Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 236: State Athletic Commission - Blood Testing of Contestants - Timing

HB 236 extends the required blood testing window for combat sports athletes in Maryland from 30 days to 90 days. It affects boxers, kickboxers, wrestlers, and mixed martial arts competitors seeking licenses or participating in contests. The bill mandates that applicants and licensed contestants must provide documented evidence of negative tests for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C within 90 days prior to license application or competition. This change modifies existing Maryland law (Sections 4-101 and 4-304.1 of the Business Regulation Article) to align testing timing with the State Athletic Commission's requirements. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates blood testing for infectious diseases to protect athlete health, strengthening public health safety protocols in sports medicine.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 88: State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Music Therapists - Authority to Issue Limited Licenses to Practice Music Therapy

SB 88 creates a limited license for music therapists in Maryland who are completing full licensure requirements. It allows the State Board of Examiners to issue these licenses to applicants who meet education standards (including American Music Therapy Association certification), pay fees, and practice under supervision of a fully licensed music therapist. The limited license is valid for one year, renewable once, but expires if full licensure isn't obtained within two years. This does not replace existing services by audiologists or speech-language pathologists, and the practice of music therapy is defined as using music-based interventions within a therapeutic relationship. The bill directly affects aspiring music therapists seeking licensure and the State Board of Examiners.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables provisional licensing for music therapists, expanding access to mental health services through regulated practice pathways while ensuring professional standards.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 7: State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Music Therapists - Authority to Issue Limited Licenses to Practice Music Therapy

HB 7 authorizes Maryland's State Board of Examiners to issue limited licenses for music therapists who are completing full licensing requirements but lack sufficient clinical experience. This directly affects new music therapists and healthcare facilities needing to hire them under supervision while they fulfill certification steps. The bill creates a 1-year limited license (renewable once) requiring direct supervision by a fully licensed music therapist, with a 2-year deadline to obtain full licensure. It explicitly states limited licenses cannot replace services from audiologists or speech-language pathologists. The policy change streamlines entry into the profession without altering existing practice standards for music therapy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes limited licenses for music therapists, enabling healthcare facilities to hire under supervision while completing requirements, improving access to mental health services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 272: Health Insurance - Scalp Cooling Systems - Required Coverage

SB 272 requires health insurance plans that cover chemotherapy for cancer treatment to also cover scalp cooling systems. These systems are devices designed to prevent or reduce hair loss during chemotherapy by cooling the scalp. The law applies to insurers, nonprofit health service plans, health maintenance organizations, and managed care organizations offering such coverage in Maryland. It takes effect for all policies issued, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for scalp cooling during chemo, expanding patient access to quality-of-life treatment beyond standard chemotherapy coverage.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 385: Public Health - Recommendations for Immunizations, Screenings, and Preventive Services - Pharmacist Administration and Required Health Insurance Coverage (The Vax Act)

SB 385 (The Vax Act) requires Maryland’s Secretary of Health to issue evidence-based recommendations for immunizations, screenings, and preventive services, aligning with guidance from major medical organizations like the CDC and U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. It expands pharmacists’ authority to administer vaccines (including those recommended by CDC or the Secretary) to patients aged 3+ after completing specific training and certification, while mandating health insurers to cover these services without cost-sharing. The bill also repeals outdated pertussis-related provisions and updates reporting requirements for pharmacists. This directly affects pharmacists, health insurers, and patients seeking preventive care, aiming to improve access to vaccinations and screenings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer coverage for preventive services and expands pharmacist vaccine administration, increasing access and coverage - clear support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 333: Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact

SB 333 creates the Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact, allowing podiatrists (foot and ankle specialists) licensed in Maryland to practice in other participating states more easily. The bill establishes a streamlined process for obtaining an "expedited license" in multiple states without altering existing state licensing laws, requiring podiatrists to pass national exams and pass background checks. Crucially, it mandates that podiatrists follow the rules of the state where the patient is located during treatment, not where the provider is licensed. This compact directly affects licensed podiatrists seeking multi-state practice and state licensing boards overseeing medical practice.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines podiatrist licensure across states, improving access to specialized foot/ankle care without altering state laws.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 293: Professional Liability Insurance Coverage - Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Nurse Midwives, and Licensed Certified Midwives - Disclosure (Nyeli Rose Lewis Act of 2026)

SB 293 requires nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and nurse midwives to notify residents and prospective residents in writing if they lack professional liability insurance or if coverage has lapsed without renewal. For prospective residents, notification must occur at the first visit during a coverage gap or at the time of application; current residents must be notified within 30 days of a lapse. Facilities without coverage must also post a conspicuous notice visible to residents and guests. This law aims to increase transparency about insurance coverage for individuals receiving care in these settings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires disclosure of insurance gaps to protect residents' rights and safety in healthcare facilities, aligning with patient protection indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 637: Public Health - Recommendations for Immunizations, Screenings, and Preventive Services - Pharmacist Administration and Required Health Insurance Coverage (The Vax Act)

HB 637 ("The Vax Act") requires Maryland's Secretary of Health to issue science-based recommendations for immunizations, screenings, and preventive services using guidance from major medical organizations like the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics. It expands pharmacists' authority to administer flu, COVID-19, and emergency vaccines to patients aged 3 and older (previously limited to 18+ for some vaccines) after completing specific training. The bill also mandates that health insurance plans cover these recommended services without cost-sharing for patients. This directly affects pharmacists, health insurers, and Maryland residents seeking preventive care, particularly children and adults needing routine vaccinations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands pharmacist vaccine administration to ages 3+, mandates insurance coverage for preventive services, and requires science-based public health recommendations, improving access and strengthening preventive healthcare.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 444: Certificate of Need - Intermediate Health Care Facilities

SB 444 repeals an exemption that previously allowed intermediate care facilities offering substance use disorder treatment to change bed capacity without a certificate of need. It creates a new exemption for facilities providing *medically managed residential substance use disorder treatment services*, removing the requirement for a certificate of need if they submit 45 days' written notice to the Commission and the Commission determines the change aligns with the state health plan, improves service efficiency, and serves the public interest. This bill directly affects intermediate care facilities focused on substance use disorder treatment by reducing regulatory barriers for expanding bed capacity or establishing new facilities. The key mechanism is replacing a certificate of need with a streamlined notice-and-review process administered by the Commission. (SB 444, "Certificate of Need - Intermediate Health Care Facilities," 2026)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves CON requirement for substance use disorder treatment facilities, improving access to mental health services by streamlining expansion processes.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 790: Public Health Reform Act

SB 790, the Public Health Reform Act, requires the Maryland Department of Health to organize the Maryland Medical Reserve Corps - a statewide volunteer network for emergencies like disease outbreaks or disasters. It allows county health directors to hire staff without state approval if positions are fully funded locally and to enter contracts if the state fails to respond within a set timeframe. The bill creates the Public Health Workforce Development Fund (using interest earnings and transfers from another fund) to support workforce training, and mandates health equity impact assessments for new legislation. These changes directly affect county health departments, state health agencies, and public health emergency response systems.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Medical Reserve Corps for emergencies, grants county hiring flexibility for local health staff, and establishes Public Health Workforce Development Fund to strengthen public health infrastructure and response capacity.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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