Bill > HB293

This bill authorizes the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center (MLDS Center) to share individual-level student and workforce data with "third-party data centers," which are defined as secure research platforms managed by entities other than state agencies, for the purpose of multistate research and reporting on student outcomes. Before any data can be shared, the MLDS Center's Governing Board must ensure that the third-party data center meets rigorous data handling and security standards, is FedRAMP-authorized (a federal program ensuring cloud services meet security requirements), uses personally identifiable information only as necessary for data matching, employs privacy-enhancing techniques like data hashing, uses de-identified data for analysis, and only releases aggregate data in reports. A written data sharing agreement, which is reviewed annually, is required, and the Governing Board must specifically approve the data elements, the data sets to be shared, and each proposed research or reporting project. This change is intended to facilitate broader research and reporting on student outcomes across multiple states, with a new provision added to the existing law that governs the MLDS Center's functions.

Budget and Finance

Ways and Means (House)

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0293?ys=2026RS