Data Privacy · Maryland
Maryland Online Data Privacy Act
SB 541 / HB 567 - enacted in Maryland.
- Enacted
- Status
- 2024
- Enacted
- 21
- States with data privacy laws
- 48/100
- Maryland strictness
The bottom line
Maryland Online Data Privacy Act is an enacted law in Maryland, part of a mature, broadly-adopted data privacy landscape.
- Enacted
- effective 2025-10-01
- 21
- states have data privacy laws
- 21/21
- data privacy laws enacted nationally
- 48/100
- Maryland strictness score
Data compiled 2026-03-18 from the official Maryland legislative record linked below; laws can be amended or repealed after this date.
Regulatory Snapshot: Maryland Online Data Privacy Act
Maryland Online Data Privacy Act (SB 541 / HB 567) is an enacted law in Maryland under the Data Privacy category. It was enacted on 2024-05-09 and becomes effective on 2025-10-01. Maryland currently reports 3 tracked regulations with 3 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 48/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch compiled this entry's data on 2026-03-18; consult the linked official source for the current, authoritative text.
Nationally, 21 data privacy statutes have been enacted and 0 additional bills remain pending - 21 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places Maryland within a mature and broadly adopted data privacy landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in SB 541 / HB 567 itself.
Applicability under Maryland Online Data Privacy Act: 35K+ consumers, or 10K+ with data sale revenue. Penalty exposure is documented as: $10,000 first, $25,000 subsequent. AG. No cure after Oct 2027. Notable exemptions: Government, HIPAA, GLBA, nonprofits, higher ed..
Summary
Among strongest. Data minimization by default. No minor data sales.
Key Requirements
Strict minimization. No minor data sales. Purpose limitation. No targeted ads to minors.
Penalties
$10,000 first, $25,000 subsequent. AG. No cure after Oct 2027.
Applicability
35K+ consumers, or 10K+ with data sale revenue.
Exemptions
Government, HIPAA, GLBA, nonprofits, higher ed.
How Maryland compares on data privacy
21 states regulate data privacy - Maryland ranks #11 by overall regulatory strictness. Bar = state strictness score (0–100).
| # | State | Strictness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 100 |
| 2 | Colorado | 76 |
| 3 | Texas | 69 |
| 4 | Connecticut | 62 |
| 5 | Minnesota | 62 |
| 6 | Oregon | 62 |
| 7 | Delaware | 59 |
| 8 | Virginia | 59 |
| 9 | Utah | 55 |
| 10 | Florida | 48 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states have data privacy regulations?
As of the last verification, 21 states have enacted data privacy regulations, with 0 additional bills pending across other states. Maryland is among the states that has enacted such legislation. Browse all data privacy regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.
When was Maryland Online Data Privacy Act enacted?
Maryland Online Data Privacy Act was enacted on 2024-05-09 and became effective on 2025-10-01. It was introduced as SB 541 / HB 567.
What are the penalties for violating Maryland Online Data Privacy Act?
$10,000 first, $25,000 subsequent. AG. No cure after Oct 2027. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does Maryland Online Data Privacy Act apply to small businesses?
35K+ consumers, or 10K+ with data sale revenue. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.
How does Maryland compare to other states on data privacy?
Maryland has a regulatory strictness score of 48/100, based on 3 enacted regulations out of 3 tracked. Nationally, 21 states have enacted data privacy laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.
Where can I read the full text of Maryland Online Data Privacy Act?
The official text of Maryland Online Data Privacy Act (SB 541 / HB 567) is available from the Maryland legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.
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Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since this data was compiled (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
More Maryland Regulations
The bottom line
This law is already in force - here's what matters for data privacy compliance.
- Maryland Online Data Privacy Act is enacted in Maryland, effective 2025-10-01. Official source
- 21 states now regulate data privacy; Maryland ranks #11 by strictness - compare requirements before you operate across state lines. Compare states
- See every regulation Maryland tracks across all five policy areas. Maryland profile
Summaries are general information, not legal advice; always confirm against the official statute and qualified counsel.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Verify with the official Maryland source →
Every figure on PlainRegWatch is rendered directly from state source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal and state source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.