SB 56 authorizes Maryland's Longitudinal Data System Center to share student and workforce data with third-party data centers for multistate research and reporting, replacing its previous ability to share data with the U.S. Census Bureau. The bill requires third-party centers to meet strict security and privacy standards - including using de-identified data, avoiding individual identification, and signing written agreements - before sharing any data. This directly affects the Center (which must now follow these new rules), third-party data centers (which must comply with the requirements), and the privacy of Maryland students and workers whose data is shared.
SB 200 renames Maryland's "Council on Open Data" to the "Council for Open Data" and restructures its membership from 37 to 11 members. The Council now includes 10 state agency heads, the State Chief Data Officer (as chair), three locally appointed officials representing specific county groups, and five private-sector members appointed by the Governor. Its key duties include setting open data standards for portals, ensuring privacy/security, advising on budget needs, and promoting data-sharing partnerships. This directly affects state agencies, local governments (through appointed county representatives), and private-sector stakeholders participating in governance.
SB 216 updates Maryland's unemployment insurance confidentiality rules to align with federal requirements. It clarifies that claim details (including benefit amounts, address, and work refusal history), wage information, and other personal data are protected as "confidential unemployment insurance information." The bill allows limited disclosure to child support enforcement agencies when permitted under federal law, while adding penalties for unauthorized leaks by current or former Maryland Department of Labor employees. These changes directly affect unemployment claimants, employers, and child support agencies by defining how personal financial data may be shared.
HB 293 authorizes Maryland’s Longitudinal Data System Center to share student and workforce data with external third-party data centers for multistate reporting, while requiring these centers to meet strict privacy and security standards. The bill repeals the Center’s prior authority to share data with the U.S. Census Bureau under certain circumstances and mandates written agreements with third parties before sharing. It directly affects the Center, state education agencies (like the State Department of Education), and external data platforms used for cross-state education and workforce analysis. The key change is establishing formal, secure protocols for sharing data beyond Maryland’s borders, ensuring compliance with privacy laws like FERPA. This focuses on data-sharing mechanisms, not new data collection or program changes.
This bill requires Maryland's State Department of Education to create online resources for schools, teachers, and students on the safe, ethical, and equitable use of artificial intelligence in education. It mandates that school districts develop AI policies by December 2027, appoint AI coordinators, and use only AI tools certified by Morgan State University as meeting state guidelines. The law also requires statewide teacher training on AI literacy by July 2027 and includes AI education in workforce preparation standards. These requirements directly affect public K-12 schools, educators, students, and administrators across Maryland.
HB 1341 prohibits public school security personnel - including school resource officers, security employees, and certain law enforcement officers - from engaging in federal immigration enforcement or sharing student/employee records for immigration purposes. The bill requires security staff to immediately contact school officials if presented with a valid judicial warrant, subpoena, or legal order for immigration-related information. It amends Maryland's Education Code to clarify that school security cannot be used for immigration investigations under federal §287(G) and must comply with state privacy laws. This directly affects school security staff and protects students, employees, and their families from immigration enforcement activities within public schools.
SB 247 converts Maryland's Biotechnology Investment Incentive Tax Credit into a direct grant program administered by the Department of Commerce. It replaces tax credits with cash grants for qualifying biotechnology companies engaged in research, development, or commercialization of biological technologies. The bill requires the Department to disburse grants within a specified timeframe and allows recipients to deduct these grants from their Maryland income tax for the same year. This change shifts the incentive from tax savings to immediate funding, directly affecting eligible biotech firms in Maryland.
HB 1167 requires Maryland's Department of Health to replace its outdated Medicaid computer system with a modern, flexible system by 2028. The new system must maintain all current Medicaid functions - including processing medical/dental/pharmacy claims, provider enrollment, and beneficiary inquiries - while meeting federal security and performance standards. The bill mandates integration with existing Medicaid systems by January 2027 and full replacement of the old system by January 2028, subject to federal approval. This change directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries and healthcare providers through more reliable service delivery.
HB 195 requires Maryland's State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to study emerging technologies to improve safety and transparency in gambling. Specifically, it mandates the Commission analyze security tools (like encryption and blockchain), monitor customer behavior for responsible gaming, and verify age/identity to prevent fraud. The bill also obligates the Commission to collaborate with Maryland colleges, foundations, or private entities for these studies and requires the Commission Director to participate in them. This law updates reporting requirements for the Commission to detail lottery revenues, expenses, and any needed legal changes. It directly affects the Commission's operations and the state's gambling regulatory framework, without altering existing gambling laws.
HB 1037 (Broadband Accountability and Affordability Act) gives Maryland's Public Service Commission authority to oversee broadband and internet-based phone service (VoIP), which it previously could not regulate. The bill requires Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to report on network reliability, outages, pricing, and emergency preparedness plans, and to maintain infrastructure meeting safety and reliability standards. The Commission can audit providers and order corrective actions if services are deemed unsafe, unreliable, or inadequate. ISPs must submit annual reports on progress, with the Commission reporting to the legislature each year starting in 2028 on improvements in service quality and network resilience.
