases the age threshold for victims in certain criminal cases. This allows civil lawsuits for damages (including attorney fees) without needing prior criminal convictions, targeting platforms that facilitate distribution rather than just criminalizing possession.

SB 680 reclassifies the offense of intercepting, disclosing, or using unauthorized wire, oral, or electronic communications from a felony to a misdemeanor under Maryland law. It directly affects individuals who unlawfully intercept, share, or use private communications obtained through illegal means. The bill changes the penalty from potential felony charges to a maximum of 5 years in prison or a $10,000 fine for violations of Section 10-402(a). This is a straightforward penalty adjustment without altering the prohibited conduct itself. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.