Healthcare (Mental Health)

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 521: Health Insurance - Material Changes to Provider Networks - Notification and Special Enrollment Period

SB 521 requires health insurance companies to notify patients in writing when a primary care provider or behavioral health provider is removed from their network, including the reason for termination and the right to continue seeing that provider for up to 90 days if the removal isn't due to fraud or misconduct. It mandates insurers to provide advance notice (60 days) to Maryland's Insurance Commissioner before terminating provider contracts that materially impact patient access, and to update their access plans within 5 business days after termination. This bill directly affects insured patients who rely on specific providers and health insurance carriers operating in Maryland. The key change is creating a standardized 90-day special enrollment period for affected patients to transition care, improving transparency during network changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to notify patients of provider removal and allow 90-day continuation, improving patient access and protecting rights in health insurance networks.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Primary Care

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 9, 2026

HB 1014: Mental Health Law - Danger to the Life or Safety of the Individual or of Others - Definition (Right to Treatment)

HB 1014 defines "danger to the life or safety of the individual or of others" for Maryland's mental health law, directly affecting individuals with mental disorders who might face involuntary admission. It specifies four concrete scenarios that constitute this danger: causing bodily harm, engaging in conduct leading to criminal involvement, inability to meet basic needs (food, shelter, medical care), or substantial deterioration in judgment that impairs treatment decisions. The definition requires a "substantial risk" considering the person's current condition and available history, replacing the prior standard. This change clarifies the legal threshold for involuntary hospitalization and emergency evaluations under Maryland law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDefines clear criteria for involuntary mental health admission, preventing arbitrary detention and protecting patient rights under mental health law.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1093: Health Insurance - Provider Panels - Requirements

HB 1093 requires health insurance companies (carriers) to change how they manage provider panels. It removes application fees for providers seeking panel inclusion, mandates specific notice timelines for denials, and requires carriers to update provider directories more frequently. The bill also expands the types of providers carriers cannot restrict (like mental health specialists) and changes rules for reimbursing patients for care from nonparticipating providers. These changes directly affect health insurance companies, doctors/hospitals seeking panel access, and patients navigating provider networks.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves provider application fees, expands mental health specialist access, mandates timely denials and updated directories, improving patient access to care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 942: Assisted Outpatient Treatment - Surrender or Seizure of Firearms

SB 942 requires courts to order individuals under court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment to surrender all firearms to law enforcement if the court determines they pose a risk of causing physical harm to themselves or others with firearm access. This applies only during the duration of the treatment order and affects people subject to such court orders under Maryland's mental health law. The bill establishes procedures for surrender, storage of firearms by law enforcement, and return upon order expiration, including requiring officers to provide receipts and information on reclaiming firearms. It also allows courts to issue search warrants for unreturned firearms and use contempt powers for violations. The law modifies existing Maryland code sections governing assisted outpatient treatment to include these firearm safety measures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequiring firearm surrender during court-ordered mental health treatment enhances patient safety and supports mental health service effectiveness by reducing harm risks.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 550: Health Care Decisions Act - Surrogate Decision Making - Mental Disorders

SB 550 amends Maryland's Health Care Decisions Act to allow surrogates (like family members or appointed guardians) to authorize treatment for a person's mental disorder if that person has been certified as unable to make informed health care decisions. It repeals the previous ban preventing surrogates from making such decisions, updating the priority order for who can act as a surrogate (e.g., guardians first, then spouse, adult children, or qualified friends/relatives). Qualified friends or relatives must now provide an affidavit to the physician confirming their relationship and familiarity with the patient’s wishes. This change directly affects patients certified as incapable of making their own mental health treatment decisions and their designated surrogates.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepeals ban on surrogates authorizing mental health treatment, expanding patient access to care under Maryland's Health Care Decisions Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 549: Mental Health - Treatment Plans for Individuals in Facilities - Participation of Family Members or Other Individuals

SB 549 requires Maryland mental health facilities to inform patients about their right to include family members or other chosen individuals in treatment planning meetings. Facilities must provide a clear form and information about advance directives when patients consent, and reconfirm consent at least every seven days. The bill mandates facilities to share meeting schedules and allow authorized participants to join treatment team discussions, while limiting providers from withholding information only if they believe consent was forced. Patients can withdraw consent anytime, orally or in writing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates mental health facilities to include family in treatment planning, protect patient rights, and ensure informed consent - directly advancing patient-centered mental health care access and rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 870: Maryland Department of Health - Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatient Beds - Reports on Capacity and Outcomes

SB 870 requires the Maryland Department of Health to ensure at least 24 licensed adolescent psychiatric inpatient beds are operational in Prince George’s County by December 2028. The bill mandates the Department to expand capacity through existing facilities, private contracts, or public-private partnerships, prioritizing solutions that reduce emergency department boarding and ensure access regardless of insurance. It also creates a grant program to fund capital costs like construction, renovations, and safety upgrades for qualifying facilities. The Department must report annually to the Governor and General Assembly on bed availability, boarding metrics, staffing barriers, and recommendations for maintaining capacity.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates 24 additional adolescent psychiatric beds, ensures access regardless of insurance, and funds expansion via grants, directly supporting mental health services access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 19, 2026

HB 995: Health Occupations - Behavioral Health Care Providers - Use of Artificial Intelligence

HB 995 prohibits behavioral health care providers (like therapists and counselors) in Maryland from using artificial intelligence for direct patient care, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, or therapeutic communication. The bill allows AI for administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments or managing records, but requires providers to: comply with confidentiality laws, sign vendor agreements preventing data misuse, and obtain written patient consent about AI risks. Providers must also independently verify AI-generated clinical data before use. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to all licensed behavioral health providers in Maryland.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits AI in direct patient care for behavioral health providers to protect patient rights and confidentiality, aligning with healthcare protection indicators.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits AI use in direct patient care (diagnosis/treatment), requiring consent/data safeguards. Restricts technology application in healthcare, aligning with 'oppose' criteria.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Artificial Intelligence

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

HB 1162: Correctional Services – Medication–Assisted Treatment Funding

HB 1162 requires Maryland correctional facilities in specific counties (starting with Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s, and St. Mary’s) to provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for incarcerated individuals with opioid use disorder. It mandates facilities to conduct assessments, offer FDA-approved MAT options, and provide behavioral health counseling, with special provisions for pregnant individuals. The bill establishes funding mechanisms: the Special Secretary of Overdose Response must annually reimburse counties for MAT costs, and the Opioid Restitution Fund’s authorized uses expand to support this. This applies to local detention centers and the Baltimore Pre-trial Complex by 2023, with implementation schedules for additional counties.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates funding for MAT in correctional facilities, establishing budget allocation for essential health services within state correctional system.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates MAT in correctional facilities for opioid use disorder, advancing rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder in prisons with funding, expanding healthcare access for incarcerated individuals through FDA-approved treatment and counseling.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Victims' Rights Mental Health Substance Abuse

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

HB 800: Education - Behavioral Health and Student Well-Being and Human Flourishing (Maryland Student Well-Being and Flourishing Act)

HB 800 updates Maryland’s education law to explicitly include "student well-being and human flourishing" alongside behavioral health services. It amends sections of the education code (including 5-212, 6-122, and 7-447) to define student well-being as progress across eight dimensions: social, environmental, physical, emotional, spiritual, occupational, intellectual, and financial well-being. The bill requires school staff training to recognize issues affecting these areas and directs the Maryland Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports to advance student well-being initiatives. It directly affects Maryland public schools, staff, and students by integrating holistic well-being into existing education funding, training, and support systems.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates staff training and defines eight well-being dimensions to enhance student programs in schools, advancing student well-being as an educational priority.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school staff training to recognize emotional/mental health issues, advancing behavioral health services within education as part of student well-being framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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