Healthcare

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1603: Health Insurance - Vision Benefits - Regulation of Insurers and Vision Benefit Managers

HB 1603 establishes new regulations for vision benefit plans and discount plans in Maryland. It requires insurers and vision benefit managers to disclose specific information (like legal name, addresses, and regulatory oversight) on their websites and in communications. The bill also sets rules for contracts with eye care providers (optometrists and ophthalmologists), prohibits certain restrictive contract terms, and mandates fair reimbursement procedures. These changes directly affect insurers, vision benefit managers, and eye care providers participating in vision benefit programs. The bill repeals an existing section and adds new sections (15-2201-15-2213) to Maryland’s Insurance Article.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates transparency and fair reimbursement for vision insurance, protecting consumer access and provider rights within healthcare coverage framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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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

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 625: Human-Relevant Research Fund - Collection of Contributions - Responsible Entity

HB 625 shifts responsibility for collecting fees from research facilities to the Maryland Department of Agriculture, replacing the current system under the Department of Health. It requires facilities submitting USDA Form 7023 (for animal testing) to pay annual contributions based on animal count: $5,000 for ≤100 animals, $10,000 for 101-500, $55,000 for 501-5,000, and $75,000 for over 5,000. Funds collected will support the Human-Relevant Research Fund established under Maryland’s Economic Development Article. The bill repeals existing health code provisions and creates new agriculture code sections for this fee structure, effective October 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes mandatory annual fees ($5k-$75k) based on animal counts, directing collected funds to a specific research fund, creating new revenue and fiscal allocation.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates Human-Relevant Research Fund to support medical research alternatives, advancing healthcare innovation through funding animal testing fee shifts.85% confidence

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 278: Human Services - Department of Aging and Commission on Aging (The Longevity Ready Maryland Act)

HB 278, the "Longevity Ready Maryland Act," requires Maryland's Secretary of Aging to lead implementation of the Longevity Ready Maryland Plan. This plan aims to coordinate state services for older adults by evaluating their needs, assessing existing programs, and fostering cross-sector collaboration across health, housing, employment, and social services. The bill mandates annual reports to the governor and legislature on progress, updates the Commission on Aging's role, and requires a comprehensive statewide plan to be revised every four years. It directly affects older Marylanders, the Department of Aging, local area agencies on aging, and state agencies responsible for aging-related services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill coordinates health services for older adults through the Longevity Ready Maryland Plan, improving access and cross-sector collaboration in healthcare delivery.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Tags Seniors

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 15, 2026

HB 117: Public Schools - Airway Clearing Device Availability and Use - Policy (Bowen Levy Airway Clearing Device Act)

HB 117 requires every Maryland public school to have at least one airway clearing device (a portable suction device for choking emergencies) and mandates that county school boards establish policies allowing school nurses and trained staff to use these devices during choking incidents. The policy must specify storage locations (near eating areas) and require staff training on device use and choking emergency response. Schools must report all device uses to the State Department of Education via a standardized form, and personnel acting in good faith during emergencies are protected from personal liability. This bill directly affects public schools, county boards, and school staff by standardizing emergency response protocols for choking incidents.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates safety equipment and protocols in schools, enhancing student safety and school infrastructure, a protective measure for educational environment.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school emergency medical equipment for choking incidents, enhancing public health safety protocols in schools as a healthcare service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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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 Apr 28, 2026

SB 336: Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances - Extension and Membership

SB 336 extends the deadline for the existing Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances, established by 2024 law, to continue its work studying natural psychedelic substances like psilocybin and mescaline (excluding peyote). The task force, composed of state officials, experts, and community representatives, will study current laws, scientific data on benefits and risks, and barriers to access, then make recommendations for a state access program and legal changes. This extension allows the task force to finalize its report on creating equitable access to these substances and transitioning away from criminal penalties for nonviolent uses. The bill does not change current laws but prolongs the study period to inform future policy decisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill studies psychedelic substances for mental health treatment access, aiming to remove barriers and recommend state programs, aligning with mental health service expansion.85% confidence

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 435: Public Health - Medetomidine and Xylazine Consumer Protection Act

This bill requires retailers selling medetomidine or xylazine products (veterinary sedatives sometimes misused in illicit drugs) to verify buyers' intended veterinary, scientific, or institutional use and confirm they are 21+ years old. Retailers must maintain records of sales, including proof of age and purpose, and face civil penalties of up to $6,500 per violation. All fines collected under this law must be deposited into Maryland's Substance Abuse Fund. The law applies to all businesses selling these products, including online platforms, and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents illicit drug misuse by regulating veterinary sedative sales, directs fines to Substance Abuse Fund for public health programs, strengthening public health protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Substance Abuse

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 277: Insurance – Third Party Administrators – Enforcement

HB 277 strengthens oversight of third-party administrators (TPAs) in Maryland’s insurance industry. It expands grounds for the Insurance Commissioner to deny, suspend, or revoke a TPA’s registration - including violations of insurance laws - and increases civil penalties for violations from $1,000 per day to a maximum of $10,000 per violation. The bill also requires the Commissioner to consider factors like the seriousness of the violation, the TPA’s history, and harm to plan participants when setting penalties. This directly affects TPAs managing insurance claims and benefits, imposing stricter accountability for compliance with Maryland’s insurance regulations, effective October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStrengthens oversight of TPAs to prevent violations harming plan participants, aligning with patient protection in healthcare coverage.95% confidence

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 541: Public Schools - Restocking Menstrual Hygiene Products - Requirement

HB 541 requires all Maryland public schools to provide free menstrual hygiene products (tampons or sanitary napkins) in women’s restrooms at no cost to students. Each county board of education must install dispensers in at least two women’s restrooms at middle/high schools by October 2022 (and all by August 2025) and in at least one restroom at elementary schools by October 2022. Schools must regularly restock these dispensers to ensure availability, with the state reimbursing counties for installation and product costs through a $500,000 fiscal year 2023 appropriation. The law applies directly to public school students and county education boards, taking effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesState reimburses counties for menstrual product costs, increasing public service funding via state budget appropriation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires free menstrual products in school restrooms, enhancing student access to basic needs and well-being in educational settings.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates free menstrual products in schools, improving access to essential health services for students, aligning with public health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Student Health

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