MLDS director urges committee to approve bill allowing limited third‑party data center access for multistate student reporting

Chair Janelle Wilkins introduced a virtual presenter for the committee's consideration of Senate Bill 56.

Ross Goldstein, executive director of the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center, said Senate Bill 56 “would allow the MLDS Center governing board to authorize the center to provide individual level student and workforce data to a third party data center to enable multistate reporting and reporting on student outcomes.” He told the committee the legislation specifies criteria the governing board must consider before granting authorization.

Goldstein said the Senate bill is cross-filed with House Bill 293 and that the house version has already passed committee and the full House. He urged the committee to approve SB 56, saying it would provide opportunities to advance understanding of student outcomes while incorporating safeguards.

The committee recorded no questions during Goldstein's two-minute presentation and Chair Wilkins closed the bill hearing.