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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passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 551: Health Insurance - Ovarian Cancer Prevention With Salpingectomy - Required Coverage and Prohibited Cost Sharing

This bill requires health insurers and health plans in Maryland to cover salpingectomy (surgery to remove fallopian tubes) specifically for ovarian cancer prevention as a standard benefit, with no out-of-pocket costs like copays or deductibles for patients. It applies to all health insurance policies issued in Maryland after January 1, 2027, directly affecting women who might choose this preventive surgery and the insurers providing coverage. The key provision bans cost-sharing for this procedure, except when an individual is enrolled in a high-deductible health plan meeting federal criteria. This ensures access to a proven preventive measure without financial barriers for most patients.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates full insurance coverage for ovarian cancer prevention surgery, eliminating patient cost-sharing and expanding access to preventive care.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 504: Data Privacy - Consumer Data, Public Records, and Message Switching System (Data Privacy Act)

SB 504 prohibits businesses from selling consumer personal data to buyers who intend to use it for immigration enforcement. It defines "sensitive data" to include immigration status, racial origin, health information, and sexual orientation, requiring businesses to handle such data more carefully. The bill also mandates public record custodians to prevent unauthorized disclosure - especially for immigration enforcement - and requires message switching systems to implement access controls. These changes aim to strengthen privacy protections for Maryland residents while modifying existing data privacy laws in the state code.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly classifies health information as 'sensitive data' requiring careful handling, protecting patient privacy through data safeguards without restricting healthcare access or funding.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits selling immigration status data to enforcement agencies, limiting federal cooperation and protecting immigrant privacy per bill's data handling requirements.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits selling sensitive consumer data for immigration enforcement, defines sensitive data categories, mandates stricter handling and access controls - directly strengthens data privacy protections in technology policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 866: Public Health - Chain Restaurants - Disclosure and Notice to Customers of Sodium and Added Sugars

SB 866 requires chain restaurants with 20 or more locations in Maryland to display warning icons next to menu items exceeding 1,150mg sodium or 25mg added sugars per serving, starting January 1, 2028. The Maryland Department of Health must create these icons and guidelines by January 1, 2027, and run a public education campaign during 2027 to explain compliance. The bill directly affects large chain restaurants by mandating clear labeling of high-sodium and high-sugar menu items. It defines "high sodium" as 1,150mg per serving and "high added sugars" as 25mg per serving for labeling purposes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates clear labeling of high-sodium/high-sugar menu items to promote informed dietary choices and prevent diet-related health issues, aligning with public health initiatives.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 222: County Boards of Education - Opioid Overdose-Reversing Medications - Policy Requirements (Naloxone Access Act)

HB 222 requires Maryland public schools and colleges to update policies and education programs to address opioid overdoses. It mandates schools to store naloxone, allow authorized staff and students to possess it, and provide liability protection for good-faith use during overdoses. The bill also adds naloxone's life-saving role to K-12 drug prevention curricula (starting in third grade) and requires annual parent notifications about school naloxone policies. Additionally, schools must report overdose incidents requiring naloxone use to the State Department. This affects all public K-12 schools and state-funded colleges.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates inclusion of naloxone education in K-12 curricula (starting 3rd grade) and updates school policies, enhancing health education programs within educational framework.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates naloxone access in schools for opioid overdose response, enhancing public health access and life-saving measures95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 348: Hospitals and Freestanding Birthing Centers - High-Risk Pregnancies - Communication After Discharge

SB 348 requires hospitals and freestanding birthing centers in Maryland to provide specific postpartum support to individuals who have experienced high-risk pregnancies. It mandates that facilities complete referral forms for local health departments, provide resources about postpartum complications (including cardiovascular conditions, chronic disease, substance misuse, and mental health), and call birthing parents 24 to 72 hours after discharge to assess their status. The bill also requires annual reports from health departments detailing referrals made through this process. These provisions apply to all facilities delivering newborns following high-risk pregnancies and take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates postpartum support, mental health resources, and follow-up calls for high-risk pregnancies - expands patient access and protection in healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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