EPIC Testifies in Support of Maryland Bill on High-Risk AI

EPIC Law Fellow Kara Williams testified in support of S.B. 936, a bill addressing algorithmic discrimination in the development and use of high-risk AI systems to make consequential decisions about Marylanders’ lives.

As introduced, the bill was based on a problematic Virginia bill that contains many loopholes and weak definitions that would allow companies to self-select out of complying.

Fortunately, Senator Katie Fry Hester, the bill’s sponsor, presented several important amendments during the hearing that would significantly strengthen the bill and ensure that it would fulfill its intent of addressing algorithmic discrimination.

The bill, with these amendments, would require transparency from developers and deployers about whether they are using AI systems, how these systems work, and what measures are being taken to test these systems for bias and inaccuracy. The bill, with the proposed amendments, would also give Maryland residents important rights if a company uses an AI system in making an important decision about them.

Importantly, the bill also provides a limited private right of action to harmed consumers that would allow them to vindicate their rights in court.

EPIC has worked with state legislators across the country on similar AI bills and is eager to continue this advocacy.