Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 907: Public Health - Female Genital Mutilation

This bill expands Maryland's child abuse reporting requirements by explicitly including female genital mutilation in the legal definition of abuse, which directly affects healthcare providers, educators, and other mandated reporters. It mandates that these professionals report suspected cases of female genital mutilation to authorities and increases penalties for violations while allowing individuals subjected to the procedure to file civil lawsuits for relief. The legislation also requires the Maryland Department of Health to create and distribute educational materials about female genital mutilation in partnership with various public and private organizations. Additionally, the bill authorizes health licensing boards to revoke licenses of individuals who commit violations related to female genital mutilation under specific circumstances.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens child abuse reporting requirements and protects patients by criminalizing FGM and enabling civil lawsuits, advancing healthcare protection standards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 1094: Health Insurance - Graduate-Level Clinical Interns - Required Reimbursement

HB 1094 requires Maryland health insurers to reimburse individuals for services provided by graduate-level clinical interns in counseling, social work, and psychology under specific conditions. It applies to insureds covered by policies meeting Maryland’s jurisdictional requirements (e.g., issued in-state or covering Maryland residents). Reimbursement is mandated only when interns work under direct supervision of licensed professionals at outpatient facilities and services are billed by the supervising clinician. The bill amends existing insurance codes to ensure coverage for these supervised intern services, directly affecting insurers, interns, and patients seeking mental health care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer reimbursement for mental health intern services, expanding coverage and access to counseling/social work care under supervision.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 1389: Public Health - Female Genital Mutilation

HB 1389 updates Maryland law to explicitly include female genital mutilation (FGM) under the legal definition of "abuse" for child protection purposes. This requires healthcare workers, educators, and others to report suspected FGM cases - just like other forms of child abuse - and increases penalties for violations. The bill also allows victims to file civil lawsuits and mandates the Maryland Department of Health to create educational materials about FGM. These changes directly affect mandated reporters, medical professionals, and individuals at risk of FGM.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates healthcare workers to report FGM as child abuse, requires health department educational materials, and protects victims through civil lawsuits - strengthening patient safety and public health protections.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 1002: Nursing Facilities - Involuntary Discharge or Transfer

HB 1002 prohibits nursing facilities from involuntarily discharging or transferring residents to temporary housing (like hotels) without confirmation from the receiving facility that it can accept the resident. It requires facilities to provide residents with clear written notices at least 10 days before a discharge or transfer, including the reason, new location, and contact information for hearings. The bill also bans facilities from discharging Medicaid-eligible residents solely because they qualify for Medicaid benefits, and mandates that post-discharge plans include specific care details. These changes aim to protect residents' rights and ensure smoother transitions during involuntary moves.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents involuntary discharges/transfers without facility confirmation and Medicaid eligibility protections, strengthening patient rights and access in healthcare services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 493: Nursing Facilities - Involuntary Discharge or Transfer

SB 493 prohibits nursing facilities in Maryland from involuntarily discharging or transferring residents except for specific reasons like the resident's welfare, health improvement, or facility closure. It requires facilities to provide residents with a clear written notice at least 10 days before any involuntary discharge or transfer, detailing the reason, new location, and contact information for hearings and legal assistance. The bill also bans sending residents to temporary housing (like hotels) without confirmation from the receiving facility and prevents facilities from discharging Medicaid-eligible residents solely because they qualify for Medicaid. These changes aim to protect vulnerable residents by ensuring proper notice, preventing unfair treatment, and requiring confirmation before transfers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits involuntary discharges without 10-day notice and legal assistance access, directly protecting patient rights in nursing facilities, a core healthcare service.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 838: State Board of Pharmacy - Prescriber-Pharmacist Agreements

HB 838 repeals a requirement that prescribers submit prescriber-pharmacist agreements to their regulating health board. Instead, it allows pharmacists (with specific qualifications, registrations, and training) to directly enter agreements authorizing them to treat opioid use disorder using controlled substances. A key provision requires pharmacists to check the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) for relevant patient data before starting or changing such therapy. This bill directly affects pharmacists, prescribers, and patients with opioid use disorder by expanding pharmacists' role in medication management under defined safeguards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables pharmacists to directly treat opioid use disorder with PDMP checks, expanding access to medication-assisted treatment and improving patient access to critical healthcare services.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 562: State Board of Pharmacy - Prescriber-Pharmacist Agreements - Treatment of Opioid Use Disorders

SB 562 allows pharmacists in Maryland to treat opioid use disorders using medication therapy under specific conditions. It repeals a requirement that prescribers (like doctors) must submit agreements to their health board and instead authorizes pharmacists to enter into prescriber-pharmacist agreements if they meet qualifications such as holding a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, completing required training, and registering with federal agencies. The law mandates that any treatment protocol requires pharmacists to check the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program before starting or changing medication. This change aims to expand access to medication-based treatment for opioid use disorders by enabling pharmacists to provide care in pharmacy settings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands pharmacist authority to treat opioid use disorders, improving patient access to medication therapy without prescriber agreement barriers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 273: Health Insurance – Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Enrollment – Effective Dates

This bill modifies when health coverage starts for small business employees enrolling during special periods (like marriage, divorce, birth, or court orders). It allows SHOP Exchanges to let employees choose whether coverage begins the next month or the month after, based on when they submit their plan selection (first half of month = next month start; second half = two months later). This directly affects Maryland small businesses using SHOP Exchange plans and their employees who qualify for these special enrollment events. The change applies specifically to enrollments triggered by court orders, death, or divorce/separation. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows flexible coverage start dates for SHOP employees during qualifying life events, improving access to health insurance without enrollment delays.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 14: Health Insurance - Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Enrollment - Effective Dates

SB 14 adjusts when health coverage becomes effective for small businesses using Maryland's SHOP Exchange during specific special enrollment periods. It allows SHOP Exchanges to set coverage start dates based on when plan selections are received: the first day of the following month if received by the 15th, or the second month if received after the 15th. This applies to enrollments triggered by court-ordered dependents (like child support), death of an employee or dependent, or divorce/legal separation. The bill directly affects small employers and their employees/dependents who qualify for these special enrollment scenarios under Maryland's SHOP program. It takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdjusts enrollment timing to allow faster coverage start for small businesses during special enrollment periods, improving access to health insurance.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 139: Insurance - Third Party Administrators - Enforcement

SB 139 amends Maryland law to strengthen oversight of third-party administrators (TPAs) who manage insurance claims for employers or insurers. It expands grounds for the Insurance Commissioner to deny, suspend, or revoke a TPA’s registration (including violations of insurance laws or regulations) and updates civil penalty rules. The bill sets a maximum $10,000 penalty per violation for TPA misconduct, with daily penalties up to $1,000 for ongoing violations. Penalties are determined based on factors like violation severity, the TPA’s history, and harm to policyholders, ensuring enforcement considers context and impact.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStrengthens oversight of insurance claim managers to prevent misconduct, protecting patient access to coverage under insurance laws.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare