ANNAPOLIS – The Maryland Kids Code Coalition applauds today’s unanimous votes in both the House and Senate for final passage of the Maryland Kids Code (HB 603/SB 571), a nation-leading effort to protect children and their data online sponsored by Delegates Jared Solomon and C.T. Wilson and Senators Ben Kramer and Chris West.

“Today is a landmark moment for Maryland kids and families working toward a better, safer online world,” said Todd Minor Sr. and Mia Minor, parent advocates from Accokeek who founded the Matthew E. Minor Awareness Foundation in memory of their late son. “We’ve worked hard for this moment, and we’re super proud our legislators had the courage and determination to stand up to the Big Tech lobbyists in the hope that other families will never have to suffer pain like ours has endured.”    

The bill will now head to the desk of Governor Wes Moore, where advocates are hoping it will be signed into law.

“Here in Maryland, we just made history in the fight to hold Big Tech accountable. Now, we are hopeful Governor Moore will quickly sign this bill into law,” said coalition spokeswoman Marisa Shea, a resident of St. Mary’s County. “These unanimous votes show that support for the Kids Code’s safety-by-design and privacy-by-default principles transcends political divides, and they reflect mounting public calls for smart, effective policy solutions to protect kids online.”

Organizations testifying to the General Assembly in support of the bill this year included the Digital Harbor Foundation, the Free State PTA, the Maryland Association of School Health Nurses, the Maryland Coalition of Families, the Maryland School Counselor Association, the Maryland State Education Association, the Maryland Student Council Association and Maryland Youth Service Bureaus. The legislation was also endorsed by the Baltimore Sun.

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