HB 838 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

State Board of Pharmacy - Prescriber-Pharmacist Agreements

HB 838 repeals a requirement that prescribers submit prescriber-pharmacist agreements to their regulating health board. Instead, it allows pharmacists (with specific qualifications, registrations, and training) to directly enter agreements authorizing them to treat opioid use disorder using controlled substances. A key provision requires pharmacists to check the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) for relevant patient data before starting or changing such therapy. This bill directly affects pharmacists, prescribers, and patients with opioid use disorder by expanding pharmacists' role in medication management under defined safeguards.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Feb 4, 2026 Signed Apr 14, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - State Board of Pharmacy - Prescriber-Pharmacist Agreements → Third - State Board of Pharmacy - Prescriber-Pharmacist Agreements · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to significantly expand its scope by explicitly adding licensed certified midwives to the list of authorized prescribers who can enter into therapy management contracts with pharmacists. Additionally, the bill's procedural status was updated to reflect that it has been adopted by the House and is moving forward with a favorable committee report.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include licensed certified midwives as authorized prescribers eligible to enter into agreements with pharmacists for opioid use disorder treatment, whereas the original version only listed physicians, podiatrists, and advanced practice nurses.

SCOPE

Added 'certified midwife licensed under Title 8, Subtitle 6D of this article' to the definition of 'authorized prescriber' in Section 12-6A-01(b), allowing midwives to participate in prescriber-pharmacist agreements.

PROCEDURAL

Updated the bill header to include additional sponsors (Delegates Alston, Bagnall, Guzzone, Hill, Hutchinson, S. Johnson, Kaufman, Kipke, Lopez, Martinez, M. Morgan, Reilly, Rosenberg, Ross, Szeliga, Taveras, White Holland, and Woorman) and added status notes indicating the bill was adopted by the House and reported favorably by the committee.

Changed the introductory text regarding the bill's action history to reflect that it was read a second time on March 1, 2026, and is now adopted, replacing the initial introduction date of February 4, 2026.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 5, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 14, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 53

executive

Apr 7, 2026

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 31, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

upper

Mar 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Finance

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Committee

Referred Finance

upper

Mar 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Health

lower

Mar 5, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (131-0-11)

house of delegates

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

First Reading Health

lower

18 primary · 0 co-sponsors