Maryland expands authority over credit reporting agencies

State Issues Credit Reporting Agency Security Freeze Privacy/Cyber Risk & Data Security

On May 8, Maryland governor Larry Hogan signed HB848, which expands Maryland’s authority over Credit Reporting Agencies (CRAs) by requiring CRAs to develop a secure system to process electronic requests for placing, lifting, or removing a security freeze. Additionally, the law expands the definition of “protected consumer” for purposes of free security freezes to include persons age 85 or older, certain members of the military, and incarcerated individuals. The law also (i) codifies an existing requirement that CRAs register with the Office of the Commissioner of Financial Regulation (OCFR); (ii) allows the OCFR to investigate written consumer complaints against CRAs; and (iii) increases the maximum civil monetary penalty to $1,000 for the first violation and $2,500 for each subsequent violation. The law is effective October 1.