SB 696 Maryland Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Public Health - Pediatric Hospital Overstay Patients and Workgroup on Children in Unlicensed Settings and Pediatric Overstays

SB 696 addresses pediatric hospital overstay patients - children under 22 who remain in hospital beds for over 24 hours after being medically cleared for discharge or transfer. It requires hospitals to place these patients in the least restrictive setting possible, allows concurrent exploration of both in-state and out-of-state placements, and creates a Pediatric Hospital Overstay Coordinator position within the Governor’s Office for Children. The bill also mandates the Maryland Department of Health to study residential treatment center and respite facility rates and expands the state’s mental health registry to include both private and public services. These changes directly affect pediatric patients, hospitals, and child welfare systems by streamlining placements and improving access to appropriate care.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 30, 2025 Signed May 13, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Public Health - Pediatric Hospital Overstay Patients Third - Public Health - Pediatric Hospital Overstay Patients and Workgroup on Children in Unlicensed Settings and Pediatric Overstays · 6 edits
MODERATE
SB 696 was amended to expand its scope from only pediatric hospital overstay patients to also include children in unlicensed settings. The bill now establishes a new Workgroup on Children in Unlicensed Settings and Pediatric Overstays, adds a second Pediatric Hospital Overstay Coordinator in the Department of Human Services, and modifies requirements for transferring overstay patients to the least restrictive setting based on clinical indication rather than absolute mandate.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include children in unlicensed settings in addition to pediatric hospital overstay patients, and the bill title was updated to reflect this broader focus.
SCOPE

Added a new Workgroup on Children in Unlicensed Settings and Pediatric Overstays to address care for children in unlicensed settings alongside pediatric overstay patients.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the requirement for placing pediatric hospital overstay patients in the least restrictive setting from an absolute mandate to a conditional requirement based on clinical indication and feasibility.

Added specific requirements for the Department of Human Services to ensure children in their care are transferred to the least restrictive setting when clinically indicated and when possible.

DEFINITION

Added a second Pediatric Hospital Overstay Coordinator position within the Department of Human Services, in addition to the existing coordinator in the Governor's Office for Children.

Modified the definition of 'Pediatric Hospital Overstay Patient' to specify patients must remain in the hospital for more than 48 hours after being medically cleared for discharge or transfer.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill metadata to reflect Senate action (adopted with floor amendments) and changed the bill number reference from CF 5lr2475 to CF HB 962.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 19, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2025

How they voted

440
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 46
Mar 19, 2025
D Democratic33
31 Yea 2
93% Yea
R Republican13
13 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
10
Committee
7
Amendments
1
May 13, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 480
executive
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Returned Passed
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Health and Government Operations
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Committee
Rereferred to Health and Government Operations
lower
Apr 5, 2025
Committee
Referred Rules and Executive Nominations
lower
Apr 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 4, 2025
Introduced
Floor Amendment {
upper
Apr 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Apr 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance
upper
Mar 25, 2025
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (137-0-2)
house of delegates
Mar 19, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (44-0-2)
senate
Jan 30, 2025
Committee
First Reading Finance
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Pam Beidle
Pam Beidle
DDemocratic
MD
32