ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore’s administration on September 22, 2026, announced a new policy framework for artificial intelligence, directing state labor and civil rights agencies to clarify how existing anti-discrimination laws apply to AI tools used in hiring and other workplace decisions. The move signals a more comprehensive regulatory approach for Maryland but does not immediately create new AI-specific rules for private employers, as the promised guidance is still forthcoming.
The framework aims to establish safeguards against the risks of AI while positioning the state’s workforce to adapt to the technology, according to a press release from the governor's office. The initiative builds on Maryland's existing law, in effect since 2020, which prohibits employers from using facial recognition in job interviews without the applicant's written consent. The new plan distinguishes between immediate policies for state agencies and future guidance and legislation that will affect all employers in the state, addressing what Governor Moore described as an absence of federal guardrails.
Maryland's AI Framework: What's In Force, What's Coming
The governor's announcement outlines a multi-part strategy with different timelines and targets. While some policies are now in effect for state government operations, the specific rules for private-sector employers are still under development. The framework’s components have distinct legal statuses and apply to different groups, creating a complex landscape for businesses and state agencies to navigate. The following table breaks down the key components of the new framework.
| Policy Component | Current Status | Who It Affects |
|---|---|---|
| Facial Recognition Consent Law | In force since 2020 | All private-sector employers |
| Responsible AI Policy | Immediate directive | Maryland state executive branch agencies |
| Guidance on Existing Discrimination Laws | Forthcoming | All Maryland employers |
| Legislative Recommendations for Frontier AI | Proposed for future | Frontier AI model companies |
Under the state's new Responsible AI Policy, any high-risk AI systems used by Maryland's executive branch agencies must now undergo algorithmic impact assessments, bias testing, and human oversight, according to the official policy document. That same policy, which applies only to state government use, also prohibits systems that threaten fundamental rights. According to reporting from Quasa, this includes tools for emotion analysis, real-time and covert biometric identification, and social scoring. For private employers, the most significant pending action is the development of guidance from the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) and the Department of Labor, which will explain how existing laws already cover AI-driven decisions in the workplace.
