Technology

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 718: Information Technology – State and Higher Education E–Mail – Requirements

HB 718 requires public institutions of higher education in Maryland (excluding Morgan State University, the University System of Maryland, St. Mary’s College, and Baltimore City Community College) to adopt email security policies aligned with state government standards. It mandates that all employee email systems automatically filter spam and non-state-business emails (like unsolicited marketing) while permitting minimal personal use that doesn’t impact resources or violate professional norms. The bill extends existing state IT requirements to these institutions, ensuring email systems support official work only and include specific security measures. This directly affects higher education employees and administrators responsible for managing institutional email systems.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates email security policies and spam filtering for public institutions, enhancing cybersecurity and protecting data privacy by reducing exposure to malicious emails.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 482: Criminal Law - Interference With Critical Infrastructure or a Public Safety Answering Point

SB 482 makes it a crime to intentionally access or interfere with computer systems supporting critical infrastructure (like emergency services, utilities, or public safety answering points) with the intent to disrupt operations. It prohibits unauthorized access, ransomware attacks, or sharing access codes to such systems, specifically targeting acts meant to impair public safety services. The law applies to individuals who disrupt or deny access to systems vital for public security, health, transportation, or utilities. It amends Maryland’s criminal code to clarify penalties for these specific cyber-related interferences.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill criminalizes unauthorized access/ransomware targeting critical infrastructure systems, directly enhancing cybersecurity protections for public safety services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 593: Criminal Law - Interference With Critical Infrastructure or a Public Safety Answering Point

HB 593 amends Maryland's criminal law to specifically prohibit unauthorized actions intended to disrupt critical infrastructure or public safety answering points. It makes it a crime to intentionally access, copy data from, or possess access codes for systems like power grids, emergency call centers, or transportation networks with the intent to impair their function. The bill defines "critical infrastructure" as systems vital to public security, health, safety, or utilities, and explicitly includes ransomware attacks as a prohibited act. This law directly affects individuals who interfere with these essential systems, imposing criminal penalties for intentional disruption.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill criminalizes unauthorized interference with critical infrastructure systems, enhancing cybersecurity protections for essential services like emergency call centers and power grids.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly includes transportation networks in critical infrastructure protection, preventing disruptions to safety and operations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 601: Cybersecurity - Standards and Compliance - Alterations

SB 601 requires all Maryland local school systems to designate a cybersecurity point of contact by 2027 and comply with state minimum cybersecurity standards established by the Department of Information Technology. Schools must conduct a cybersecurity maturity assessment every two years and certify compliance annually by June 30, starting in 2027. The bill repeals a previous requirement that county boards prioritize purchasing digital devices with certain funds and instead mandates annual reporting on cybersecurity expenditures. It also directs the Department of Information Technology to annually review and update the state cybersecurity standards. This bill directly affects all public school systems in Maryland, focusing on strengthening cybersecurity practices rather than device procurement.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires schools to adopt cybersecurity standards, conduct assessments, and certify compliance, directly enhancing data protection and cybersecurity measures.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 957: Cybersecurity - Standards and Compliance - Alterations

HB 957 requires all Maryland local school systems to designate a cybersecurity point of contact, comply with state minimum cybersecurity standards set by the Department of Information Technology (DOIT), and conduct a cybersecurity maturity assessment every two years starting in 2027. It repeals a prior requirement that county boards prioritize purchasing digital devices with certain funds, shifting focus toward cybersecurity compliance. Schools must annually certify compliance with DOIT’s standards by June 30 and report cybersecurity spending details by August 15 each year. The bill also mandates DOIT to annually review and update the state cybersecurity standards. This directly affects all local school systems and their technology budgeting and reporting practices.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates cybersecurity standards, compliance, and assessments for schools, directly enhancing cybersecurity protections per bill language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 247: Biotechnology Investment Incentive Tax Credit - Conversion to Grant Program

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesConverts tax credit to direct grants, increasing state spending on biotech incentives instead of reducing tax revenue, advancing fiscal support for the sector.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyConverts tax credits to direct grants for biotech R&D, funding innovation in biological technologies per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 10, 2026

HB 1167: Department of Information Technology - Workgroup on the Medicaid Management Information System Mainframe System Replacement

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpgrades Medicaid IT system to maintain coverage, ensure claim processing, and meet federal standards - directly supports healthcare service delivery and access.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires modern system meeting federal security standards, enhancing cybersecurity for Medicaid operations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 10, 2026

HB 145: Election Law - Election Misinformation, Election Disinformation, and Deepfakes

HB 145 requires Maryland's State Administrator of Elections to act on credible reports of election misinformation (false information about voting) or disinformation (knowingly misleading information) by providing corrective information, requesting removal from online platforms, and seeking records via subpoena. It prohibits knowingly using AI-generated deepfakes (manipulated videos/audio) to mislead voters about voting rights, election results, or registration, with violations punishable as misdemeanors carrying up to $5,000 fines or 5 years in jail. The law exempts satire, news coverage (like interviews or documentaries), and media outlets that clearly label deceptive content. It directly affects voters seeking accurate election information, election officials managing reports, and content creators distributing election-related material. The bill takes effect June 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill prohibits AI deepfakes in elections, restricting harmful tech use to prevent voter misinformation and protect electoral integrity.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Technology

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passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 9, 2026

HB 195: State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission - Authority to Conduct Studies on the Use of Emerging Technology and the Workgroup on Gambling Prevention Technology

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.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates study of encryption/blockchain for security, fraud prevention, and identity verification - directly enhances cybersecurity and data privacy measures.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 1456: Consumer Protection - Residential Property Advertisement - Ownership Verification

HB 1456 requires real estate websites, social media platforms, and other commercial entities to verify that the person advertising a residential property for sale or lease is either the legal owner or their authorized agent before publishing the listing. Commercial entities must maintain this verification for at least three years and immediately remove any listing published without proper verification. Violations would be treated as unfair, deceptive, or abusive trade practices under Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act, subject to enforcement and penalties. This bill directly affects online property listing services and real estate platforms that publish residential property advertisements. It aims to prevent fraudulent listings by mandating ownership verification as a standard practice.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires tech platforms to verify property owners, preventing deceptive listings under consumer protection laws, aligning with regulating tech for user safety.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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