Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 667: State Procurement - Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals - Attorney's Fees

This Maryland bill updates state procurement laws to allow the State Board of Contract Appeals to award reasonable legal fees to parties who win appeals or file claims. Specifically, it enables the board to grant attorney's fees to prospective bidders or contractors if the board finds that a procurement unit violated laws or regulations during a protest or contract dispute. Additionally, the law mandates fee awards for contractors when board members determine that government personnel acted in bad faith or without justification while processing a claim. These changes aim to provide clearer financial recourse for businesses challenging state contracting decisions while ensuring the board establishes rules to define what costs are considered reasonable.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 1337: Health Insurance - Appeals and Grievances Process - Reporting Requirements

This Maryland bill requires health insurance carriers to report detailed quarterly data to the Insurance Commissioner regarding the number of members, clean claims, and specific outcomes of grievances and emergency cases. The law also establishes a workgroup composed of representatives from insurance companies and consumers to study the appeals and grievances process, including how carriers use artificial intelligence in these decisions. This group must submit its findings and recommendations to state legislative committees by December 31, 2024, to help improve transparency and consumer understanding of the claims process.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 1472: Professional and Volunteer Firefighter Innovative Cancer Screening Technologies Program - Funding

This Maryland bill establishes funding for the Professional and Volunteer Firefighter Innovative Cancer Screening Technologies Program to help firefighters access advanced cancer screening. It mandates that the state budget include at least $100,000 annually for the program from fiscal years 2021 through 2024, with an option to increase funding to at least $500,000 per year starting in fiscal year 2025. The legislation also ensures that all funds used for this program are subject to audits by the Office of Legislative Audits to maintain financial accountability.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 358: Prince George's County - Workgroup on Health and Wellness PG 409-24

This bill establishes a Workgroup on Health and Wellness in Prince George's County to evaluate local health initiatives and provide recommendations to county leaders. The group is composed of representatives from the county government, local health businesses, dietitians, and community organizations who will meet without receiving payment but may be reimbursed for travel expenses. Their main tasks include reviewing options for integrative health programs, assessing access to healthy food and physical activity spaces, and suggesting incentives for employers to promote wellness. The Workgroup must submit its final report by December 1, 2025, and the entire law will automatically expire on June 30, 2026.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 411: Maryland Department of Health - Reports on Standing Orders and Opioid Overdose Reversal Drugs

This Maryland bill requires health care providers issuing standing orders for opioid overdose reversal drugs to let patients choose any FDA-approved formulation of the medication. It also mandates that the Maryland Department of Health submit regular reports to state legislative committees by December 1 of 2024, 2025, and 2026, detailing available drugs and explaining why certain approved options have not been included in standing orders. These changes aim to increase patient choice and improve transparency regarding the availability of life-saving overdose reversal treatments.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 1118: Harford County – Alcoholic Beverages – Performing Arts Theater License

This bill updates Maryland's Harford County regulations to allow for-profit organizations to obtain a performing arts theater license, whereas previously only nonprofit groups were eligible. Under the new rules, license holders can sell beer, wine, and liquor for on-premises consumption during performances, intermissions, and receptions within one hour before or after an event. The legislation also increases the annual license fee from $500 to $1,500 and requires theaters to serve snacks whenever alcohol is sold. These changes apply specifically to Harford County and take effect on July 1, 2024.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 1051: Maternal Health – Assessments, Referrals, and Reporting (Maryland Maternal Health Act of 2024)

The Maryland Maternal Health Act of 2024 requires hospitals and freestanding birthing centers to complete specific risk assessment and referral forms for high-risk pregnancies, with compliance tied to their ability to receive state medical reimbursement. Facilities must submit these forms to local health departments and provide postpartum parents with information on managing complications, including mental health and substance misuse, followed by a phone call within 24 to 48 hours of discharge. Additionally, the state will create a report card to evaluate maternity care quality and conduct studies on severe maternal morbidity incidents to improve surveillance and reporting.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 63: Property Tax - Credit for Dwelling House of Disabled Veterans - Alterations

This bill expands a Maryland property tax credit for disabled veterans to include those with a nonpermanent, 100% service-connected disability rating, in addition to existing eligibility for permanent disabilities of at least 50%. It also adjusts the credit amounts, offering 50% relief for veterans with ratings of 75% or higher and 25% relief for those with ratings between 50% and 74%, provided their income does not exceed $100,000. Local governments retain the authority to set their own rules for the program, including the option to limit eligibility to only the permanent disability category or to extend the credit to the surviving spouses of veterans.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 522: Charter Counties - Enforcement of Local Laws

This bill increases the maximum fines and penalties that charter counties in Maryland can impose to enforce their own local laws. It raises the limit for civil and criminal fines from $1,000 to $5,000 and allows for jail time of up to six months for violations. The changes also update the fine limits for enforcing local fair housing, employment discrimination, and public accommodations laws to align with federal standards. Effective October 1, 2024, these provisions give local governments greater financial leverage to ensure compliance with their ordinances.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 974: Behavioral Health Crisis Response Services - 9-8-8 Trust Fund Fees

This bill establishes fees for telephone and wireless services to fund Maryland's 9-8-8 behavioral health crisis hotline. It requires subscribers of landline and mobile services to pay a fee, while prepaid wireless users pay a fee at the point of purchase. The collected money goes into a special trust fund that can only be used to support suicide prevention services and mental health crisis response teams. Additionally, the bill mandates that the state Comptroller audit how phone companies collect and send these fees to ensure proper oversight.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 1293: Maryland Department of Health - Public Education Campaign on Prostate, Lung, and Breast Cancer Prevention

This bill directs the Maryland Department of Health to create and run a three-year public education campaign focused on preventing prostate, lung, and breast cancer, with a specific emphasis on communities disproportionately affected by these diseases. The campaign will provide information on risk factors, warning signs, and prevention guidelines while encouraging participation in clinical trials and screenings, and it will be developed in partnership with healthcare providers, hospitals, and relevant health associations. Funding for this initiative will come from the Cigarette Restitution Fund, with a total appropriation capped at $750,000 for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. The Department is required to submit progress reports to the General Assembly every year starting in 2027 to demonstrate how well the campaign is meeting its measurable goals.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 153: Medical Records - Fees - Attorneys Representing Patients

This Maryland bill expands the list of people who can request medical records without paying a fee to include attorneys representing patients. The law specifically allows these attorneys to obtain records free of charge when the documents are needed to file or appeal a claim for Social Security disability income or benefits. By adding attorneys to the existing exemptions that already cover patients and their personal representatives, the bill ensures legal advocates can access necessary medical information without incurring costs. The changes take effect on October 1, 2024, and apply to all health care providers in the state.

Bill results