Labor & Employment Law Daily Wrap Up, AI NEWS—Maryland governor announces his administration’s AI framework, (Sep 22, 2026)

By WK Editorial Staff

“In the absence of federal guardrails around this rapidly developing technology, Governor Moore’s AI principles are grounded in safeguards to mitigate the risks of AI, while ensuring the technology serves the people of Maryland.”

Maryland Governor Wes Moore today unveiled a broad artificial intelligence policy framework that would expand state oversight of advanced AI systems, strengthen worker protections, curb discriminatory algorithmic practices, and establish new safeguards for children, positioning Maryland among a growing number of states seeking to regulate the rapidly evolving technology in the absence of comprehensive federal action.

Guiding principles. The framework outlines a set of guiding principles centered on protecting residents, giving workers a voice in the implementation of AI technologies, and shielding children from AI-related harms. The proposal combines regulatory measures, civil rights guidance, labor protections, and education initiatives while signaling the administration's intention to pursue additional legislation in upcoming sessions.

“With the speed with which AI is moving, Marylanders deserve guardrails that safeguard their rights, privacy, and dignity,” Moore said in a statement announcing the initiative. He argued that states cannot afford to wait for Congress to establish national standards and said the framework will guide the administration's efforts to “protect our people, center our workers, and keep our kids safe.”

Automated systems. One of the notable aspects of the announcement is its focus on workplace uses of AI and the administration's view that existing civil rights laws already apply when employment decisions are influenced by automated systems. The framework directs the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, the Maryland Department of Labor, and other agencies to issue guidance explaining how discrimination laws apply to AI-assisted employment practices.

The administration also said it will work with lawmakers and stakeholders to regulate what it described as some of the most concerning uses of workplace AI, including worker surveillance practices that could undermine organizing efforts, social scoring systems, and technologies that create or perpetuate systemic bias.

Standing committee. The proposal further calls for the creation of a standing labor-management committee to engage with unions representing state employees on the impact of AI in the workplace. State officials said the committee, working alongside Maryland's AI Subcabinet and other agencies, would ensure labor organizations have a formal role in discussions about technological changes affecting public-sector workers.

In addition, the administration plans to convene labor groups, businesses, and higher education institutions to examine how AI is reshaping workforce needs and to develop recommendations for worker transition strategies. The framework also emphasizes continued investments in reskilling, upskilling, apprenticeships, and other training programs intended to help workers adapt to changing labor market demands.

Other actions. Beyond workplace issues, the proposal contains a range of civil rights and consumer protection initiatives aimed at addressing risks associated with AI-driven decision-making. State officials said they will pursue legislation regulating so-called frontier AI companies, including potential requirements related to safety testing, independent audits, worker protections, whistleblower safeguards, public reporting, and incident disclosure obligations. The framework specifically references a potential 72-hour incident-reporting requirement for AI-related safety events.

The administration also endorsed establishing a statutory right of publicity that would recognize an individual's likeness as a property right. According to the governor's office, the proposal is intended to address the growing problem of AI-generated replicas and synthetic impersonations by giving individuals greater legal control over unauthorized uses of their image or identity.

The framework also targets AI applications in housing, gambling, and child safety. Under the plan, Maryland would seek to prohibit discriminatory algorithmic tenant-screening tools in certain housing developments, restrict the use of rent-setting algorithms that rely on competitors' nonpublic data, and limit AI-driven practices used to identify and target problem gamblers. The proposal also calls for stronger safeguards for children, including increased oversight of AI chatbots, efforts to curb algorithmically driven addictive features on social media platforms used by minors, and new protocols governing AI tools in schools. State officials said classroom AI systems should follow a "do no harm" approach by supporting, rather than replacing, educators, while students would receive instruction designed to help them understand the capabilities, risks, and ethical implications of AI.

Builds on prior measures. The announcement builds on several AI-related measures Maryland has adopted in recent years. The governor's office pointed to prior actions addressing election deepfakes, AI-generated intimate images, AI impersonation, insurance coverage decisions involving algorithmic systems, and protections for children online and in schools. The new framework also builds on Moore's 2024 executive order on artificial intelligence, the state's Artificial Intelligence Governance Act of 2024, and Maryland's Responsible AI Policy.

Share of the gains. At the same time, the administration notes that it is attempting to balance regulation with efforts to position Maryland workers and businesses to benefit from the technology. Officials highlighted the state's partnership with RAISE US, a national initiative focused on helping workers adapt to an AI-driven economy, as well as a previously announced $4 million investment in workforce training and cybersecurity-related initiatives administered through the Maryland Department of Labor.

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