Healthcare (Medical Licensing)

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 470: State Board of Physicians - Naturopathic Doctors - Scope of Practice, Renewals, and Professional Liability Insurance

SB 470 modifies regulations for naturopathic doctors in Maryland. It expands their scope of practice to allow prescribing certain controlled dangerous substances (previously restricted), renames the Naturopathic Doctors Formulary Council to focus specifically on controlled substances, and requires naturopathic doctors to report professional liability insurance details to the State Board of Physicians. The bill also updates license renewal requirements, adds new patient notification rules about insurance, and changes disciplinary grounds. These changes directly affect licensed naturopathic doctors practicing in Maryland under the State Board of Physicians.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands naturopathic doctors' prescribing authority for controlled substances, increasing patient access to alternative healthcare services within regulated scope.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 18, 2026

HB 599: Health - Licensure of Hospitals - Ownership Requirements

HB 599 requires hospitals seeking a new license or undergoing ownership changes after October 1, 2026, to be federally recognized nonprofit organizations registered with the state. Specifically, it mandates that hospitals qualifying for licensure on or after that date must operate as nonprofits under federal law and maintain that status as a condition of their license. The bill also prohibits transferring ownership of any licensed hospital after October 1, 2026, to any entity other than another nonprofit organization. This directly affects hospitals seeking new licenses, renewing licenses, or changing ownership in Maryland after the effective date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates nonprofit hospital ownership to prioritize community care over profit, aligning with protecting patient access and preventing profit-driven service cuts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medical Licensing

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 684: Health Insurance - Material Changes to Provider Networks - Notification and Special Enrollment Period

HB 684 requires health insurance companies to notify members 60 days in advance if a provider (including primary care or behavioral health providers) is removed from their network, unless termination relates to fraud, abuse, or licensure issues. It mandates that members affected by such changes receive a 90-day special enrollment period to continue seeing those providers, along with clear contact information for filing complaints. Insurance companies must also notify the Maryland Insurance Commissioner about network changes at least 60 days before termination and update their access plans within 5 business days of the change. This bill directly affects health insurance members who lose provider access and requires insurers to follow specific transparency and transition procedures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to notify members 60 days before provider removal and provides 90-day special enrollment period, protecting patient access to care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medical Licensing Mental Health

passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 489: Health Occupations - Physicians Trained in Foreign Countries - Exemption From Educational Requirements and Limited License

SB 489 modifies Maryland's licensing rules for physicians trained at international medical schools. It exempts applicants who provide evidence of completing two years of postgraduate training accredited by ACGME-I or another board-recognized body from standard educational requirements. These physicians would be permitted to practice medicine only during their initial license term under mandatory supervision, as specified by the Board. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, directly affecting international medical graduates meeting these specific training criteria.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts international medical graduates from standard licensing requirements, enabling supervised practice to expand physician access and address healthcare workforce shortages.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 88: State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Music Therapists - Authority to Issue Limited Licenses to Practice Music Therapy

SB 88 creates a limited license for music therapists in Maryland who are completing full licensure requirements. It allows the State Board of Examiners to issue these licenses to applicants who meet education standards (including American Music Therapy Association certification), pay fees, and practice under supervision of a fully licensed music therapist. The limited license is valid for one year, renewable once, but expires if full licensure isn't obtained within two years. This does not replace existing services by audiologists or speech-language pathologists, and the practice of music therapy is defined as using music-based interventions within a therapeutic relationship. The bill directly affects aspiring music therapists seeking licensure and the State Board of Examiners.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables provisional licensing for music therapists, expanding access to mental health services through regulated practice pathways while ensuring professional standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 380: Physicians - Licensing - Internationally Trained Physicians

SB 380 creates a temporary license for internationally trained physicians to practice medicine in Maryland under specific conditions. It allows physicians licensed outside the U.S., Canada, or Puerto Rico to obtain a license if they meet strict requirements, including a WHO-recognized medical degree, 2+ years of equivalent residency training, 5 years of practice in their home country, passing U.S. medical exams (USMLE), and English language proficiency. The license is valid for up to 3 years, cannot be renewed, and expires October 1, 2028. This pathway does not grant full licensure, and physicians must meet all 12 criteria listed in Section (B) to qualify.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables internationally trained physicians to practice, expanding healthcare workforce and improving patient access to medical services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 598: Physicians - Licensing - Internationally Trained Physicians and Licensed Physicians Residing in Other Jurisdictions

HB 598 creates a temporary license for internationally trained physicians to practice medicine in Maryland under specific conditions. It allows the State Board of Physicians to issue a 3-year license (non-renewable) to doctors who hold a WHO-recognized medical degree outside the U.S., completed 2 years of equivalent postgraduate training, practiced medicine for 5 of the last 7 years abroad, passed U.S. medical exams (USMLE Steps 1-3), and meet other criteria like English proficiency and Maryland residency. The license requires physicians to pursue full licensure through board-established pathways after the temporary period ends. This directly affects internationally trained doctors seeking to work in Maryland’s healthcare system, providing a structured but limited pathway to practice.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates temporary licensing pathway for internationally trained physicians, expanding provider access and addressing healthcare workforce shortages in Maryland.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill enables internationally trained physicians (often immigrants) to practice medicine in Maryland, facilitating professional integration and providing healthcare services to immigrant communities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 42: Health Occupations - State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners - Revisions

HB 42 revises Maryland's licensing requirements for massage therapists, transitioning from a "registered" status to mandatory licensure. It requires new applicants (starting October 1, 2024) to complete 750 contact hours of approved education (up from 600 hours for current registrants), meet updated accreditation standards, and pass a board-approved exam. Existing registered massage therapists may continue practicing until October 31, 2026, after which they must obtain a license. The bill also removes outdated administrative penalty hearing requirements and updates rules for out-of-state practitioners seeking reciprocity.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRevises licensing standards to improve professional qualifications in massage therapy, a healthcare service, aligning with quality and safety protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 326: Physician Assistants and Midwives - Parity With Other Health Care Practitioners (Physician Assistant Parity Act of 2026)

SB 326 expands the authority of physician assistants (PAs) in Maryland by allowing them to perform specific healthcare actions currently restricted to physicians. The bill directly affects PAs, patients requiring guardianship, inmates needing infirmary care, and mental health facilities by adding PAs to certification requirements for treatment incapacity (Section 5-606), guardianship petitions (Section 13-705), and inmate infirmary admissions (Section 9-601.1). It also requires the Maryland Department of Health to cover PA examinations for emergency evaluations and adds PAs to the Statewide Advisory Commission on Immunization. These changes aim to align PA practice with other licensed healthcare professionals in defined clinical scenarios.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands PA authority to perform physician-restricted tasks, improving patient access in mental health and guardianship settings per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Mental Health