SB 597 establishes the Maryland Artificial Intelligence Partnership within the University System of Maryland to serve as a central hub for coordinating AI initiatives across the state. It creates an Artificial Intelligence Incubation Lab to help state agencies adopt AI responsibly, and redesignates the Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship Program as the Emerging Technology Public Service Scholarship Program to include AI training. The bill also requires Morgan State University's Center for Equitable AI to support state agencies with AI research. These changes directly affect Maryland public university students (through expanded scholarship eligibility), state agencies (via lab support), and the University System of Maryland (as host for the Partnership and Lab).
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.
SB 198 requires Prince George’s Community College to establish an Aerospace Technology Studies Program by December 2026, in collaboration with Maryland’s Higher Education Commission, Department of Commerce, and local economic development groups. The program must include training in aerospace systems, avionics, advanced manufacturing, and AI applications, with industry internships and a clear high school-to-college career pathway. It mandates formal partnerships with local aerospace employers and requires annual reports on progress and student outcomes to state and county officials. The bill directly affects students seeking aerospace careers and local employers needing skilled workers, focusing on workforce development without specifying funding or cost.
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.
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.
HB 1355, the Maryland Stablecoin Act, creates a new regulatory framework for entities providing payment stablecoin services in Maryland. It directly affects nondepository trust companies (financial institutions not covered by FDIC insurance) that wish to offer stablecoin-related services, such as issuing or facilitating transactions with stablecoins (digital currencies pegged to assets like the US dollar). The bill establishes licensing requirements, capital stock rules, and disclosure obligations for these providers under the Commissioner of Financial Regulation, while exempting certain existing nondepository trust companies from unrelated regulations. It adds new sections (14-101 through 14-603) to Maryland’s Financial Institutions code to define terms like "permitted payment stablecoin issuer" and "state issuer," and modifies existing fee structures for new bank charters. The law aims to provide legal clarity and oversight for this emerging financial service within the state.
SB 85 clarifies how Maryland's Information Technology Investment Fund can be used to support state IT systems. The bill requires fund money to directly support the state's telecommunication network and the Maryland First public safety radio system (used by first responders), while giving the Secretary of Information Technology discretion to allocate funds for other state-owned communication sites and equipment related to IT agreements. It does not create new programs but specifies existing fund usage for these concrete purposes. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and primarily affects state agencies managing IT infrastructure and public safety communications.
HB 266 clarifies how Maryland's Information Technology Investment Fund can be used to support specific state IT systems. It authorizes the Secretary of Information Technology to allocate fund money - paid into the fund under existing rules - to maintain the state's telecommunication network and Maryland First (the public safety radio system for first responders). The bill also allows the Secretary to use fund resources at their discretion for state-owned communication sites, facilities, and equipment related to IT agreements. This bill does not create new funding but specifies existing fund usage for core state IT infrastructure, effective July 1, 2026.
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.
HB 487 amends Maryland law to give the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) more flexibility regarding investments in businesses that no longer qualify under program rules. Specifically, it changes the requirement that MTDC must divest such investments to an authorization allowing it to choose whether to divest or pursue other remedies (like repayment) when a business no longer meets "qualified business" criteria. The bill also updates procedures for the MTDC's investment committee to consider these remedies. This directly affects MTDC and businesses that previously received MTDC equity investments but no longer qualify under the program.
