Bill > HB1239

This bill establishes a new Critical Infrastructure Protection Branch within the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center (MCAC), which is a hub for information sharing and analysis related to security threats. The bill defines "critical infrastructure" as vital physical or virtual assets and systems, such as those identified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, whose disruption would significantly impact national security, economic security, public health, or safety, and specifically includes hospitals and healthcare facilities. The new branch will be led by a Chief Critical Infrastructure Officer responsible for administering the branch, directing statewide security efforts, coordinating with various government offices and industry partners, conducting voluntary cybersecurity and physical assessments with critical infrastructure providers, and advising the Governor on security issues. The bill also mandates that the Department of Emergency Management, in consultation with the MCAC, coordinate response efforts to attacks on critical infrastructure, and requires the Department of Information Technology to allow owners or operators of critical infrastructure to join the Maryland Information Sharing and Analysis Center and to provide them with current cybersecurity reporting standards.

Government Affairs

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB1239?ys=2026RS