HB 898, the DECADE Act, reorganizes Maryland's economic development programs to streamline administration and expand incentives. It redesignates the Economic Development Opportunities Program Account as the "Strategic Closing Fund" under the Department of Commerce, alters eligibility and calculation rules for tax credits (including Job Creation, R&D, and film production credits), and extends the Build Our Future Grant Pilot Program. The bill allows pass-through entities to allocate tax credits to members and removes limits on film production tax credit certificates. These changes directly affect businesses, investors, and film producers seeking state economic development incentives.
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.
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 264, the Maryland Data Privacy and Protection Act of 2026, sets new rules for how Maryland state government agencies collect, store, and handle personal information. It requires agencies to only collect personal data that is necessary for a legitimate government purpose, delete or remove identifying details when no longer needed, and post clear privacy notices on their websites. The bill specifically defines "sensitive data" (like racial origin, health information, biometric data, and location tracking) and mandates that agencies designate a Privacy Officer to oversee compliance. This law directly affects all Maryland state government units, including departments and agencies, by requiring them to update their data practices to protect residents' privacy.
SB 114 establishes the Maryland 3-1-1 Oversight Board to manage a statewide expansion of nonemergency 3-1-1 services. The bill requires all Maryland counties to implement AI-powered chatbots (by June 2027) and voicebots (by December 2028) that provide multilingual support, route calls accurately, and escalate complex issues to live agents. These systems must align with accessibility and equity standards, using curated government data for responses. The bill directly affects all 23 Maryland counties, residents using 3-1-1 services, and state agencies managing the program, with full statewide implementation required by July 2028.
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.
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.
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.
