Bill > HB711

This bill, titled the Data Privacy Act, introduces several key provisions aimed at protecting consumer data and public records. It prohibits a controller, which is an entity that determines the purposes and means of processing personal data, from knowingly selling a consumer's personal data to a governmental unit that has recently engaged in or supported civil immigration enforcement, meaning within the six months prior to the sale. Additionally, custodians of public records, those responsible for maintaining and providing access to government documents, must take reasonable steps to ascertain if a request for a public record is for the purpose of enforcing immigration law. The bill also requires entities operating a message switching system, a platform that automatically routes and delivers electronic communications between law enforcement agencies and databases, to implement specific measures to prevent unauthorized access for immigration enforcement purposes, unless a valid warrant is presented. These changes aim to enhance privacy protections for Maryland residents and limit the use of their data in immigration enforcement activities.