Healthcare

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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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 563: Health Facilities - Confidentiality of Medical Records - Crisis Pregnancy Clinics

SB 563 adds crisis pregnancy clinics to Maryland’s definition of "health care provider" under confidentiality laws. This means these clinics must now follow the same medical record privacy rules as hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. The bill specifically covers clinics providing pregnancy-related care, including mobile facilities, even if they’re not subject to federal HIPAA rules. It applies directly to crisis pregnancy clinics operating in Maryland, requiring them to protect patient records like other healthcare providers. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends medical record confidentiality protections to crisis pregnancy clinics, aligning with healthcare privacy standards and protecting patient rights under confidentiality laws.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires crisis pregnancy clinics to follow medical record confidentiality laws, strengthening data privacy protections for patient health information.90% confidence

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1540: University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center - Funding - Repeal of Termination Date

HB 1540 repeals the 2028 termination date for annual state funding required for the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center. The bill ensures the state will continue appropriating $10 million each fiscal year (previously set to end in 2028) to support the center's operations and transition. This directly affects the University of Maryland Medical System Corporation and Prince George's County, which must provide matching funds totaling $208 million for capital construction. The funding is specifically designated to maintain the medical center's financial viability, improve healthcare access, and prevent operating losses. The change removes the fixed end date, making the funding permanent unless future legislation alters it.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals 2028 termination date for $10M annual state funding, ensuring continued budget allocation for medical center operations and transition.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepeals 2028 termination date for $10M annual state funding to support medical center operations and transition, directly advancing healthcare funding for a public medical institution.95% confidence

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 19, 2026

HB 808: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Step Therapy, Fail-First Protocols, and Prior Authorization - Prescription Drugs to Treat Serious Mental Illness

HB 808 prohibits Maryland's Medicaid program (Medical Assistance Program) from requiring prior authorization or step therapy/fail-first protocols for prescription drugs treating five specific serious mental health conditions: bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depression, PTSD, or medication-induced movement disorders linked to mental illness treatment. Starting July 1, 2026, the program must cover these medications without extra approval steps for adult enrollees diagnosed with these conditions. The law applies only to Medicaid-covered drugs for these diagnoses and expires on June 30, 2029. This directly affects Medicaid enrollees with these diagnoses by reducing administrative barriers to accessing prescribed mental health medications.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits prior authorization for mental health meds, ensuring direct coverage without barriers for 5 serious conditions, improving patient access to essential treatments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 1002: Nursing Facilities - Involuntary Discharge or Transfer

HB 1002 prohibits nursing facilities from involuntarily discharging or transferring residents to temporary housing (like hotels) without confirmation from the receiving facility that it can accept the resident. It requires facilities to provide residents with clear written notices at least 10 days before a discharge or transfer, including the reason, new location, and contact information for hearings. The bill also bans facilities from discharging Medicaid-eligible residents solely because they qualify for Medicaid benefits, and mandates that post-discharge plans include specific care details. These changes aim to protect residents' rights and ensure smoother transitions during involuntary moves.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents involuntary discharges/transfers without facility confirmation and Medicaid eligibility protections, strengthening patient rights and access in healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 522: Workers' Compensation - Evaluation of Permanent Impairments - Licensed Social Worker-Clinical

This bill allows licensed clinical social workers to evaluate permanent impairments related to behavioral or mental disorders in workers' compensation claims, expanding beyond current requirements that limited this role to psychologists or physicians. To qualify, social workers must meet specific training standards in mental health conditions, hold rehabilitation counselor registration, have two years of relevant experience, and be authorized providers. It directly affects workers seeking compensation for mental health-related impairments and the social workers providing these evaluations. The law amends Maryland's workers' compensation code to include these requirements, effective October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health evaluation access in workers' comp by allowing licensed social workers, improving patient access to mental health services within healthcare system.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands workers' compensation evaluation access to licensed social workers for mental health impairments, improving claim processing and benefits accessibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Workers' Compensation

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