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 Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 883: Consumer Protection - Artificial Intelligence - Behavioral Health Care Prohibitions

HB 883 prohibits AI developers from making or causing AI to make claims that the AI is a behavioral health provider or can deliver behavioral health care services. It requires AI sold to Maryland consumers to include clear notices stating users are interacting with AI (not a human) and to detect suicidal thoughts or self-harm, automatically referring users to crisis services. Violations carry civil penalties up to $1 million per offense, with funds directed to Maryland’s Behavioral Health Workgroup Investment Fund. The law directly affects AI developers and sellers operating in Maryland, focusing on preventing misleading AI interactions in mental health contexts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits AI from impersonating behavioral health providers, mandates crisis referrals for suicidal thoughts, and directs penalties to behavioral health programs, strengthening mental health protections.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates AI developers to prevent deceptive claims and mandate safety features, protecting consumers from misuse of AI in behavioral health services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2026

HB 860: Petitions for Emergency Evaluation (Arnaud and Magruder Memorial Act)

HB 860, the Arnaud and Magruder Memorial Act, sets a 5-day initial limit for emergency evaluation petitions after court approval, with extensions of up to 5 days each (totaling no more than 30 days) based on the individual's current behavior. The bill requires courts to include the petition's expiration date and clarifies that peace officers must transport individuals to emergency facilities when holding a valid petition (either court-endorsed within 5 days or signed by authorized professionals), allowing electronic petitions. This law directly affects courts reviewing petitions, peace officers executing them, emergency facilities receiving individuals, and people subject to emergency evaluations. It standardizes timelines and procedures to ensure timely care while preventing prolonged detention without court review.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates transport to emergency facilities for valid petitions, improving access to mental health evaluations under emergency protocols.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 23, 2026

HB 1325: Workers' Compensation - Evaluation of Permanent Impairments - Licensed Social Worker-Clinical

HB 1325 authorizes licensed clinical social workers to evaluate permanent impairments involving behavioral or mental disorders in Maryland workers' compensation claims. It requires these social workers to meet specific qualifications, including training in mental/behavioral conditions, rehabilitation counseling registration, two years of post-licensure experience, and COMAR authorization. The bill directly affects workers seeking compensation for mental/behavioral impairments and licensed clinical social workers who wish to provide these evaluations. It amends Maryland’s workers’ compensation law (Article 9, Section 9-721) to expand evaluation eligibility beyond psychologists and physicians. The changes take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes licensed clinical social workers to evaluate mental/behavioral impairments in workers' comp, expanding access to mental health assessments within healthcare framework.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAuthorizes clinical social workers to evaluate mental/behavioral impairments in workers' comp claims, expanding access to benefits for affected workers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 23, 2026

HB 1593: Community Pathways Waiver - Adoption of Regulations

HB 1593 requires Maryland's Deputy Secretary for Developmental Disabilities to provide public notice before changing the Self-Directed Services Manual, which governs waiver program services for individuals with developmental disabilities. The bill mandates a 90-day public comment period for proposed changes and prohibits adopting any revisions until this period ends. It directly affects individuals and families using self-directed services - where participants control their own care choices, staffing, and budget management - and ensures their input is considered before policy changes take effect. This procedural bill amends Maryland’s health code to formalize transparency and public engagement in updating the manual (effective October 1, 2026).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires public comment before changing self-directed services manual, protecting existing healthcare access for developmental disability waiver program participants.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 23, 2026

HB 837: Education - Student Athletic Activities - Cardiovascular Prescreening

HB 837 requires all Maryland public and nonpublic schools with athletic programs to include a cardiovascular prescreening as part of the standard physical examination for students participating in interscholastic sports, starting in the 2026-2027 school year. This prescreening - based on family history, personal symptoms, and evidence-based guidelines - must be conducted no earlier than 90 days before the school year begins. If a positive finding occurs, healthcare providers must refer students to a cardiologist for further evaluation. Schools must report annual data on screenings and referrals to county health departments, with the Maryland Department of Health publishing public reports analyzing outcomes. The bill directly affects student athletes, schools, and healthcare providers conducting sports physicals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires cardiovascular prescreening for student athletes to prevent cardiac issues, advancing preventive healthcare services in school sports programs.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 23, 2026

HB 952: Consumer Protection - Companion Chatbots - Regulation

HB 952 requires operators of "companion chatbots" (AI systems designed to meet social needs through human-like interactions) to establish safety protocols, including preventing harmful content like self-harm discussions and sexually explicit material for minors. Operators must publish these protocols online, display clear warnings that chatbots are AI (not human), and provide crisis resource referrals for users expressing suicidal thoughts. The bill also mandates that operators of chatbots used by minors display mandatory break reminders after 3 hours of continuous use. It excludes business customer service bots, video game features, and basic voice assistants from these requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates crisis referrals for suicidal users, directly supporting mental health access within healthcare services85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates safety protocols, AI transparency, and crisis resources for companion chatbots, aligning with consumer protection regulations in tech policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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