In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Division” means the Major Information Technology Development Project Oversight Division. “Office” means the Maryland Office of Digital Experience. “Service” means the Maryland Digital Service Unit.

There is a Maryland Office of Digital Experience. The purpose of the Office is to: provide oversight, leadership, intervention, and strategic modernization for major information technology development projects, including large–scale, high impact, multi–agency projects, in a transparent manner that ensures a positive return on investment; and direct the development of modernized systems in a manner that: when appropriate, prioritizes a product–based approach to the development of modernized systems over a project–based approach; is cost–effective; lowers risks; delivers value faster; and otherwise improves the delivery of services for residents of the State.

The Secretary shall appoint a Chief Digital Experience Officer to serve as the head of the Office.

The Office may employ or retain regular or contractual employees at the discretion of the Chief Digital Services Officer and Chief of the Division as necessary to meet the requirements of the Office. Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the Chief Digital Services Officer and Chief of the Division may set the compensation for Office employees. The Secretary of Budget and Management shall approve any compensation proposed under this subsection. The Office may use a short–term contract or contractual hiring to support human resource needs to support the rapid hiring of Office employees and contractors. To meet the requirements of this subtitle, the Office may require a unit to provide reimbursement for services provided by the Office from funds provided to the unit from the Information Technology Investment Fund or other funds allocated to the unit for an information technology project or product.

There is a Maryland Digital Service Unit in the Office. The Service shall collaborate with units of State government to support improved service delivery to State residents and agency staff to implement: user–centered design; software development; and project management best practices. The Service is responsible for: assisting units of State government to prioritize the development and procurement of user–friendly, accessible, and multilingual digital platforms to ensure that all State residents, including those with disabilities, can easily access and use government services and information; working collaboratively with units of State government to: consolidate and streamline State websites and digital applications to reduce redundancy, complexity, and maintenance costs; and prioritize projects that are financially efficient and drive positive outcomes for State residents; and overseeing the implementation of user–centered design principles, accessibility standards, and best practices across units of State government. Units of State government shall collaborate with the Service to ensure that the alignment and funding of a digital initiative is consistent with: the overall goals and priorities of the State; and the Statewide Information Technology Master Plan.

There is a Major Information Technology Development Project Oversight Division in the Office. The Division, in consultation with the Department, shall: adopt new standards by which major information technology development projects and expedited projects are required to comply, in alignment with the State System Development Life Cycle; monitor the performance of project management teams for major information technology development projects and expedited projects and ensure the teams have the appropriate talent and expertise necessary to deliver the intended project value; and provide expertise, support, and intervention as necessary for the project management team to successfully implement a project in a manner consistent with standards adopted under item (1) of this subsection. The Division shall establish and staff a Discovery Team to deploy team members to help units of State government assist the unit in identifying: what problem the use of an information technology project or product is solving; who the users of the project or product will be; what a successful solution would look like; and other issues to ensure successful implementation of the project or product. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may delegate any major information technology development project to the Division that the Secretary determines is appropriate to serve as a pilot project for the Division to provide the services described in this section.

Beginning December 31, 2025, and each July 1 and December 31 thereafter, the Department of General Services, in consultation with the Department, shall report to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and the House Health and Government Operations Committee, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on any projects over $1,000,000 undertaken by a unit of State government under a master contract for Statewide Agile Resources and Teams contract or work order approved by the Board of Public Works in fiscal year 2025, including: the contract or work order amount and total estimated project cost; whether the Secretary of General Services and the Secretary have determined that the unit has the internal capacity to adequately support the project and program management responsibilities, including adequate: human capital; subject matter expertise; and technical infrastructure; whether the head of the unit accepted accountability for the oversight and implementation of the project; the members of the project management team; and affirmative agreements that, as part of the contract or work order approval, the unit of State government submits a report regarding project status to the Department every 3 months.