Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 646: Health Insurance - Insulin - Prohibition on Step Therapy or Fail-First Protocols

SB 646 prohibits health insurers, nonprofit health plans, and health maintenance organizations in Maryland from requiring patients to try cheaper diabetes medications first before covering insulin or similar drugs for Type 1, Type 2, or gestational diabetes. It specifically bans "step therapy" or "fail-first" protocols for insulin, insulin analogs, or other prescription drugs that perform insulin's function (regardless of delivery method). The law applies to all health plans issued, delivered, or renewed in Maryland after January 1, 2026, ensuring patients can access prescribed insulin without prior authorization hurdles. This directly affects diabetes patients and insurers covering prescription drugs under Maryland law.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 20, 2025

HB 1035: Electricity and Gas - Emissions Reductions, Rate Regulation, Cost Recovery, Infrastructure, Planning, Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, and Energy Assistance Programs (Next Generation Energy Act)

HB 1035, the "Next Generation Energy Act," requires Maryland's Energy Administration to negotiate agreements with neighboring states and federal agencies to develop new nuclear energy projects, particularly small modular reactors on federal land or near military facilities. It prohibits electricity suppliers from bypassing transmission systems when selling directly to large commercial/industrial customers (100+ MW demand) and mandates electric companies to procure nuclear energy from a designated escrow account. The bill establishes a new procurement process for approving nuclear and dispatchable energy projects, with requirements for the Public Service Commission to expedite reviews and for minority business assistance programs to support applicants. These changes directly affect Maryland utilities, nuclear developers, and large energy consumers, aiming to advance nuclear energy development within the state's grid planning framework.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 839: Dorchester County – Alcoholic Beverages – Beer, Wine, and Liquor Tasting License

SB 839 allows Dorchester County businesses with Class A alcohol licenses (e.g., bars, restaurants) to offer limited liquor tastings alongside beer and wine, under specific rules. It creates a new "BWLT" license requiring written event notice 7 days in advance, with strict limits: no more than 0.5 ounces per liquor sample and 1.5 ounces total per person daily. The license fee is $150 for up to 15 annual tastings or $250 for up to 30, and businesses must dispose of leftover tasting liquor properly. This bill only applies to Dorchester County and modifies local licensing rules for alcohol service.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 20, 2025

HB 553: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Maternal Health Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring

HB 553 requires Maryland's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) to cover self-measured blood pressure monitoring for eligible pregnant, postpartum, or chronically ill individuals starting January 1, 2026. It specifically covers Medicaid recipients with conditions like diabetes, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, or cardiometabolic disorders. The bill mandates coverage for validated home blood pressure monitors and reimburses healthcare providers for training, data interpretation, and remote monitoring support. Additionally, it requires the state to launch an education campaign and submit annual reports on usage, health outcomes, and cost savings related to the program.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 20, 2025

HB 599: State Personnel - BWI Airport Fire and Rescue Department - Collective Bargaining and Arbitration Processes

HB 599 modifies collective bargaining rules for uniformed fire employees at the BWI Airport Fire and Rescue Department. It requires the State and union to reach a new agreement by September 30 before a contract expires, instead of the standard January 1 deadline for other state employees. If negotiations reach an impasse by October 1, the parties must submit final offers within 48 hours and select a binding arbitrator from the American Arbitration Association’s labor panel within five business days. The bill replaces the standard fact-finder process for this department with mandatory binding arbitration to resolve disputes.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 20, 2025

HB 1387: Howard County - Alcoholic Beverages - Class D Licenses - Delivery

HB 1387 modifies Howard County's rules for delivering alcoholic beverages under Class D licenses (held by businesses like restaurants or retailers). It restricts deliveries to within Howard County only, requires delivery personnel to verify the recipient's age (21+) with valid ID and document this, and mandates that someone 21+ must be physically present to accept the order at delivery time. The bill also requires both the deliverer and recipient to sign a form confirming these conditions were met. These changes directly affect Class D license holders and their employees who deliver alcohol within Howard County.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 20, 2025

HB 1301: Maryland Medical Assistance Program, Maryland Children’s Health Program, and Health Insurance – Transfers to Special Pediatric Hospitals – Prior Authorizations

HB 1301 prohibits the Maryland Medical Assistance Program, Maryland Children’s Health Program, managed care organizations, and certain health insurers from requiring prior authorization for transfers to special pediatric hospitals. The bill defines "special pediatric hospitals" as facilities providing nonacute medical, rehabilitation, therapy, and palliative care to individuals under 22 years old, or those aged 2-22 with co-occurring physical and behavioral health conditions. It amends Maryland law to require coverage for such transfers without prior approval, effective January 1, 2026. This directly affects Medicaid programs, children’s health programs, and health insurers covering hospital or medical services in Maryland.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 20, 2025

HB 970: Health Insurance - Insulin - Prohibition on Step Therapy or Fail-First Protocols

HB 970 prohibits Maryland health insurers, nonprofit health plans, and health maintenance organizations from requiring patients to try less expensive diabetes medications before covering insulin. It directly affects people with type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes who rely on insulin or similar insulin analogs for treatment. The bill bans "step therapy" or "fail-first" protocols - where insurers force patients to attempt alternative drugs first - regardless of how insurers label these policies. This change takes effect for all new or renewed health insurance policies on or after January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 495: Opioid Restitution Fund - Authorized Uses

SB 495 amends Maryland's Opioid Restitution Fund rules to explicitly allow using fund money for the operating costs and staff of the Attorney General's Opioids Enforcement Unit. This unit investigates and enforces actions to recover funds from opioid-related settlements or judgments. The bill expands the Fund's authorized uses to include these enforcement activities alongside existing provisions for substance use disorder prevention, treatment, harm reduction programs, and community recovery services. It directly affects the Attorney General's Office and ensures funds support both enforcement efforts and community health programs funded by opioid settlements.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 376: Maryland Department of Health and Office of Health Care Quality - Nursing Home Inspections - Reporting

SB 376 allows counties to conduct nursing home inspections upon request, shifting this responsibility from the state health department. The bill requires the Maryland Department of Health and the requesting county to share the costs of these inspections equally. It does not change existing requirements for annual inspections, unannounced visits, or complaint investigations (which remain under state oversight), but instead modifies how inspections are administered by adding county delegation as an option. This directly affects nursing homes (through potential county inspections) and counties (which gain new inspection authority).

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 669: Public Safety - Rape Kit Testing - Tracking Program and Grant Fund

SB 669 modifies Maryland's Rape Kit Testing Grant Fund to prioritize testing untested sexual assault evidence kits collected before October 1, 2020. The fund will now specifically provide resources for law enforcement agencies to test these backlog kits, fund the Attorney General's office to assist investigations, and support a statewide victim notification hotline operated by the Sexual Assault Coalition. Key provisions require the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy to distribute annual funding until all pre-2020 kits are processed, with minimum funding levels unless federal grants cover the same purpose. The bill prohibits using the fund for the existing Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Tracking System. This directly affects victims of past sexual assaults, law enforcement agencies, and state offices handling sexual assault cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 20, 2025

HB 1310: Prescription Drug Repository Program - Revisions

HB 1310 revises Maryland's Prescription Drug Repository Program to allow pharmacies licensed in other states to serve as repositories for donating unused prescription drugs. The bill defines "licensed pharmacy" to include out-of-state pharmacies meeting the same standards as Maryland-licensed pharmacies (e.g., no active disciplinary actions, voluntary participation, and adherence to safety protocols). This expansion enables more pharmacies to join the program, increasing access to donated medications for needy individuals while maintaining existing requirements for drug handling, patient confidentiality, and secure storage. The change directly affects out-of-state pharmacies seeking to participate and expands the program's reach without altering who benefits from donated drugs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results