Technology

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 18, 2026

HB 1261: Consumer Protection - Artificial Intelligence Toys (Artificial Intelligence Toy Safety Act)

HB 1261, the Artificial Intelligence Toy Safety Act, requires manufacturers of AI toys marketed to children in Maryland to include specific safety features and data privacy protections. It mandates parental consent mechanisms, age-appropriate content filters to block harmful or inappropriate material (like violence or emotional manipulation), automatic "safe mode" that disables the toy during risky interactions, and prohibitions on using child data for marketing. The law directly affects toy manufacturers selling AI toys in Maryland, requiring them to conduct safety assessments and update software for vulnerabilities. Violations are treated as unfair trade practices under Maryland's Consumer Protection Act, with enforcement handled by a new Review Panel under the Attorney General's office.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates data privacy protections, parental consent, and content filters for AI toys, regulating tech companies to protect children's data - clear consumer protection stance95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Data Privacy

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 659: Prekindergarten Programs and Primary and Secondary Schools - Student Privacy Policy Requirements and Discrimination Reporting

SB 659 requires all public and nonpublic primary and secondary schools to adopt written policies protecting student record privacy, including parent access rights and restrictions on sharing personal information without consent. Nonpublic prekindergarten and K-12 schools must annually report the number of alleged discrimination incidents based on protected categories like race, religion, sexual orientation, and disability. The reports must include incidents against students and be submitted starting September 1, 2027. Policies must comply with existing federal and state privacy laws and cannot override those protections. This bill directly affects nonpublic schools through new reporting requirements while expanding privacy safeguards for all schools.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires schools to adopt student data privacy policies and restrict sharing without consent, directly protecting student information under technology privacy frameworks.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy Tags Privacy

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 826: Income Tax – Angel Investor Tax Credit for Investments in Emergent Technology

SB 826 creates a tax credit for Maryland investors who fund qualified early-stage companies developing emergent technology like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, or cybersecurity. Investors must contribute at least $25,000 in cash to a Maryland company meeting specific criteria, with the credit covering a percentage of that investment. The state establishes an Angel Investor Tax Credit Reserve Fund to manage the program, requiring investors to make qualifying investments within a set timeframe after certification. This credit directly affects individual investors and Maryland-based tech startups in designated fields, aiming to boost local investment in emerging technology sectors.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for wealthy angel investors, aligning with 'tax breaks primarily for wealthy' indicator per topic guidelines.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyTax credit directly funds investments in AI, quantum, and cybersecurity startups, promoting emergent technology development through financial incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity Emerging Technology

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 759: Financial Institutions - Digital Assets and Digital Asset Staking - Regulation (Maryland Financial Innovation Act of 2026)

SB 759 prohibits Maryland state agencies and local governments from restricting certain digital asset activities, including accepting digital assets as payment, using self-hosted or hardware wallets, operating blockchain nodes, or participating in digital asset staking. It clarifies that "staking as a service" (where providers operate nodes for users) is exempt from Maryland's securities registration requirements under the Maryland Securities Act. The bill does not affect existing regulations for money transmission or consumer protection enforcement. This law directly impacts digital asset users, service providers, and financial institutions operating within Maryland.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill prohibits restrictions on digital asset activities and exempts staking services from securities registration, fostering innovation in digital assets and blockchain technology.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

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died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2026

HB 1317: State Government - Data-Sharing Agreements and Personal Identifying Information - Prohibition and Reporting (Maryland Data Privacy and Federal Shield Act)

HB 1317 requires Maryland state and local governments to annually report to the Attorney General on all data-sharing agreements with the federal government, starting January 1, 2027. The report must identify all agreements, check if they comply with privacy laws, and suggest fixes for non-compliant ones. The bill also prohibits state/local agencies from sharing specific personal information (including immigration status, religious beliefs, and biometric data) with federal entities unless required by law or court order. Additionally, it bans state/local governments from helping create or maintain federal registries based on race, national origin, or religious affiliation. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits sharing immigration status with federal entities, limiting state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and protecting immigrant privacy.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits sharing sensitive personal data (biometrics, immigration status) without compliance checks, strengthening privacy protections per bill's core requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 528: Consumer Protection - Video Streaming Services - Loudness of Commercial Advertisements

SB 528 prohibits video streaming services (like Netflix or Disney+) from transmitting commercial advertisements louder than the accompanying video content to Maryland consumers. It directly affects internet-based streaming platforms, excluding traditional TV broadcasters and cable operators. The law requires services to comply with federal loudness standards set by the FCC under the Federal Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act. Violations would be treated as unfair trade practices under Maryland's consumer protection law, with enforcement through existing penalty provisions.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates streaming services for consumer protection, aligning with tech sector regulations to address user experience concerns.90% confidence

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 18, 2026

HB 859: Financial Institutions - Digital Assets and Digital Asset Staking - Regulation (Maryland Financial Innovation Act of 2026)

HB 859, the Maryland Financial Innovation Act of 2026, prohibits state agencies and local governments from restricting certain digital asset activities, such as accepting cryptocurrency for payments, using self-hosted wallets, operating blockchain nodes, or participating in staking. It specifically clarifies that "staking as a service" (where a provider manages staking infrastructure for users) does not constitute a security under Maryland law, exempting it from securities registration requirements. The bill preserves existing authority for the Commissioner of Financial Regulation (under the Maryland Money Transmission Act) and the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division to enforce relevant laws. This directly affects financial institutions, crypto service providers, and consumers engaging with digital assets in Maryland, aiming to create a clearer regulatory framework for innovation.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits restrictions on digital asset activities and exempts staking from securities registration, enabling blockchain innovation and reducing regulatory barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 18, 2026

HB 1592: Education - Regional Resource Centers and County Libraries - Funding

HB 1592 updates funding for Maryland's regional resource centers and county public libraries by revising the per-resident funding formula for fiscal years 2022-2032. It increases annual funding rates from $8.75 per resident in 2022 to $11.58 by 2032, replacing previous fixed rates. The bill also simplifies library service requirements, mandating that each public library offer at least one program focused on early childhood literacy, digital equity, information literacy, or mental health support - replacing older, more specific program mandates. These changes directly affect all 23 Maryland county public library systems and their regional resource centers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases annual library funding via revised per-resident formula (2022-2032), advancing public service fiscal support92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases per-resident library funding from $8.75 to $11.58 (2022-2032) and mandates educational programs in literacy/digital equity, directly advancing funding and access.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates digital equity programs in libraries and increases funding for technology-access services per bill's requirement for digital equity programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries School Funding

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 18, 2026

HB 1220: Business Regulation - Data Broker Registry

HB 1220 establishes a mandatory annual registry for data brokers operating in Maryland. It requires businesses that collect, sell, or license "brokered personal data" (such as names, addresses, biometric information, or Social Security numbers) to register with the Comptroller each year. The bill excludes credit reporting agencies, financial institutions under federal law, and certain nonprofit organizations assisting law enforcement or emergency responders. This registry aims to increase transparency about how personal data is collected and shared by businesses that sell it.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates data broker registration to increase transparency and protect personal data privacy, a core technology policy area.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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died · Maryland · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 591: National Public Safety Alliance for Individuals With Disabilities - Maryland Chapter - Establishment

SB 591 establishes the Maryland Chapter of the National Public Safety Alliance for Individuals with Disabilities within the Department of State Police. It creates a secure, voluntary online system allowing individuals with disabilities to share personal information (like contact details, physical descriptions, and disability-related needs) with law enforcement for emergency response. The bill requires the Department of State Police and Department of Disabilities to develop mandatory training and guidelines for law enforcement agencies, and it creates a commission to study protocols and public engagement strategies. This directly affects individuals with disabilities who choose to participate and all local law enforcement agencies required to implement the new protocols.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates disability-specific emergency response system for law enforcement, requiring mandatory training to improve interactions and safety during crises, aligning with police accountability and civil rights protections.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes a secure online system for disability-related emergency data sharing, prioritizing data privacy and security measures per its 'secure, voluntary' system description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Data Privacy

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