HB 374 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

State Acupuncture Board - Revisions

HB 374 revises Maryland's acupuncture licensing rules to clarify that "manual therapies" (like acupressure) are included under licensed acupuncture practice. It requires the State Acupuncture Board to provide proof of license renewal instead of issuing physical renewal certificates. The bill also explicitly prohibits employers from hiring unlicensed practitioners and bans aiding or abetting unauthorized acupuncture practice. These changes directly affect licensed acupuncturists, their employers, and individuals seeking acupuncture services in Maryland. The revisions aim to modernize licensing procedures while strengthening enforcement against unlicensed activity.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 19, 2026 Signed Apr 28, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - State Acupuncture Board - Revisions → Third - State Acupuncture Board - Revisions · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to reflect its progression from a first reading to a third reading, including the addition of committee approval and adoption status. Substantive changes include updating the sponsor list to include additional delegates, clarifying the definition of 'Manual Therapies' to explicitly include acupressure, and modifying the education and examination requirements for new licensees based on their license issuance date.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on regulating the practice of acupuncture and establishing the State Acupuncture Board, but the specific eligibility criteria for licensure have been refined to distinguish between applicants licensed before and after June 1, 2026.

TIMELINE

Added committee report status, house action, and second reading date to track the bill's legislative progress.

ELIGIBILITY

Updated the list of sponsoring delegates to include Alston, Bagnall, Cullison, Guzzone, Hill, Hutchinson, S. Johnson, Kaufman, Kipke, Lopez, Martinez, M. Morgan, Reilly, Rosenberg, Ross, Szeliga, Taveras, and Woorman.

DEFINITION

Clarified the definition of 'Manual Therapies' to explicitly state that it includes acupressure and other pressure treatment techniques based on East Asian medical theories.

REQUIREMENT

Reorganized the education and training requirements for applicants, creating distinct pathways for those licensed on or before May 31, 2026, versus those licensed on or after June 1, 2026.

TECHNICAL

Adjusted bill formatting, including page numbers, chapter placeholders, and explanatory notes regarding amendments.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 20, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 8, 2026

How they voted

45–0

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 49

Mar 20, 2026

D Democratic36

32 Yea 4

88% Yea

R Republican13

13 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 28, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 233

executive

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 7, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted

upper

Apr 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Finance

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Committee

Referred Finance

upper

Mar 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Health

lower

Mar 8, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (128-2-12)

house of delegates

Jan 19, 2026

Committee

First Reading Health

lower

18 primary · 0 co-sponsors