Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 169: Hospitals - Emergency Pregnancy-Related Medical Conditions - Procedures

This bill requires Maryland hospitals to screen patients in emergency departments for pregnancy-related medical emergencies. If a patient has such a condition, hospitals must stabilize it through appropriate treatment - including pregnancy termination when medically necessary - before transferring them, and cannot transfer unstable patients without following federal emergency transfer rules. It prohibits hospitals from retaliating against staff who refuse transfers of unstable patients or report violations, and imposes civil penalties (up to $50,000) for noncompliance. The law applies to all Maryland hospitals and aims to ensure timely, stable care for pregnant patients in medical crises.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires hospitals to stabilize pregnancy emergencies including necessary termination, protecting patient access and rights in emergency care per bill language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 905: Maryland Technology Development Corporation - Maryland Advanced Manufacturing Grant Program - Established

This bill establishes the Maryland Advanced Manufacturing Grant Program within the Maryland Technology Development Corporation to support companies specializing in regenerative medicine and other advanced manufacturing sectors. The program will provide grants that recipients can use exclusively for acquiring or renovating manufacturing space, improving infrastructure, and purchasing necessary equipment. A dedicated fund will be created to hold grant money, with interest earnings credited back to the fund rather than the state's general fund. The Corporation will work with the Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission to set eligibility criteria, application procedures, and award amounts, with the program taking effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a grant program funded by state resources to support manufacturing and regenerative medicine sectors, representing new government spending for economic development.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds advanced manufacturing including regenerative medicine, which directly supports healthcare innovation and development.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes grant program to fund advanced manufacturing and technology development, directly supporting technology sector growth90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 625: Human-Relevant Research Fund - Collection of Contributions - Responsible Entity

HB 625 shifts responsibility for collecting fees from research facilities to the Maryland Department of Agriculture, replacing the current system under the Department of Health. It requires facilities submitting USDA Form 7023 (for animal testing) to pay annual contributions based on animal count: $5,000 for ≤100 animals, $10,000 for 101-500, $55,000 for 501-5,000, and $75,000 for over 5,000. Funds collected will support the Human-Relevant Research Fund established under Maryland’s Economic Development Article. The bill repeals existing health code provisions and creates new agriculture code sections for this fee structure, effective October 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes mandatory annual fees ($5k-$75k) based on animal counts, directing collected funds to a specific research fund, creating new revenue and fiscal allocation.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates Human-Relevant Research Fund to support medical research alternatives, advancing healthcare innovation through funding animal testing fee shifts.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1367: Commission on Re-Imagining Health Care in Maryland

HB 1367 establishes a Commission on Re-Imagining Health Care in Maryland to study and recommend changes for a new statewide healthcare system. The commission, composed of 20 appointed members including state officials, healthcare providers, insurers, county representatives, and community members, will examine how healthcare is delivered in other regions and address issues like provider shortages, cost balancing, and system integration. It will specifically study how to create a patient-centered system covering all health needs, eliminate access barriers, and ensure financial sustainability for all Maryland residents. The commission’s final recommendations, due by 2028, would guide potential future policy changes but do not enact any immediate healthcare reforms.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes commission to study and recommend improvements to statewide healthcare system, addressing provider shortages and cost balancing for patient-centered care.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1016: Noncompete and Conflict of Interest Clauses - Licensed Architects - Employer Workforce Relocation and Out-of-State Employers

HB 1016 invalidates noncompete and conflict-of-interest clauses in employment contracts for certain employees if their employer relocates the majority of its employees or principal business location outside Maryland. It directly affects low-wage workers (earning ≤150% of state minimum wage), healthcare workers providing direct patient care (earning ≤$350,000 annually), and veterinary professionals. For high-earning healthcare workers ($350,000+), the bill allows limited 1-year noncompete restrictions within 10 miles of their prior workplace. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies only to contracts signed after that date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill invalidates noncompete clauses for healthcare workers providing direct patient care (≤$350k), protecting their mobility and workforce stability in healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentInvalidates noncompete clauses for low-wage, healthcare, and veterinary workers when employers relocate, directly protecting worker mobility and rights under employment standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1135: Health Occupations - Pharmacists - Vaccination Orders

HB 1135 allows pharmacists in Maryland to order certain vaccinations for patients aged 3 and older without needing to administer the vaccine themselves. Pharmacists must complete 20+ hours of approved training covering vaccine safety, injection techniques, and emergency response, hold current CPR certification, and report all vaccinations to the ImmuNet program. The bill specifically covers influenza, COVID-19, and emergency-use vaccines, and requires pharmacists to refer minors to pediatric care when ordering vaccines. This expands pharmacists' role in vaccine access while maintaining safety protocols and reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands pharmacist authority to order vaccines for patients 3+, increasing access to public health services and aligning with vaccination coverage goals without physician oversight.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 595: Income Tax - Credit for Physician Preceptors in Areas With Health Care Workforce Shortages - Alterations

HB 595 modifies Maryland's income tax credit for physicians mentoring medical students in underserved areas. It removes a requirement that students must be enrolled in a Maryland medical school or training program and reduces the required hours per preceptor rotation from 100 to 90 for community-based clinical training. Licensed physicians serving as preceptors in designated healthcare shortage areas may claim a $1,000 tax credit per qualifying student rotation, capped at $10,000 annually per physician and $100,000 statewide. The bill aims to expand access to physician mentorship by broadening eligibility for the credit, directly benefiting doctors and medical training programs in regions facing healthcare workforce shortages.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a $1,000 tax credit per qualifying student rotation for physicians, providing direct tax relief to incentivize healthcare workforce development in underserved areas.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands tax credit accessibility for physician preceptors in healthcare shortage areas, removing enrollment restrictions and reducing hour requirements to strengthen workforce development in underserved communities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 412: Maryland Department of Health - Forensic Review Boards and Community Forensic Aftercare Program

SB 412 establishes Maryland’s Community Forensic Aftercare Program within the Maryland Department of Health. The program monitors two groups: individuals committed to the health department due to being "not criminally responsible" (often called "not guilty by reason of insanity" cases), and people with mental illness or intellectual disability requiring community monitoring under specific legal circumstances. Key mechanisms include creating a community monitoring board to decide on conditional release and out-of-state travel, and requiring licensed social workers ("Program Monitors") to track compliance with court orders and make health recommendations. The bill amends Maryland’s Criminal Procedure and Health codes to implement this program, focusing on safety and structured oversight for these individuals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes community monitoring program for mental health cases to improve rehabilitation and reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mental health aftercare program under health department, supporting community monitoring for mental illness cases per bill's focus on forensic mental health services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 411: Hospitals - Clinical Staffing Committees and Plans - Establishment (Safe Staffing Act of 2026)

SB 411 requires non-state hospitals in Maryland to establish clinical staffing committees with equal representation from management and frontline staff, including nurses, technicians, and other caregivers. These committees must develop evidence-based staffing plans considering patient acuity, staffing gaps, and daily patient needs, which hospitals must implement starting January 1, 2028. Hospitals must annually review these plans, publicly post staffing data on units, and submit annual reports to the Maryland Health Care Commission beginning in 2030. The bill directly affects hospital operations, staffing decisions, and transparency for frontline workers and patients.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires hospitals to establish staffing committees and develop evidence-based plans addressing patient acuity and staffing gaps, directly improving patient safety and care quality per healthcare policy indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires equal frontline staff representation in staffing committees, directly strengthening worker input on workplace safety and staffing conditions per bill's evidence-based plan mandate.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare