In one paragraph
Maryland's SB 889 (2026, first reader text) would have barred surveillance-based price setting (pricing consumer goods or services based on profiling or processing of consumer or device data), barred food retailers of at least 15,000 square feet from using electronic shelving labels to display prices, and barred employers from surveillance-based wage setting using surveillance data with an automated decision system. It had a Senate Finance hearing set for March 12, 2026 and died when the 2026 session ended.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None: the bill died and did not become law. It would have barred surveillance-based pricing and wage setting and electronic shelf price labels at large food retailers.
Key provisions
- Would have added Commercial Law section 13-321: a person may not engage in surveillance-based price setting or use a third party to do so; exceptions for cost-to-serve pricing and group discounts offered on equal terms
- Would have added Commercial Law section 13-322: a food retailer (a merchant with an establishment of at least 15,000 square feet selling tax-exempt food) may not use electronic shelving labels or digital shelf display technology to display prices and must use nondigital price presentation
- Would have added Labor and Employment section 3-718: an employer may not engage in surveillance-based wage setting, meaning using surveillance data with an automated decision system to offer or inform a customized wage
- Wage exemption: customized wage based on task-related data or work location and cost of living, if the employer discloses before hiring what data is considered and how the automated decision system uses it
- Wage violations: the Commissioner must try mediation or ask the Attorney General to sue for injunctive relief, damages or other relief; the purpose paragraph says a violation would be an unfair, abusive or deceptive trade practice under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act, but the new sections set no penalty amounts
- Would have taken effect October 1, 2026
Latest legislative action
Feb 12, 2026. Hearing 3/12 at 1:00 p.m.; died when the Maryland General Assembly's 2026 session ended April 13, 2026
Sponsors (showing 5 of 17)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Carozza | Primary |
| Chair, Judicial Proceedings Committee | Primary |
| Eckardt | Primary |
| Elfreth | Primary |
| Hayes | Primary |
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error