United States of America: House Bill 148 introduced to the House of Delegates including ban on surveillance-based price and wage setting

On 14 January 2026, House Bill 148 was introduced to the Maryland House of Delegates to prohibit surveillance-based price and wage setting through automated decision systems. The Bill prohibits persons from using surveillance data in conjunction with automated decision systems to offer customised prices for goods or services. These restrictions do not apply to customised pricing based on actual cost differences or rewards programs where eligibility is disclosed and based on voluntarily provided information. Furthermore, the Bill prohibits employers from using surveillance data and automated systems to set customised wages for employees. Employers are permitted to set wages using such systems only if the data is directly related to the task or the cost of living at the work location, provided that the employer discloses how the system considers the data before hiring. The Commissioner of Labour and Industry is authorised to investigate complaints and may seek mediation or request the Attorney General to bring an action for injunctive relief or damages. The non-discrimination provisions of this Act enter into force on 1 October 2026.