Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 778: Clinical Research Pharmacies and Clinical Trials - Permits and Ownership

SB 778 creates a new "clinical research pharmacy permit" required for pharmacies conducting clinical trials in Maryland. It allows healthcare providers to own such pharmacies under specific conditions, including requiring a licensed pharmacist to be on-site at all times and prohibiting owners from receiving payment for patient referrals. The bill also exempts clinical trials conducted by corporations from being classified as "practice of medicine," removing a licensing barrier for these activities. This directly affects pharmacies seeking to operate clinical trials, healthcare providers considering ownership, and the State Board of Pharmacy (as the permit issuer).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves licensing barrier for clinical trials by exempting corporate trials from 'practice of medicine' classification, enabling research pharmacies to operate and advance medical innovation and patient access to trials.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

signed · Maryland · Senate May 31, 2026

SB 496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - Authorization

SB 496 would authorize Maryland's Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid) to cover comprehensive obesity treatment starting January 1, 2027. This includes intensive behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved weight management medications for eligible Medicaid recipients. The bill requires the Department of Health to notify program recipients if it chooses to implement this coverage and mandates a report to legislative committees by November 2027 on whether coverage has begun. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, but coverage for obesity treatment becomes available the following year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands Medicaid coverage requiring state budget allocation for essential healthcare services, aligning with funding public programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage for obesity treatment including behavioral therapy and surgery, improving patient access to comprehensive care under healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2026

HB 1515: Labor and Employment - Noncompete and Conflict of Interest Clauses - Employer Relocation

HB 1515 prohibits noncompete and conflict of interest clauses in employment contracts for certain healthcare workers if their employer relocates most operations outside Maryland after the employee leaves. It specifically applies to: - Employees earning ≤ $350,000 annually in licensed, direct patient care roles (or veterinary professionals), - *or* employees of employers who previously had >30 in-state employees but later move most operations out of state. For higher-earning healthcare workers ($350,000+), the bill limits noncompete terms to 1 year and a 10-mile geographic radius. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and does not apply to client/patient list restrictions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits noncompete clauses for healthcare workers during employer relocation, protecting workforce stability and improving patient access in Maryland. Directly supports medical professionals and healthcare delivery.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits noncompete clauses for healthcare workers affected by employer relocation, protecting job mobility and workers' rights in employment contracts.95% confidence

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1118: Health, Health Insurance, and Health Occupations - Perinatal Behavioral Health Conditions

HB 1118 requires health insurance carriers in Maryland to provide a standing referral to a mental health care provider for pregnant individuals and for one year after childbirth, without needing a written treatment plan. It mandates that insurers cover screening for perinatal mental health conditions (like postpartum depression) during prenatal visits and other specified times. The bill also directs the Maryland Department of Health to establish a perinatal mental health screening program and requires health care professionals renewing licenses to complete continuing education on perinatal mental health conditions. These changes aim to improve access to mental health support during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer coverage of perinatal mental health screenings and standing referrals without barriers, expanding access to critical mental health services for pregnant/postpartum individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Public Health

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

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 890: Insurance - Captive Insurers - Premium Receipts Tax Study

SB 890 exempts premiums for captive insurance purchased by nonprofit hospitals and healthcare systems in Maryland from the state's insurance premium receipts tax. Specifically, it removes the tax obligation for premiums paid by these entities, including their parent companies, subsidiaries, or affiliated providers. The bill also prohibits the Maryland Insurance Administration from charging past-due taxes, penalties, or interest related to this tax for qualifying entities before the law's effective date. This directly affects nonprofit healthcare organizations seeking cost savings on self-insurance arrangements. The policy change modifies existing tax code sections to create this specific exemption.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts nonprofit hospitals' captive insurance premiums from state tax, providing tax relief for essential healthcare entities.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts nonprofit hospitals from insurance premium tax, reducing operational costs to support healthcare delivery and services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Insurance

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 758: Problem Gambling - Authorized Uses of Funds - Alterations

HB 758 amends Maryland law to update how funds for problem gambling services can be used. It adds new authorized purposes, including reimbursing peer support services for individuals receiving treatment and creating programs specifically targeting gambling issues related to sports wagering, fantasy competitions, and online betting. The bill also allows unspent funds in the Problem Gambling Fund to be used for drug and addiction treatment services after core gambling programs are funded. These changes directly affect problem gamblers, treatment providers, and the Maryland Department of Health, which manages the fund. The policy alters existing fund usage rules without creating new funding sources.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRedirects unspent gambling funds to drug/addiction treatment services, expanding healthcare funding for substance abuse care within authorized uses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 1092: Maryland Department of Health - Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatient Beds - Capacity in Prince George's County and Report

HB 1092 requires Maryland’s Department of Health to ensure at least 24 licensed adolescent psychiatric inpatient beds are operational in Prince George’s County by December 2028. The department must achieve this through expanding existing facilities, contracting with private/nonprofit operators, or creating public-private partnerships, prioritizing solutions that reduce emergency department boarding and ensure insurance-neutral access. It also mandates a competitive grant program for capital costs (like construction or safety upgrades) and annual reports to the Governor and legislature on bed capacity, staffing barriers, and recommendations for maintaining sufficient service. This bill directly affects adolescents aged 12-16 in Prince George’s County who need inpatient psychiatric care, aiming to address recent capacity reductions in the county.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates increased adolescent psychiatric bed capacity, prioritizes access/insurance neutrality, and creates grant programs to expand mental health services in healthcare infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 892: Health Occupations, Public Health, and Insurance - Menopause - Provider Training Coverage Requirements, Policy Initiatives, and Access to Care

SB 892 modifies Maryland's State Advisory Council on Health and Wellness to include a member with expertise in perimenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal care. It requires health occupations boards (like those for nurses or doctors) to grant at least two continuing education credits for every hour of training on these conditions, directly affecting healthcare professionals renewing their licenses. The bill also mandates the Maryland Health Care Commission, Commission for Women, and Department of Health to take specific actions related to these health conditions. These changes aim to improve provider knowledge and care for women experiencing these common health transitions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates continuing education credits for healthcare professionals on menopausal care, enhancing provider expertise and patient access to specialized treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Women's Health

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 18, 2026

HB 1537: Public Health - Newborn Screening Program - Metachromatic Leukodystrophy

HB 1537 requires Maryland’s newborn screening program to test for metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), a rare genetic disorder affecting nerve function. The bill adds MLD to the list of conditions screened for at birth under Maryland law, directly affecting all newborns in the state. The Maryland Department of Health must include MLD screening in its public health laboratory system and coordinate follow-up care for infants with positive results. This aligns with federal recommendations and updates the state’s mandatory newborn screening program without altering existing fee structures or procedural timelines.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds MLD screening to newborn program, expanding public health services for early detection and follow-up care, directly strengthening preventive healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track