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 · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 56: Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center - External Data Sharing With Third-Party Data Centers for Multistate Reporting - Authorization

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.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAuthorizes data sharing with strict privacy/security standards (de-identified data, written agreements), directly protecting data privacy per topic indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 200: State Government - Council for Open Data - Membership and Responsibilities

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.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates council to 'ensure privacy/security' and set open data standards, directly advancing data privacy and cybersecurity protocols.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 216: Unemployment Insurance - Confidentiality of Information

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.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects workers' personal data in unemployment claims, preventing unauthorized disclosure and aligning with federal privacy standards to safeguard sensitive information like benefit amounts and work history.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly protects personal data (confidentiality of unemployment info) under privacy safeguards, directly supporting data privacy within technology policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 867: Economic Development - Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission - Alterations

SB 867 expands the Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission's mission to specifically promote innovation in space science, space technology, and aeronautics. It restructures the Commission's membership by adding representatives from the commercial space industry (up to three) and higher education institutions, while requiring the Commission to appoint an Executive Director. The bill authorizes the Commission to provide grants to eligible entities - including aerospace businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and universities conducting aerospace research in Maryland. These changes aim to strengthen Maryland's aerospace sector by formalizing grant programs and broadening stakeholder representation on the Commission.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands tech commission to promote space tech innovation and funds aerospace businesses via grants, directly advancing technology sector development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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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 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 · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 564: State Government - Office of the Attorney General - Data Protection

SB 564 creates a new Division of Data Protection within Maryland’s Office of the Attorney General. This division will investigate and enforce civil actions for violations of existing data privacy laws affecting businesses and consumers. It also establishes a Maryland Data Privacy Implementation and Innovation Workgroup, composed of state officials, consumer advocates, business representatives, and industry experts, to study implementation challenges and recommend improvements. The Workgroup must report its findings to the governor and legislature by January 1, 2027, and the bill’s provisions take effect on July 1, 2026, with the Workgroup structure expiring June 30, 2027.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates Division of Data Protection and Workgroup to enforce data privacy laws, strengthening consumer protections and cybersecurity compliance per topic indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 629: Information Technology - State and Higher Education E-Mail - Requirements

SB 629 requires all Maryland state government units and public higher education institutions (excluding Morgan State University, the University System of Maryland, St. Mary’s College, and Baltimore City Community College) to implement email security policies. It mandates automatic filtering of spam emails (defined as unsolicited, non-state-business emails like phishing or bulk solicitations unrelated to official duties) and prohibits using state email systems as public forums. The bill also permits minimal personal email use that has no significant impact on resources and aligns with professional business standards. These requirements must be included in institutional IT policies, plans, and standards, effective October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates email security policies including spam/phishing filtering, directly enhancing cybersecurity measures for state systems.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 661: Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance - Intercepted Communications - Admissibility of Evidence

SB 661 modifies Maryland law to clarify when intercepted communications (like phone calls or texts) can be used as evidence in criminal court. It allows such evidence if: (1) at least one party was outside Maryland during the communication, (2) the interception wasn’t done by Maryland law enforcement, and (3) all parties were co-conspirators in a violent crime. For other cases, it sets strict conditions for admissibility, including requiring prosecutors to notify defendants 14 days in advance and proving the evidence is more relevant than alternatives. The bill directly affects criminal defendants, prosecutors, and law enforcement handling wiretap evidence in Maryland courts. It takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires 14-day notice for intercepted evidence, protecting defendant rights in criminal proceedings per bill's admissibility conditions.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill restricts admissibility of intercepted communications without strict conditions, strengthening data privacy protections by limiting surveillance evidence use without proper notice.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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