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MarylandSB 08252026 Regular SessionSenate

Public Safety - Critical Infrastructure Protection

Sponsored By: Katie Fry Hester (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Public SafetyArmed Forces and Uniformed ServicesCommerce and Business -see also- ElectrComm; ForeignTr; etc.CybersecurityEmergency Management, Department ofGrantsHealth -see also- COVID19; EnvHlth; MedCon; etc.Health Care Facilities -see also- Clinics; Hospices; etcHomeland SecurityInformation Technology, Department ofIntergovernmental Cooperation -see also- AdmAgn; Cmts; etc.Public Officials -see also- Atty Gen; Compt; Coun Admin; etcPublic Service CommissionPublic Works -see also- Brg&Tun; Hwys; PublBlgFac; etc.Safety -see also- Occupational SafetyStandards and Best Practices

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Maryland creates team to protect vital systems

Beginning July 1, 2026, Maryland creates a Critical Infrastructure Protection Branch within the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center. The Center’s executive director must appoint a chief to run it. Covered systems include physical and digital infrastructure identified as vital by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, plus hospitals and health care facilities. The branch coordinates security statewide with government, industry, military, and other partners. It ranks risks by reviewing threats, attack impacts, links between systems, and technology that operates equipment. It connects priority assets with assessments, technical help, grant opportunities for fixing weaknesses, and shared safety practices. Maryland’s Department of Emergency Management must work with the Center to coordinate attack responses, including disruptions that spread between systems.

Maryland expands cybersecurity support for infrastructure operators

Beginning July 1, 2026, critical infrastructure owners and operators can join the Maryland Information Sharing and Analysis Center. Maryland’s Department of Information Technology must give them current cybersecurity reporting standards. In consultation with the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center, the department must also direct critical infrastructure cybersecurity work across state agencies. The law states that existing federal, state, and industry-specific cybersecurity rules and authorities remain intact.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Katie Fry Hester

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Dalya Attar

    Democratic • Senate

  • Benjamin Brooks

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mary Beth Carozza

    Republican • Senate

  • Cheryl C. Kagan

    Democratic • Senate

  • Bryan W. Simonaire

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 175 • No: 0

House vote • 4/10/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 132 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 3/23/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 43 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 446

    5/12/2026

  2. Returned Passed

    4/10/2026Senate

  3. Third Reading Passed (132-0)

    4/10/2026House

  4. Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

    4/8/2026House

  5. Favorable Report by Government, Labor, and Elections

    4/8/2026House

  6. Hearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m.

    3/26/2026House

  7. Referred Government, Labor, and Elections

    3/23/2026House

  8. Third Reading Passed (43-0)

    3/23/2026Senate

  9. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/20/2026Senate

  10. Favorable with Amendments {153120/1 Adopted

    3/20/2026Senate

  11. Motion Special Order until Later Today (Senator Feldman) Adopted

    3/20/2026Senate

  12. Favorable with Amendments {153120/1

    3/20/2026Senate

  13. Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

    3/20/2026Senate

  14. Hearing 3/05 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/16/2026Senate

  15. First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment

    2/6/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/12/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/20/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    2/6/2026

    PDF

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