Health Facilities - Confidentiality of Medical Records - Crisis Pregnancy Clinics

HB 615 adds crisis pregnancy clinics to Maryland's definition of "health care provider" for medical record confidentiality purposes. This means clinics offering pregnancy-related health care (including mobile facilities) must now follow the same state laws protecting patient records as hospitals and other medical providers. The bill specifically clarifies these clinics are not covered under federal HIPAA rules but must comply with Maryland's existing confidentiality standards. It directly affects crisis pregnancy clinics by requiring them to handle patient records under the same legal protections as other healthcare facilities. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.