On February 4, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample testified before the Judiciary Committee in support of HB 444 – Interference With Critical Infrastructure or a Public Safety Answering Point – Penalties.
This bill bolsters protections against cyberattacks targeting 9-1-1 centers and other critical infrastructure, which are vital components of Maryland’s emergency response framework.
Maryland’s transition to Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) modernizes emergency communication capabilities, enabling faster and more accurate emergency response. Additionally, government infrastructure for fiscal management, public health, and public safety have migrated to digital infrastructure to enhance service delivery for residents. However, these advanced systems face significant cybersecurity threats as hackers increasingly target public infrastructure networks.
The bill increases penalties for individuals who intentionally disrupt certain government infrastructure that could result in serious public harm. By elevating these offenses to felonies with penalties of up to five or ten years of imprisonment and substantial fines, the bill reflects the grave danger these actions pose to public health and safety.
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