Healthcare

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 1617: Public Health - Health Innovation Zones - Establishment

HB 1617 establishes "Health Innovation Zones" in Maryland counties to address health disparities. It defines zones as areas with documented health gaps (like high maternal complications, chronic diseases, or low access to care) in communities of color, low-income areas, or immigrant populations. Counties must create incentives for grocery stores, pharmacies, and healthcare providers to locate in these zones, and Prince George’s County must designate specific zones (including the Blue Line Corridor and areas near DC) while seeking additional zones meeting the same criteria. The bill requires annual $5 million state funding starting in 2028 for the Maryland Economic Development Corporation to support these businesses and exempts them from local zoning laws within designated zones.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes Health Innovation Zones to incentivize healthcare providers in underserved areas, directly improving access and addressing health disparities per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 23, 2026

HB 1143: Public Health - Office of the Chief Medical Examiner - Perinatal Autopsies (Lung Float Test Ban)

HB 1143 bans the use of the "lung float test" (a hydrostatic lung test) during perinatal autopsies in Maryland. It directly affects the Chief Medical Examiner, deputy examiners, assistant examiners, and authorized pathologists when determining if a death was a stillbirth or occurred after a live birth. The bill prohibits this specific test method and allows parents, guardians, or legal representatives to file a civil lawsuit if the test is used unlawfully. Violations also become grounds for disciplinary action against medical examiners.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans lung float test in perinatal autopsies, protecting parental rights and preventing unnecessary medical procedures per healthcare patient rights indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 23, 2026

HB 1150: Health Occupations - Pharmacists - Minor Conditions and HIV Prevention and Treatment (Rapid Testing and Preventive Care Act)

HB 1150 expands pharmacists' scope of practice in Maryland to prescribe, administer, and dispense medications for specific minor conditions and HIV prevention/treatment under statewide protocols. It directly affects pharmacists (by allowing new clinical duties) and patients (by increasing access to care for conditions like cold sores, strep throat, flu, lice, urinary infections, and HIV testing). Key provisions include permitting pharmacists to prescribe for minor, self-limiting conditions without a new diagnosis and to perform/interpret HIV lab tests while prescribing PrEP/PEP medications. The bill repeals the previous nPEP standing order program and requires the Maryland Department of Health to establish these protocols.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands pharmacists' prescribing authority for minor conditions and HIV prevention/treatment, directly increasing patient access to care per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 23, 2026

HB 1048: Public Health - Chain Restaurants - Sodium and Added Sugars Warning Icons and Disclosure and Notice

HB 1048 requires Maryland chain restaurants with 20 or more locations to display warning icons next to menu items containing high sodium (1,150mg+ per serving) or high added sugars (25mg+ per serving) starting January 1, 2028. The Maryland Department of Health must adopt regulations by January 2027 establishing the icon designs, minimum sizes, and accompanying text. The bill also mandates a 2027 public education campaign to help restaurants comply with the new requirements. This directly affects large chain restaurants operating in Maryland, aiming to increase consumer awareness of nutritional content in menu items.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires chain restaurants to display health warning icons for high sodium/sugars, promoting consumer awareness and preventive public health measures per Maryland Department of Health regulations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 1042: Health Occupations - Structural Racism Training - Funding Sources

HB 1042 requires structural racism training for health occupations (like nurses) to be funded through external sources, such as grants, so the state does not bear the cost. It specifically references a grant from the American Nurses Association to the Maryland Nurses Association as an example funding source. The bill clarifies that this training must be offered at no cost to the state, amending prior law to emphasize external funding. The requirement takes effect June 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires structural racism training for healthcare workers via external funding, promoting equitable care practices and addressing systemic disparities in health services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 19, 2026

HB 1108: Labor and Employment - Greenhouse Workers - Collective Bargaining and Heat Protection

HB 1108 grants collective bargaining rights to workers in Maryland greenhouses (controlled-environment agricultural operations), allowing them to form unions and negotiate wages, hours, and working conditions with employers. The bill requires the state Labor Secretary to establish regulations for union elections, certification, and resolving bargaining disputes, while mandating greenhouse employers to provide rest breaks during extreme heat to prevent heat-related illness. This law directly affects greenhouse workers and their employers, creating a formal process for union representation and heat protection. It amends Maryland's labor code to include these specific protections for greenhouse workers, who previously lacked these rights under state law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates rest breaks during extreme heat to prevent heat-related illness, directly protecting worker health and aligning with public health safety measures.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentGrants collective bargaining rights and mandates heat protection for greenhouse workers, advancing labor rights and workplace safety.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 18, 2026

HB 599: Health - Licensure of Hospitals - Ownership Requirements

HB 599 requires hospitals seeking a new license or undergoing ownership changes after October 1, 2026, to be federally recognized nonprofit organizations registered with the state. Specifically, it mandates that hospitals qualifying for licensure on or after that date must operate as nonprofits under federal law and maintain that status as a condition of their license. The bill also prohibits transferring ownership of any licensed hospital after October 1, 2026, to any entity other than another nonprofit organization. This directly affects hospitals seeking new licenses, renewing licenses, or changing ownership in Maryland after the effective date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates nonprofit hospital ownership to prioritize community care over profit, aligning with protecting patient access and preventing profit-driven service cuts.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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