Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announces the appointment of the state's inaugural Chief Privacy Officer (CPO) and Chief Data Officer (CDO). Laura Gomez-Martin, previously serving as the Deputy Chief Information Security Officer, has been named as the CPO. In this role, she will oversee Maryland's privacy program and lead efforts to protect data. Patrick McLoughlin, formerly the Director of Data Solutions at Johnson, Mirmiran, & Thompson engineering firm, has been appointed as the CDO. McLoughlin will be responsible for managing data utilization, facilitating interagency data sharing, and developing a comprehensive state data strategy. These appointments reflect Maryland's commitment to strengthening privacy and data management practices.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has taken significant steps towards enhancing data governance and privacy practices within the state by signing executive orders to establish the positions of Chief Data Officer (CDO) and Chief Privacy Officer (CPO), according to Government Technology. The newly appointed CDO will be responsible for overseeing the sharing, usage, and management of data across state agencies, ensuring effective data governance and promoting data-driven decision-making. On the other hand, the CPO will play a crucial role in communicating with residents about government data collection, safeguarding the data acquired by agencies, and enforcing data minimization and purpose limitation principles.

The New York Times highlights recent developments in state privacy laws concerning the use of DNA in criminal investigations. Maryland has passed legislation mandating that investigators obtain judicial approval before uploading DNA markers from crime scenes to genealogy websites for suspect identification. Similarly, in Montana, law enforcement must obtain a search warrant to access a consumer DNA database, unless the individual has explicitly waived their right to privacy. These laws aim to balance law enforcement needs with protecting individual privacy rights in the context of genetic information.

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Maryland Senator Charles Sydnor, representing Baltimore County, has put forth the Facial Recognition Privacy Protection Act, a bill aimed at regulating the government's utilization of facial recognition services. The proposed legislation includes provisions for accountability reports, restrictions on certain uses of facial recognition technology, and mandatory disclosure requirements. In a similar vein, Alabama Senator Arthur Orr, representing Decatur, has introduced a bill that would prohibit law enforcement from employing facial recognition technology for continuous surveillance and from using facial recognition results as the sole basis for arrest or establishing probable cause. These bills reflect ongoing efforts to address privacy concerns associated with the use of facial recognition technology.

Brian Frosh, the elected attorney general of Maryland since 2014, has been actively working towards consumer protection and privacy issues throughout his career. With a strong focus on serving as the "people's lawyer," Frosh has dedicated his efforts to address the concerns of Maryland residents. Having served in the Maryland State Senate and House of Delegates, Frosh brings a wealth of legislative experience to his role. In an interview with IAPP, Frosh shares insights into the potential for future legislation at both the state and federal levels, shedding light on his vision for safeguarding privacy and protecting consumers in Maryland and across the United States.