Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 975: Health Occupations - Massage Therapy - Advertising

HB 975 prohibits licensed massage therapists, registered massage practitioners, and third parties acting on their behalf from advertising massage services that imply sexual activity, suggest prostitution services, or appear on sites known for such ads. It requires all advertising for massage therapy to include the full name and license or registration number of the specific practitioner. The bill also sets standards for permissible advertising, such as allowing business-level ads without listing individual therapists, and mandates that trade names not be deceptive. These changes directly affect massage therapy practitioners and their marketing practices in Maryland, effective October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits deceptive advertising by licensed massage therapists, requiring license transparency to protect consumers and maintain professional standards in healthcare services.92% confidence

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

HB 1306: Assisted Outpatient Treatment - Surrender or Seizure of Firearms

HB 1306 requires courts to order individuals under court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) to surrender firearms to law enforcement and prohibits firearm possession during the AOT period, if the court determines the person poses a risk of causing physical harm with a firearm. This applies specifically to people already subject to AOT orders under Maryland law, not the general public. Key provisions include mandating court risk assessments, requiring surrender to police (with receipts and storage details), allowing limited transportation of firearms under court orders, and permitting firearm return upon AOT order expiration - unless the person is otherwise barred from firearm ownership. The bill amends Maryland’s health code to integrate these firearm restrictions into existing AOT proceedings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enhances mental health treatment safety by restricting firearm access for high-risk individuals under court-ordered AOT, aligning with mental health service protection.85% confidence

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 10, 2026

HB 1167: Department of Information Technology - Workgroup on the Medicaid Management Information System Mainframe System Replacement

HB 1167 requires Maryland's Department of Health to replace its outdated Medicaid computer system with a modern, flexible system by 2028. The new system must maintain all current Medicaid functions - including processing medical/dental/pharmacy claims, provider enrollment, and beneficiary inquiries - while meeting federal security and performance standards. The bill mandates integration with existing Medicaid systems by January 2027 and full replacement of the old system by January 2028, subject to federal approval. This change directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries and healthcare providers through more reliable service delivery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpgrades Medicaid IT system to maintain coverage, ensure claim processing, and meet federal standards - directly supports healthcare service delivery and access.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires modern system meeting federal security standards, enhancing cybersecurity for Medicaid operations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 13, 2026

HB 1375: Health Insurance - Lyme Disease and Related Tick-Borne Illnesses - Long-Term Antibiotic Treatment

HB 1375 requires Maryland health insurers, nonprofit health plans, and health maintenance organizations to cover the full duration of long-term antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease and related tick-borne illnesses (like babesiosis or ehrlichiosis) when ordered by a licensed physician for therapeutic purposes. It prohibits these entities from imposing caps or time limits on such treatment or denying coverage solely because the treatment is labeled "unproven," "experimental," or "investigational." The law applies to all health insurance policies issued, delivered, or renewed in Maryland after January 1, 2027. This directly affects patients with chronic Lyme disease or related conditions who rely on extended antibiotic therapy and their insurers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers cover long-term Lyme disease treatment without caps or denial for 'unproven' labels, expanding patient access and protecting coverage rights per healthcare topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1012: Public Health - Local Suicide Fatality Review Teams - Authorization

HB 1012 authorizes counties and municipalities in Maryland to establish local suicide fatality review teams, which directly affect local governments and public health agencies. These teams must include representatives from health departments, law enforcement, schools, hospitals, and mental health professionals to review suicide cases and identify systemic factors. The bill requires teams to coordinate with the state suicide review committee and mandates confidentiality for case discussions, exempting meetings about individual cases from public disclosure laws and protecting sensitive information. It also prohibits public disclosure of identifying details about deceased individuals or those affected by suicide, ensuring privacy while allowing teams to develop prevention recommendations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes local suicide review teams including mental health professionals to identify systemic factors, directly supporting mental health service coordination and prevention efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Public Health

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1181: Family Law - Children in Out-of-Home Placement - Voluntary Placement Agreements

HB 1181 amends Maryland's Family Law to streamline voluntary placement agreements for children with developmental disabilities or mental illnesses in out-of-home care. The bill requires local departments to schedule an assessment meeting with families and providers within 5 business days of receiving a request, and issue a written eligibility decision within another 5 business days. It clarifies that local departments cannot seek legal custody solely to obtain treatment for these children, while allowing placements to exceed 180 days if a juvenile court finds continued placement is in the child's best interest. These changes aim to reduce current delays (often 60-90 days) that contribute to extended hospital stays and family distress.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines mental health access for children with disabilities by requiring timely assessments and preventing custody barriers for treatment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Long-Term Care

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HB 1423: Maryland Department of Health - Workgroup on Home- and Community-Based Services

HB 1423 requires the Maryland Department of Health to create a workgroup focused on improving home- and community-based services for older adults and people with disabilities. The workgroup, including state agency representatives and community stakeholders, will review five specific programs (like the Community First Choice Program and Home and Community-Based Options Waiver) to assess eligibility, wait times, access barriers, and provider rates. It must make recommendations to improve these services and submit a final report to the Governor and relevant legislative committees by October 1, 2027. This bill directly affects the Department of Health’s oversight of these programs and aims to address systemic issues in service delivery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates workgroup to review and improve home/community-based healthcare services, addressing access barriers and provider rates for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 13, 2026

HB 1461: Health Insurance - Coverage for Specialty Drugs - Rheumatologic Conditions

HB 1461 requires Maryland insurers, nonprofit health plans, and health maintenance organizations to cover specialty drugs for rheumatologic conditions (like rheumatoid arthritis) when administered or dispensed by in-network rheumatology providers meeting state regulations. It prohibits insurers from excluding coverage for these drugs based solely on the provider’s location (e.g., office-based vs. specialty pharmacy) and mandates fair reimbursement rates comparable to those paid to designated specialty pharmacies. The bill specifically applies to oral medications requiring complex dosing, auto-injected drugs, or those used with infusion therapies. It does not override medical necessity standards for coverage denial but aims to prevent treatment delays and ensure access to office-based care for patients with chronic rheumatologic conditions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer coverage for specialty rheumatology drugs, prohibits location-based exclusions, and ensures fair reimbursement - directly expanding access to critical treatments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 862: Gaming - Problem Gambling - Prevalence Study and Fund Revenue

SB 862 requires the Maryland Department of Health to conduct a study measuring how common problem gambling is among mobile gambling users, with an initial report due by July 1, 2031, and follow-up studies every five years. The bill also changes how gambling revenue is distributed by directing 1% of proceeds from fantasy sports competitions and 1% from sports wagering to the Problem Gambling Fund. This fund will support treatment and prevention programs for individuals with gambling disorders. The bill amends existing law to implement these requirements for mobile gambling studies and dedicated funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects 1% of gambling revenue to Problem Gambling Fund for treatment programs, increasing dedicated budget allocation for essential services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects 1% of gambling revenue to Problem Gambling Fund for treatment/prevention of gambling disorders, a mental health service.95% confidence

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 561: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Community Violence Prevention Services - Reimbursement and Provision of Services

SB 561 updates Maryland's Medical Assistance Program to require reimbursement for community violence prevention services provided in-person, regardless of where the services occur. It explicitly allows telehealth delivery (including audio-only calls) without denying coverage, and prohibits requiring service providers to maintain hospital affiliations. The bill defines "community violence" as non-family interpersonal violence in public spaces and specifies that services must be evidence-based, trauma-informed, and non-psychotherapeutic. It directly affects certified violence prevention professionals, service providers, and program recipients exposed to or injured by community violence. The policy change ensures consistent coverage for these services whether delivered in-person or via telehealth.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds evidence-based community violence prevention services, a key criminal justice reform strategy to reduce violence and recidivism through proactive community support.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires reimbursement for community violence prevention services under Medical Assistance Program, expanding coverage and access to evidence-based healthcare services without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Telehealth

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