Bill > HB711

This bill, titled the Data Privacy Act, aims to enhance consumer data protection and regulate the use of public records and message switching systems. Key provisions include prohibiting controllers from selling personal data to purchasers intending to use it for immigration enforcement, and requiring custodians of public records to take reasonable steps to determine if access is sought for immigration law enforcement, with specific restrictions on disclosing personal information or conducting facial recognition searches for such purposes unless a valid warrant is presented. Additionally, entities operating message switching systems, which are law enforcement communication platforms that automatically route electronic queries and responses, must deny access for immigration enforcement without a warrant and collect specific identifying information from users. The bill also mandates that governmental entities develop and publish procedures to prevent the sale and redisclosure of personal records containing sensitive attributes, which include data related to race, ethnicity, health, sexual orientation, citizenship, and precise location, to protect resident privacy and discourage a secondary commercial market for such data.

Business and Industry

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0711?ys=2026RS