SB 891 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Health, Health Insurance, and Health Occupations - Perinatal Behavioral Health Conditions

SB 891 requires health insurance companies in Maryland to provide pregnant individuals and those up to one year postpartum with a standing referral to a mental health provider without needing a new authorization each time. It also mandates coverage for perinatal mental health screenings during pregnancy and postpartum, and directs the Maryland Department of Health to create a screening program. Additionally, the bill requires health professionals renewing licenses to complete continuing education on perinatal mental health conditions. These provisions directly affect insurers, pregnant/postpartum individuals, mental health providers, and health license holders.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 6, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Health, Health Insurance, and Health Occupations - Perinatal Mental Health Conditions → Third - Health, Health Insurance, and Health Occupations - Perinatal Behavioral Health Conditions · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to change the title from 'Perinatal Mental Health' to 'Perinatal Behavioral Health,' expanding the scope to include a broader range of conditions beyond just mental health. The bill now explicitly requires the Maryland Medical Assistance Program to cover screenings, whereas the previous version only listed general insurers. Additionally, the requirement for health care providers to screen for these conditions was clarified to apply to 'certain' providers rather than all providers, and the Department of Health's role was expanded to include identifying specific screening tools and assisting providers with referrals.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from focusing solely on 'mental health conditions' to 'behavioral health conditions,' and the applicability of screening requirements was narrowed to 'certain health care providers' instead of a universal mandate.

DEFINITION

The title and text were changed from 'Perinatal Mental Health Conditions' to 'Perinatal Behavioral Health Conditions' to broaden the scope of covered conditions.

ELIGIBILITY

The Maryland Medical Assistance Program was added to the list of entities required to provide coverage for perinatal behavioral health screenings.

REQUIREMENT

The mandate for health care providers to screen for conditions was modified to apply to 'certain' providers rather than all providers, and the Department of Health was tasked with identifying specific screening tools.

Continuing education requirements for health occupation license renewals were modified to allow boards to grant specific credit hours for perinatal behavioral health training.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 20, 2026 · House of Delegates Apr 2, 2026

How they voted

44–0

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 49

Mar 20, 2026

D Democratic36

31 Yea 5

86% 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

May 26, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 636

executive

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Returned Passed

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Health

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Committee

Rereferred to Health

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Committee

Referred Rules and Executive Nominations

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

upper

Apr 2, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (130-8-4)

house of delegates

Mar 20, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (44-0-5)

senate

Feb 6, 2026

Committee

First Reading Finance

upper

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors