HB 1414 requires Maryland nursing homes to spend at least 75% of their nursing and residential care revenue on direct care staff wages and benefits, including nurses, dietary workers, and therapists. It also mandates that nursing homes submit detailed annual cost reports by September 1 (starting in 2027) to the Maryland Department of Health, including proof of wage payments and other required data. Failure to comply could lead to enforcement actions such as corrective plans or suspension from the Maryland Medicaid program. The bill directly affects all nursing homes operating in Maryland and takes effect October 1, 2026.
This bill prohibits insurers, nonprofit health plans, and health maintenance organizations from denying emergency room coverage solely because a patient did not experience a diagnosed emergency medical condition. It requires two key studies: one to quantify hospital and post-acute care bed capacity across Maryland, and another to identify ways to improve transitions from emergency to post-acute care settings. These provisions directly affect patients receiving emergency care and healthcare providers treating them, ensuring coverage isn't denied based on diagnosis alone. The studies aim to inform data-driven recommendations for future policy improvements in emergency and post-acute care access.
HB 837 requires all Maryland public and nonpublic schools with athletic programs to include a cardiovascular prescreening as part of the standard physical examination for students participating in interscholastic sports, starting in the 2026-2027 school year. This prescreening - based on family history, personal symptoms, and evidence-based guidelines - must be conducted no earlier than 90 days before the school year begins. If a positive finding occurs, healthcare providers must refer students to a cardiologist for further evaluation. Schools must report annual data on screenings and referrals to county health departments, with the Maryland Department of Health publishing public reports analyzing outcomes. The bill directly affects student athletes, schools, and healthcare providers conducting sports physicals.
SB 493 prohibits nursing facilities in Maryland from involuntarily discharging or transferring residents except for specific reasons like the resident's welfare, health improvement, or facility closure. It requires facilities to provide residents with a clear written notice at least 10 days before any involuntary discharge or transfer, detailing the reason, new location, and contact information for hearings and legal assistance. The bill also bans sending residents to temporary housing (like hotels) without confirmation from the receiving facility and prevents facilities from discharging Medicaid-eligible residents solely because they qualify for Medicaid. These changes aim to protect vulnerable residents by ensuring proper notice, preventing unfair treatment, and requiring confirmation before transfers.
HB 1109 creates the Maryland Medical Reserve Corps, a statewide volunteer network for emergencies like disease outbreaks or disasters, managed by the Maryland Department of Health. It requires the Department to notify county health officers about procurement opportunities for electronic health records systems, allowing counties to join without state approval if fully funded locally. The bill establishes a Public Health Workforce Development Fund (using interest earnings and transfers from another fund) and mandates the Department of Legislative Services to assess health equity impacts of new legislation. These changes directly affect county health departments, the Department of Health, and public health workforce planning.
HB 1107 (Healing Our Scars Act) requires Maryland Medicaid and specific health insurers (including nonprofit health plans, HMOs, and managed care organizations) to cover aesthetic services and restorative care for scars resulting from domestic violence injuries, starting January 1, 2027. This applies only to services deemed medically necessary by a licensed physician to treat physical injuries caused by domestic violence, as defined under Maryland Family Law. The law mandates this coverage for all policies issued or renewed in Maryland on or after the effective date. It does not expand eligibility for Medicaid but adds a specific coverage requirement for victims of domestic violence.
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.
HB 1323 requires hospitals in Maryland to establish a "surrogate committee" to make treatment decisions for patients who cannot make their own health care choices and have no available legal surrogate or advance directive. The committee must include a physician (not treating the patient), a nurse, a social worker or clergy member, a patient advisory committee member, an independent patient advocate, and community members with lived experience. Committees must complete mandatory training on bioethics, confidentiality, and implicit bias, and hospitals must report annual usage data to state health officials. This law directly affects unrepresented hospitalized patients who lack decision-making capacity and clear treatment preferences.
HB 1450 requires health insurance carriers in Maryland to coordinate payments when multiple insurers cover a single claim. Specifically, carriers must identify primary and secondary payors, calculate each payor’s share, and ensure combined payments do not exceed 100% of the claim amount. The bill also limits how long carriers can retroactively deny reimbursement: up to 9 months for other insurers, 18 months for Medicaid or Medicare, and 6 months in other cases, with written explanations required for denials. This directly affects health insurance companies and health care providers who receive payments, aiming to streamline billing and prevent overpayment disputes.
HB 1131 (Pregnancy Outcome Protection Act) prohibits law enforcement and agencies from investigating, prosecuting, or imposing civil liability on individuals who experienced pregnancy loss (including miscarriage, stillbirth, or self-managed abortion), except when independent evidence of unrelated criminal conduct exists or the individual consents. It protects healthcare providers from liability for supporting patients during or after pregnancy loss and restricts disclosure of medical records related to pregnancy loss without evidence of abuse, unrelated criminal conduct, or patient consent. The bill creates a private right to sue for violations and establishes misdemeanor penalties for knowingly violating its provisions. These changes apply to all Maryland residents and healthcare providers within the state’s health system.
