Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1192: State Board of Sign Language Interpreters - Membership and Licensing

HB 1192 expands Maryland's State Board of Sign Language Interpreters from 7 to 11 members, requiring specific representation including deaf individuals, deafblind people, licensed interpreters from various settings (medical, legal, educational), and agency owners. The bill delays the deadline for the Board to establish licensing requirements from July 1, 2024, to December 31, 2026, and sets new rules for member removal if they miss meetings, fail to meet qualifications, or commit misconduct. Sign language interpreters in Maryland who provide services in the state will be directly affected by the updated licensing requirements and the Board's new structure. The bill also mandates that appointed members reflect Maryland's racial and geographic diversity where practicable.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requires medical interpreter representation on licensing board, improving healthcare access for deaf patients in medical settings per healthcare topic definition.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1483: Clinical Professional Counseling - Out-of-State Providers - Use of Telehealth for Continuity of Care

HB 1483 repeals Maryland's requirement for out-of-state clinical counselors to obtain a temporary telehealth license. It allows licensed counselors from other states to provide telehealth counseling to clients who relocated to Maryland (or returned after relocating), for up to six months, if they already had an established client-counselor relationship before the move. This exempts these counselors from Maryland's standard licensure rules during the six-month continuity period, but only for existing clients who relocated - not for new clients. The bill does not change regular licensing requirements for ongoing practice in Maryland.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves licensure barrier for out-of-state counselors providing telehealth mental health services, improving access for relocated clients during continuity period.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 773: Health Occupations - Pharmacists - Vaccination Orders

SB 773 allows pharmacists in Maryland to order certain vaccinations (like flu, COVID-19, or emergency vaccines) for patients aged 3 and older without needing to administer the vaccine themselves. To qualify, pharmacists must complete 20 hours of approved training, hold current CPR certification, and complete 2 hours of continuing education on immunizations. The bill requires pharmacists to follow written vaccine-specific protocols, report all vaccinations to Maryland’s ImmuNet registry, and refer pediatric patients to primary care providers when appropriate. This policy directly affects pharmacists, patients seeking these vaccines, and healthcare coordination for immunizations. The changes take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands pharmacist authority to order vaccinations, improving patient access to immunizations without physician referral while maintaining safety protocols.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 159: Emergency Medical Services - Vehicles and Ambulances - Required Supplies

SB 159 requires Maryland's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers to maintain specific equipment and supplies on ambulances, including neonatal care items, and mandates quarterly reviews of performance data like response times and service quality. It also requires counties to establish formal, accessible complaint systems for ambulance quality or conduct issues, with online and in-person filing, tracking, and quarterly reporting to the state EMS Institute. These provisions directly affect all counties and municipalities operating or contracting EMS services, as well as the Maryland Institute for EMS Systems, which coordinates the statewide standards. The bill aims to standardize ambulance equipment, improve accountability through data reviews, and enhance patient access to complaint resolution. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates ambulance equipment standards, performance reviews, and complaint systems to improve EMS service quality and patient safety, directly strengthening emergency healthcare delivery.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 347: Workers' Compensation - Occupational Disease Presumptions - Hypertension

HB 347 adds hypertension to the list of occupational diseases presumed work-related for specific emergency responders in Maryland. It creates a legal presumption that firefighters, firefighting instructors, rescue squad members, advanced life support unit members, and State Fire Marshal staff with hypertension are entitled to workers' compensation benefits if they meet four conditions: diagnosed by a provider, prescribed hypertension medication for 90+ consecutive days, completed 2+ years of cumulative service in the state, and are currently employed in that role. This bill modifies Maryland’s workers’ compensation law (specifically Sections 9-502 and 9-503) to expand eligibility for these occupations without requiring separate proof that hypertension resulted from their job duties. It directly affects these emergency personnel seeking compensation for hypertension-related disability or death.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds hypertension to occupational disease presumptions for emergency responders, ensuring automatic workers' comp access for hypertension treatment, expanding healthcare coverage access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdds hypertension to occupational disease presumptions for emergency responders, creating legal presumption for workers' comp benefits and easing burden of proof for covered conditions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 446: Health - Dementia Services and Brain Health Program and Provider Resource Toolkit

HB 446 establishes the Dementia Services and Brain Health Program within Maryland’s Department of Health to lead state public health efforts on brain health and dementia. The program replaces the previous "Director" role for key duties, including staffing the Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Council and overseeing implementation of the State Plan on Alzheimer’s and related dementias. It requires the program, in partnership with the Department of Aging and other entities, to develop a clinical toolkit for healthcare providers to improve dementia care. The bill updates existing law to formalize this program structure and its responsibilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a dedicated public health program within Maryland's Department of Health to lead dementia and brain health initiatives, advancing public health efforts in healthcare through structured implementation of state plans.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 422: Public Health - Expedited Partner Therapy - Bacterial Vaginosis and Licensed Certified Midwives

HB 422 expands Maryland's expedited partner therapy (EPT) program to include bacterial vaginosis (BV), allowing certain healthcare providers to prescribe antibiotics to a partner of a diagnosed patient without requiring a physical exam of the partner. The bill specifically adds BV to the list of conditions (alongside chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis) where physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and designated health department nurses can provide treatment to partners. This applies to patients diagnosed with BV, aiming to reduce reinfection and slow disease spread without requiring partners to visit a clinic. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands EPT access for BV partners, improving treatment access without requiring physical exams for partners, aligning with patient access indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 374: State Acupuncture Board - Revisions

HB 374 revises Maryland's acupuncture licensing rules to clarify that "manual therapies" (like acupressure) are included under licensed acupuncture practice. It requires the State Acupuncture Board to provide proof of license renewal instead of issuing physical renewal certificates. The bill also explicitly prohibits employers from hiring unlicensed practitioners and bans aiding or abetting unauthorized acupuncture practice. These changes directly affect licensed acupuncturists, their employers, and individuals seeking acupuncture services in Maryland. The revisions aim to modernize licensing procedures while strengthening enforcement against unlicensed activity.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies acupuncture licensing to ensure patient safety, prevents unlicensed practice, and strengthens regulatory standards for healthcare services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 370: State Acupuncture Board - Revisions

SB 370 revises Maryland's acupuncture licensing rules by defining "manual therapies" as part of licensed acupuncture practice and requiring the State Acupuncture Board to provide proof of license renewal instead of issuing physical renewal certificates. The bill prohibits employers from hiring unlicensed acupuncture practitioners or aiding unauthorized practice, with penalties including civil fines up to $50,000 and criminal charges for repeat offenses. It directly affects licensed acupuncturists, their employers, and clinics that hire practitioners, clarifying what constitutes authorized practice under state law. The changes take effect October 1, 2026, and align licensing standards with national certification requirements for new applicants.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens healthcare regulation by requiring licensed acupuncture practitioners, preventing unlicensed practice, and protecting patient safety through enforcement.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 39: Behavioral Health Rate Methodology Modernization - Workgroup Establishment and Study

SB 39 establishes a workgroup to develop a sustainable reimbursement rate methodology for Maryland's Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) and Outpatient Mental Health Centers (OMHCs), directly affecting behavioral health providers facing financial strain due to outdated rates. The bill requires the Maryland Department of Health to conduct a cost study of OMHC services, form an advisory panel to review rate recommendations, and increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for OMHCs in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Key provisions include evaluating provider costs, workforce needs, and alignment with somatic health care parity, while addressing closures like those in Frederick County. The workgroup must report findings by December 2027, aiming to stabilize provider finances and ensure continued access to community mental health care.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases Medicaid reimbursement rates for mental health centers, directly funding public health services through state budget allocations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid reimbursement rates for mental health centers to address financial strain and ensure provider sustainability, directly supporting behavioral health services funding.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare