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Bill

SB 825

Public Safety - Critical Infrastructure Protection

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dalya Attar and 5 co-sponsors

Maryland mandates critical infrastructure operators develop security plans, conduct vulnerability assessments, and coordinate with law enforcement to protect essential services.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 446
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Bill Summary · SB 825

Legislative bill overview

SB 825 establishes new security and resilience requirements for Maryland's critical infrastructure systems, including energy, water, telecommunications, and transportation networks. The bill mandates that operators of critical infrastructure develop and implement comprehensive protection plans, conduct regular vulnerability assessments, and coordinate with state and local law enforcement agencies.

Why is this important

Critical infrastructure disruptions—whether from natural disasters, accidents, or malicious acts—can have cascading effects on public safety, economic activity, and essential services. This legislation aims to create consistent statewide standards for protecting systems that Marylanders depend on daily, potentially reducing response times and minimizing damage from emergencies.

Potential points of contention

  • Compliance costs: Private infrastructure operators may face significant expenses implementing new security measures, assessments, and reporting requirements, which could be passed to consumers
  • Information security concerns: Requiring vulnerability assessments and sharing infrastructure data with government agencies raises questions about data protection, privacy, and whether sensitive security information could be breached or misused
  • Regulatory burden: Operators may argue the requirements are overly prescriptive or duplicative of existing federal regulations (like NERC standards for energy), creating redundant compliance frameworks

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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