HB 1366 requires Maryland health insurance plans to cover cervical Pap tests for all individuals and ovarian cancer surveillance tests (CA-125, ultrasound, or pelvic exams) for those with specific risk factors, such as a family history of ovarian cancer or BRCA gene mutations. It prohibits insurers from charging copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles for these tests, except in high-deductible health plans where the plan's standard deductible still applies. The law applies to all health insurers and health maintenance organizations providing coverage in Maryland and takes effect January 1, 2026. This directly affects individuals seeking preventive cancer screenings, particularly those at higher risk for ovarian cancer.
HB 1388 establishes a Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) for eligible members of Maryland's Employees' Pension System and Teachers' Pension System. The bill creates a new provision (Section 23-401.1) allowing qualifying state employees to delay formal retirement while continuing to receive pension benefits based on their service. To implement this, the State Retirement Agency must seek a specific IRS determination letter to ensure the program meets federal tax requirements. The program directly affects state employees who meet the existing service and age criteria under the pension systems, providing them an alternative to immediate retirement. This is a structural change to the pension rules, not a procedural or commemorative measure.
HB 743 establishes the Health Care Quality Fund for Community-Based Behavioral Health Programs within Maryland’s Department of Health. The fund is financed by civil penalties collected from behavioral health programs (paid to the Comptroller and distributed to the fund) and interest earnings, with money used to support training, grants, and projects improving behavioral health care quality. It directly affects behavioral health programs paying penalties and community programs receiving funding, while ensuring the fund is permanent (nonlapsing) and supplemental to existing state funding for behavioral health administration. The bill creates a dedicated funding stream to enhance service quality without replacing current appropriations.
HB 1437 repeals Maryland's existing law that granted healthcare providers immunity from civil or criminal liability when acting in good faith during a declared catastrophic health emergency. This bill directly affects healthcare providers who previously had legal protection under Section 14-3A-06 of the Maryland Annotated Code. The key provision removes this immunity, meaning providers could face legal consequences for their actions during emergencies starting October 1, 2025. The bill does not create new protections or alter emergency response procedures.
HB 149 modifies Maryland's income tax law to allow residents to subtract certain court-ordered child support payments from their taxable income. It specifically permits taxpayers to deduct payments made "to another person on behalf of the individual’s child" that are required by a court order. This change directly affects Maryland residents who pay child support, reducing their state taxable income for the 2025 tax year and beyond. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.
HB 937 increases Maryland's sales and use tax rate to 12% for firearms, firearm accessories (like magazines, scopes, and stocks), and ammunition. This change directly affects anyone purchasing these items within Maryland, applying the new tax rate to the full price of the transaction. The bill redefines key terms in tax law to align with existing public safety definitions (e.g., "firearm" from §5-101 and "firearm accessory" from §5-133.1) and sets the 12% rate as a specific provision in tax code section 11-104(l). The policy change takes effect on July 1, 2025.
HB 198 establishes a permanent Crime Solvers Reward Fund within Maryland's Department of Public Safety to provide grants to law enforcement agencies and county reward programs for paying rewards to individuals who provide information leading to the arrest and conviction in murder or attempted murder cases involving a firearm. The fund, financed through state budget allocations, federal programs, private donations, and interest earnings (which are added back to the fund), must be used exclusively for these specific rewards. To qualify, individuals must not have participated in the crime, must have provided credible, cooperative information, and must have directly aided investigations. The Department of Public Safety must report annually to the legislature on the number of rewards issued and total funds distributed.
SB 878 repeals Maryland’s current ban on hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas exploration and production, authorizing the activity for the first time. It directly affects oil and gas companies seeking to operate in Maryland by allowing them to conduct hydraulic fracturing under new regulations. The bill requires the Maryland Department of the Environment to adopt specific rules governing how fracturing is conducted, including safety and environmental protections. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, replacing the existing prohibition with a regulated authorization framework.
SB 505 modifies Maryland's annexation rules to allow certain redevelopment authorities to initiate annexation petitions and vote in referendums. Specifically, it permits these authorities (in charter counties that own state-funded redevelopment property under a competitive contract) to sign petitions and vote when fewer than 20 residents qualify to do so. The bill amends Section 4-413 of Maryland's Annotated Code to expand eligibility for petition signers beyond just residents. This change streamlines the annexation process for designated redevelopment projects without altering voting requirements for residents.
SB 638 requires the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to collect an 8% surcharge on hotel rentals at Savage River Lodge. The proceeds will be sent to Garrett County, which must use 6% of the surcharge for promoting the county and the remaining 2% for the county’s general fund. This bill directly affects hotel guests staying at Savage River Lodge and provides a dedicated funding source for Garrett County’s promotional efforts and general operations. It amends Maryland law to establish this specific surcharge mechanism for the lodge property. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 1240 prohibits health care providers and insurers from using artificial intelligence systems designed solely to cut costs at the expense of care quality, delays, or coverage denials. It requires these entities to publicly post annual data about AI-driven decisions (including misdiagnosis rates and overrides by staff) on their websites starting in 2026, and undergo third-party audits to verify alignment with medical/ethical standards. The bill directly affects hospitals, clinics, insurers, and other covered health care entities that use AI for clinical or coverage decisions. Violations could result in fines up to $10,000 per offense, with penalties considering factors like severity and history of violations.
HB 1012 requires the State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners to set continuing education rules for licensed massage therapists in Maryland. It mandates that therapists complete approved courses for license renewal, with at least half of the required hours involving supervised hands-on techniques. The board can deny license renewal if therapists fail to attend required courses or submit proof of completion. This bill directly affects all currently licensed massage therapists seeking to renew their state licenses after July 1, 2026.
