Maryland Digital Service bill seeks codification to standardize state digital work

House Bill 221 would establish the Maryland Digital Service (MDS) inside the Department of Information Technology and designate leadership to coordinate user‑centered design, accessibility, and consolidation of web properties across state government.

Why it matters: Supporters argued the change will standardize digital standards, improve accessibility, and reduce duplication across agency websites and applications without adding new fiscal cost because the MDS is already operating.

Marcy Jacobs, Deputy Secretary and Chief Digital Experience Officer at the Department of Information Technology, testified in “strong support” and described the MDS as a step to “prioritize the development of user friendly, accessible, multilingual digital platforms.” Jacobs said the initiative focuses on user‑centered design, accessibility standards and consolidation to reduce redundancy and maintenance costs.

The department told the committee the MDS was announced by the governor’s administration and began work last year; as a result the bill would codify the existing structure rather than create a new program. Jacobs said there would be no new fiscal impact because the service already exists in agency staffing and operations.

No committee member questions indicated opposition; the committee closed the public hearing on HB 221 after Jacobs’ testimony.

Ending note: The bill frames digital modernization as both technical and user‑facing work; supporters pointed to accessibility and multilingual needs as drivers for codification.