Maryland’s governor recently signed the Maryland Online Data Privacy Act of 2024 (MODPA), making Maryland one of six states—along with Kentucky, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Rhode Island—to pass a comprehensive privacy law this year. Overall, 19 states (and counting) now have such laws on their books.
Maryland’s law takes effect October 1
On January 13, House Delegate Sara Love Introduced the “Biometric Identifiers and Biometric Information Privacy Act” (the “Act”) substantially modeled after the Biometric Information Privacy Act in Illinois, 740 ILCS 14 et seq. (the “BIPA”). Enacted in 2008, the Illinois BIPA only recently triggered an avalanche of class actions in Illinois, spurring other
In response to trends, heightened public awareness, and a string of large-scale data breaches, states continue to enhance their data breach notification laws. In 2017, Maryland amended its Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) with expansion of the definition of personal information, modification of the definition of “breach of the security of the system,” establishing a
The Maryland General Assembly has recently amended its Maryland Personal Information Protection Act, House Bill 974, effective January 1, 2018. Notable amendments expand the definition of personal information, modify the definition of breach of the security of the system, provide a 45-day timeframe for notification, allow alternative notice for breaches that enable an individual’s
Baltimore, MD has joined the growing list of cities and states around the country implementing “ban the box” legislation. “Ban the box” legislation restricts inquiries regarding an applicant’s criminal history on applications for employment and during job interviews. The EEOC recommends “banning the box” believing the use of conviction records excludes applicants and can disparately
Linking his announcement to National Privacy Day, January 28, 2013, Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler informed the public that his office has formed an Internet Privacy Unit. (See similar step taken by Connecticut AG)
The stated purpose of the Unit is to protect the privacy of online users. The Unit will be charged
California Assembly moves bill (voting 73-0) that would make California the second state behind Maryland to prohibit employers from demanding social media passwords.
Continue Reading California to Follow Maryland in Prohibiting Employers from Demanding Social Media Passwords From Employees
New Maryland law prohibits employers from demanding access to Facebook or other on line accounts of employees and applicants
Continue Reading Maryland Prohibits Employers From Demanding Social Media Passwords
Have you ever reviewed the Facebook or LinkedIn profile or other social media activity of an employee or applicant? How about requiring employees or applicants to provide access to social media activity as a condition of employment.
Continue Reading Maryland and Illinois Seek to Protect Employee Social Media Activity
The Maryland Senate recently referred Senate Bill 971 which prohibits Maryland employers from demanding that workers and job applicants turn over their passwords to specific websites or web-based accounts. 
Under the bill, employers would be prohibited from refusing to hire applicants and disciplining, terminating, or taking other adverse employment action against employees who refuse to provide