Healthcare (Medical Licensing)

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

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Primary Care

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 874: Health Occupations - Social Workers - Scopes of Practice

SB 874 clarifies and expands the scope of practice for licensed social workers in Maryland. It revises definitions in the Health Occupations code to specify that all licensed social workers (including bachelor's and master's level) may independently provide psychosocial assessment, case management, and counseling services without supervision, as long as they follow board regulations. The bill removes previous restrictions requiring supervision for certain practice activities under bachelor's and master's licenses. It directly affects licensed social workers by enabling broader independent practice within their defined education and training categories.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands independent practice for social workers in mental health services, increasing access to counseling and case management without supervision per bill summary.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

Track

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

HB 1558: State Board of Physicians - Anesthesiologist Assistants - Licensing

HB 1558 establishes a new licensing and regulatory system for anesthesiologist assistants (AAs) in Maryland under the State Board of Physicians. The bill requires AAs to hold a license, graduate from an accredited program, pass certification exams, and work under direct physician supervision as defined by written agreements. Key provisions include setting qualifications for licensure, supervision standards (requiring physician physical proximity during critical procedures), continuing education requirements, and fee structures to cover regulatory costs. This bill directly affects AAs seeking to practice in Maryland and creates the framework for the Board to enforce these rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensing, certification, and supervision standards for anesthesiologist assistants, strengthening regulatory oversight to ensure patient safety and quality care in healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

Track

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

HB 1527: Complementary and Alternative Health Care - Practice Authorized (Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice Act)

HB 1527 authorizes complementary and alternative health care practitioners (such as acupuncturists, chiropractors, and massage therapists) to practice without state licenses, certifications, or authorizations. It removes existing licensing requirements for these fields by repealing related sections of Maryland law and establishing new regulations under a dedicated Title 22 for "Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practitioners." Practitioners must now comply with specific requirements and limitations outlined in the new Title 22 provisions instead of traditional licensing rules. This directly affects current and future practitioners in these health care specialties who would no longer need formal licenses to operate.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves licensing barriers for CAM practitioners, increasing access to alternative health services without restricting coverage or funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

Track

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

HB 448: Health Facilities - Certified Recovery Residences - Unannounced Inspections

This bill requires Maryland's Department of Health to conduct at least two unannounced annual inspections of each certified recovery residence to verify compliance with health and safety standards. Facilities found noncompliant must correct deficiencies within one month of receiving notice; failure to do so may result in certification revocation. The law amends existing health code (§ 19-2502.1) to establish this inspection schedule and remediation process. It directly affects certified recovery residences operating in Maryland under the state's credentialing system.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires unannounced health/safety inspections for recovery residences to protect patient care standards, directly supporting mental health facility oversight per bill's enforcement mechanism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Substance Abuse

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 340: School Psychologist Interstate Licensure Compact

HB 340 would allow Maryland to join the School Psychologist Interstate Licensure Compact, enabling licensed school psychologists from member states to practice in Maryland without reapplying for separate state licenses. This directly affects school psychologists seeking to work across state lines, particularly in areas facing staffing shortages. The compact establishes standardized requirements for multistate licensure and creates a commission to manage the agreement, while ensuring states maintain authority to protect public safety through their own scope-of-practice laws. The goal is to improve access to school psychological services by streamlining licensing for qualified professionals.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables cross-state practice for school psychologists to address staffing shortages in K-12 schools, supporting educational access and staffing needs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state practice for school psychologists, improving access to mental health services in schools, directly supporting mental health care access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 238: School Psychologist Interstate Licensure Compact

SB 238 establishes Maryland's participation in the School Psychologist Interstate Licensure Compact, allowing licensed school psychologists to practice across member states without duplicative licensing. The bill creates a standardized pathway for psychologists to hold "equivalent licenses" in any participating state, directly affecting school psychologists seeking cross-state work and school districts needing qualified staff. Key provisions include requiring psychologists to follow each state's scope of practice laws, preserving state authority over licensing, and specifically facilitating mobility for military families. The compact also establishes a Commission to oversee implementation and address issues like disciplinary actions. This is a substantive policy change enabling easier interstate practice while maintaining state-level professional standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables cross-state practice for school psychologists, strengthening staff availability and mental health support in K-12 schools without duplicative licensing barriers.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables cross-state practice for school psychologists, improving mental health service access in schools by removing licensing barriers, aligning with support for mental health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Mental Health

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

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 377: Physician Assistants and Midwives - Parity With Other Health Care Practitioners

HB 377 expands the scope of practice for physician assistants (PAs) in Maryland by adding them to specific healthcare roles that previously required physicians or other practitioners. The bill allows PAs to certify incapacity for treatment decisions, participate in guardianship petitions for disabled persons, and order infirmary care for pregnant inmates - previously limited to physicians or nurse practitioners. It also requires the Maryland Department of Health to cover PA examinations for emergency evaluees and adds PAs to the Statewide Advisory Commission on Immunization. These changes aim to create parity by treating PAs as equivalent to other licensed healthcare providers in key clinical and administrative processes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands PA scope to certify incapacity, guardianship, and infirmary care, increasing healthcare access without physician oversight95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing