As established by the Open Data Act (State Government Article, Chapter 69, Section 10-1401 through 10-1404):

“It is the policy of the state that open data be machine readable and released to the public in ways that make the data easy to find, accessible, and usable, including through the use of open data portals.”

The Act also established Council on Open Data to “promote the policy.” Promotion of the policy includes:

• providing guidance and policy recommendations and when appropriate recommend legislation and regulations for:
• procedures, standards, and other deliverables for open data, including for open data portals
• promotion, advertising, and marketing of open data
• best practices for sharing open data while taking into account privacy and security concerns
• coordinating the appropriate staff at each State entity for the development, maintenance, and use of open data and open data portals
• identifying the collective cost of operating and investing in open data and funding mechanisms to support open data; and
• advising the Governor and General Assembly on budget matters related to open data
• inviting and encouraging local entities and the legislative and judicial branches to:
• use open data portals established by State entities;
• create their own open data portals; and
• adopt policies consistent with the open data policy
• establishing a plan for providing all open data to the public at no cost
• advocating for sound records management and data preservation practices
• making recommendations to ensure that the purchase of new data processing devices, systems, and software by the State includes a review of compliance with the open data policy

Maryland's​ Open data link is available on the Maryland Open Data Portal and the ​Maryland GIS Catalog Data Catalog

Please contact the Geographic Information Office at service.desk@maryland.gov​ for more information.