- **Void Provisions**: Establishes that any provision in a consumer contract that sets a shorter period of time to bring an action than required under state law is void.

- **Consumer Protection Act**: A violation of this Act is considered a violation of the Consumer Protection Act.

- **Applicability**: The Act applies only prospectively and does not affect contracts entered into before the effective date of the Act. The bill aims to protect consumers by ensuring that contract provisions do not unfairly limit the time to bring legal actions.

- **Appeal Process**: Establishes an appeal process for individuals subject to the digital advertising gross revenues tax who receive a notice of assessment from the Comptroller.

- **Erroneous Assessments**: Authorizes the Comptroller or their designee to issue an order to correct an erroneous assessment of the digital advertising gross revenues tax, subject to certain conditions.

- **Tax Collector's Role**: If a person or governmental unit fails to file a return, the tax collector will estimate gross revenues and assess the tax due based on the best information available.

- **Application for Revision**: Individuals have 30 days to submit an application for revision or a claim for a refund after receiving a notice of assessment.

- **Informal Hearings**: The Comptroller or their designee must hold an informal hearing and act on the application for revision, potentially assessing additional tax, penalty, and interest due.

- **Final Determination**: The Comptroller's final determination on the assessment is mailed to the individual or governmental unit. The bill aims to provide a clear process for appealing and correcting assessments related to the digital advertising gross revenues tax.

Key provisions include:

- Prohibiting the distribution of computer-generated visual representations of another person under certain circumstances.

- Defining "computer-generated visual representation" and "indistinguishable from another actual and identifiable person."

- Establishing penalties for violations, including imprisonment and fines. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Key provisions include:

- Requiring developers of generative AI systems to publish documentation detailing the data used to train the AI system.

- Including information on the sources, ownership, and characteristics of the data. - Specifying whether the data are in the public domain or protected by copyright, trademark, or patent.

- Requiring developers to disclose if the data include personal information or aggregate consumer information.

- Mandating the publication of this documentation on the developer's website before releasing or substantially modifying the AI system. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

- **State Recycling Trust Fund**: Establishes separate accounts within the Fund for covered electronic device recycling and manufacturer registration fees.

- **Covered Electronic Device Recycling Program**: Creates a program to facilitate the collection, recycling, refurbishment, or reuse of covered electronic devices.

- **Recycling Fee**: Requires consumers to pay a recycling fee with the purchase of new covered electronic devices, starting July 1, 2027.

- **Advisory Council**: Establishes a council to advise on the implementation and administration of the program.

- **Manufacturer and Retailer Responsibilities**: Sets requirements for manufacturers and retailers regarding registration, labeling, and educational materials. The bill aims to improve electronic device recycling and ensure proper management of electronic waste in the state.

Key provisions include:

- **Defamation**: Distribution of a forged digital likeness constitutes a statement or communication for defamation purposes.

-**Prohibition**: Prohibits knowingly distributing a forged digital likeness as genuine, knowing it is not genuine.

- **Penalties**: Violators are guilty of a misdemeanor, subject to imprisonment up to 3 years, a fine up to $1,000, or both.

- **Affirmative Defense**: Defendants can claim they took reasonable action to notify viewers or listeners that the likeness was not genuine.

- **Free Speech**: The bill ensures it does not infringe on free speech rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. The bill aims to address the misuse of forged digital likenesses and protect individuals from defamation and deception.

Privacy Protection and Enforcement Unit: Establishes a unit within the Division of Consumer Protection in the Office of the Attorney General. Aims to protect privacy and online security of individuals' personal information.

Data Broker Registry: Requires data brokers to register annually with the Comptroller. Imposes a tax on the gross income of data brokers.

Revenue Distribution: Data broker gross income tax revenue to fund: Privacy Protection and Enforcement Unit. Information Technology Investment Fund for AI projects. Maryland Public Television for digital literacy support. Coordinated Community Supports Partnership Fund. Effective Date: July 1, 2025

- **Clear Disclosure**: Requires clear and conspicuous presentation of the terms of automatic renewal offers before the subscription or purchasing agreement is fulfilled.

- **Cancellation Mechanism**: Mandates that consumers be provided with an easily accessible method to cancel the automatic renewal.

- **Notice Requirement**: Requires notice to be given to consumers before the automatic renewal takes effect, including details on the price and terms of the renewal.

- **Prohibition on Automatic Charges**: Prohibits automatic charges to a consumer's credit card without clear and conspicuous notice.

- **Compliance and Penalties**: Establishes that violations of this Act are considered unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practices and are subject to enforcement and penalties. The bill aims to protect consumers by ensuring transparency and ease of cancellation for automatic renewal offers.

- **Definition**: Defines "consumer contract" as a contract involving the sale, lease, or provision of goods or services for personal, family, or household purposes.

- **Prohibition**: Declares any provision in a consumer contract that sets a shorter time to bring an action than required by state law as against public policy, illegal, and void.

- **Court Actions**: Courts cannot enforce such provisions, and defenses based on shorter limitation periods are not allowed.

- **Prospective Application**: The Act applies only to contracts entered into after its effective date, October 1, 2025. The bill aims to protect consumers by ensuring that they have the full time allowed by law to bring actions under consumer contracts.

Key provisions include:

- **State Recycling Trust Fund**: Establishes separate accounts within the Fund for covered electronic device recycling and manufacturer registration fees.

- **Covered Electronic Device Recycling Program**: Creates a program to facilitate the collection, recycling, refurbishment, or reuse of covered electronic devices.

- **Recycling Fee**: Requires consumers to pay a recycling fee with the purchase of new covered electronic devices, starting July 1, 2027.

- **Advisory Council**: Establishes a council to advise on the implementation and administration of the program.

- **Manufacturer and Retailer Responsibilities**: Sets requirements for manufacturers and retailers regarding registration, labeling, and educational materials. The bill aims to improve electronic device recycling and ensure proper management of electronic waste in the state.

Key provisions include:

- Establishing an Artificial Intelligence Evidence Clinic Pilot Program to provide expertise in AI for circuit and district courts.

- Engaging students, recent graduates, faculty, and technology professionals to develop expert witness resources for cases involving AI.

- Prioritizing civil cases where parties lack legal representation or access to expert testimony.

- Issuing a request for proposals to select an entity to manage the program, with preference given to Maryland-based vendors with experience in AI.

- Authorizing the Governor to include an appropriation of $250,000 for the program in the annual budget bill for fiscal years 2027 and 2028.

- Limiting administrative expenses to 20% of the appropriated funds.

The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Key provisions include:

1. **Grant Matching**: ligible students who receive federal Pell Grants will receive matching State funds, up to $3,000, to assist with educational expenses.

2. **Eligibility Criteria**: o qualify, individuals must have been incarcerated, be eligible for federal Pell Grants, and be enrolled in a postsecondary institution within the state.

3. **Duration of Support**: ecipients remain eligible for subsequent grants for up to three years, provided they continue to meet the program's requirements.

If enacted, the bill is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2024

Key provisions include:

1. **Prohibition of Harmful Use of Personal Identifying Information**: The bill prohibits individuals from using another person's personal identifying information with the intent to cause physical injury, serious emotional distress, or economic damages.

2. **Regulation of AI and Deepfake Technologies**: t specifically addresses the misuse of AI and deepfake technologies, making it unlawful to create or distribute deepfake representations that could harm individuals.

3. **Civil Remedies for Victims**: The legislation allows victims of such identity fraud to pursue civil actions against perpetrators to seek damages.

If enacted, the bill is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2025.

- **Integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education**:
- Develop guidelines, strategies, and professional development for the use of AI in K-12 education.

**Key Provisions**:
- **Guidelines and Strategies**:
- State Department of Education to develop/update K-12 AI guidance by August 1, 2026.
- Promote safe, responsible, and ethical use of AI.
- Emphasize students and teachers at the center of educational technology.

- **Approved AI Tools**:
- Develop and annually update a list of approved AI tools for schools.
- Ensure tools safeguard privacy and security.

- **County Boards**:
- Designate an employee to facilitate ethical AI use in local school systems.
- Conduct an annual inventory of AI systems.

- **Workforce Preparation**:
- Ensure AI literacy is a component of workforce preparation by October 1, 2025.

- **Needs Assessment**:
- Conduct a statewide AI needs assessment to identify local school systems' support needs.
- Report results by August 1, 2026.

- **Professional Development**:
- Promote training and workforce development in AI.
- Provide courses, training, and monthly webinars for teachers and administrators.

**Task Force**:
- **Formation**:
- Establish a Task Force on AI in K-12 Education.
- Include representatives from various educational and administrative bodies.

- **Responsibilities**:
- Study AI uses in local school systems.
- Develop guidance, best practices, and professional development.
- Report findings and recommendations by December 1, 2026.

**Effective Date**: June 1, 2025

This bill focuses on the integration and ethical use of AI in Maryland's K-12 education system.

• Interchange Fees for Electronic Payment Transactions:

  • Ensure fair calculation and usage of interchange fees in electronic payment transactions.

Key Provisions:

• Fee Calculation:

  • Entities processing electronic payment transactions must exclude taxes and gratuities when calculating interchange fees.

• Merchant Credits:

  • Credit and debit card issuers must credit merchants for the interchange fees charged on taxes and gratuities if proper documentation is provided.

Effective Date: October 1, 2025.

Key provisions include:

1. **Appointment of the Director**: The bill stipulates that the Director of Juvenile Justice Monitoring will be appointed by the Correctional Ombudsman to serve a four-year term.

2. **Senate Confirmation**: If the appointed Director has previously served in the role, the appointment will require the advice and consent of the Senate. These changes aim to enhance the oversight and effectiveness of juvenile justice monitoring in Maryland.

• Consumer Protection for High-Risk Artificial Intelligence:

  • Establish requirements for developers and deployers using high-risk AI systems to protect consumers from algorithmic discrimination.

Key Provisions:

• Developer Requirements:

  • Use reasonable care to protect consumers from known and foreseeable risks.

  • Provide necessary disclosures and documentation for impact assessments.

  • Ensure outputs are marked and accessible, complying with applicable standards.

• Deployer Requirements:

  • Design, implement, and maintain a risk management policy and program.

  • Complete impact assessments for AI systems before deployment or significant updates.

  • Notify and provide information to consumers, allowing them to correct data and appeal decisions.

• Enforcement and Penalties:

  • Enforced by the Attorney General.

  • Civil penalties for violations.

  • Consumers may bring civil actions under certain conditions.

Effective Date: October 1, 2025.