Healthcare

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SB 264: Drinking Water - Regulation - Control and Prevention of Waterborne Disease

SB 264 establishes new requirements to prevent waterborne diseases like Legionnaires' disease in Maryland's public water systems. It mandates minimum disinfectant residual levels, regular testing for pathogens, and specific water management programs for building owners/operators. Public water suppliers must provide notices about system disruptions and maintain records, while the Maryland Department of Health must create a public awareness campaign and publish compliance data online. Violations could result in civil penalties up to $25,000 per day for larger systems, with collected fines funding health initiatives. The bill directly affects all public water systems serving 15+ connections or 25+ people, including municipal suppliers and building operators.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates water safety protocols to prevent waterborne diseases, directly strengthening public health protection through regulatory requirements and awareness campaigns.95% confidence

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signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 394: Public Health - Expedited Partner Therapy - Bacterial Vaginosis and Licensed Certified Midwives

SB 394 adds bacterial vaginosis to Maryland's list of conditions eligible for expedited partner therapy (EPT). This allows certain healthcare providers - like physicians, advanced practice nurses, and pharmaciststo prescribe antibiotics to a sexual partner of a diagnosed patient without requiring a personal examination of the partner. The law aims to prevent reinfection in the diagnosed patient and stop disease spread, expanding existing EPT rules that previously covered only chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. It applies to public and private health care settings in Maryland starting October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds bacterial vaginosis to EPT eligibility, expanding treatment access for partners without personal exams to prevent reinfection and disease spread.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 696: State Prescription Drug Benefits - Retirees

HB 696 modifies prescription drug coverage for Maryland state retirees based on their hire date. It continues drug benefits for retirees who began state service before July 1, 2011, while ending these benefits for retirees (and their Medicare-eligible spouses/children) who started on or after that date. The bill replaces three existing retiree drug programs with a new reimbursement program covering out-of-pocket costs for eligible retirees who qualify for partial subsidies. It also removes reporting requirements related to Medicare-eligible retirees’ access to services.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill ends prescription drug benefits for retirees hired on/after July 1, 2011, restricting coverage for a group while replacing programs with limited reimbursement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 20, 2026

HB 162: Department of Aging - Maryland Access Point - Dementia-Friendly Communities

HB 162 requires Maryland’s Department of Aging to provide resources, training, grants, and support to the Maryland Access Point network to establish dementia-friendly communities. It directly affects individuals living with dementia, their families, and caregivers by mandating community-based efforts to reduce stigma, improve physical accessibility (like clear signage), and promote social inclusion. Key provisions include requiring the Access Point network to create public educational materials about dementia support and ensuring communities implement specific actions - such as making environments safer, enabling participation in community life, and training local businesses and responders. The bill updates Maryland’s Aging and Disability Resource Center Program to prioritize dementia-friendly initiatives, effective October 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates community resources for dementia care access, reducing stigma and improving physical/social inclusion for patients - directly advancing healthcare access and support services.85% confidence

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 10, 2026

HB 341: Maryland Commission for Boys' and Men's Health - Establishment

HB 341 establishes the Maryland Commission for Boys’ and Men’s Health within the Maryland Department of Health. The 18-member commission, appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker, will review health data on conditions like heart disease and cancer, promote preventive care through public awareness, and develop strategies to reduce health disparities affecting boys and men. The commission must collaborate with community partners to address issues like suicide rates and limited access to screenings, while ensuring culturally responsive health approaches. It will operate without paid membership but can accept federal or private funding for its work. The bill creates a coordinating body to guide state efforts, not a new service or funding program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes commission to promote preventive care, reduce health disparities, and address mental health issues like suicide rates through data review and strategy development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 373: State Board of Dental Examiners - Disciplinary Action and Unannounced Inspections

HB 373 allows Maryland's State Board of Dental Examiners to conduct unannounced inspections of non-hospital dental offices to verify compliance with CDC infection control guidelines. It updates disciplinary rules for dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants by adding failure to follow these guidelines as grounds for license denial, suspension, or revocation. The bill also requires certified expanded function dental assistants to be properly trained and supervised, and prohibits employers from using uncertified assistants or violating specific practice standards. These changes directly affect dental professionals and their practices across Maryland.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnforces CDC infection control compliance in dental offices, strengthening patient safety standards and regulatory oversight in healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 433: Family Law - Temporary and Final Protective Orders - Duration

SB 433 extends the timeframe for temporary protective orders in Maryland from 7 to 14 days after service and requires final protective order hearings to occur within 14 days of service, rather than 7 days. It also adds new provisions allowing judges to order respondents to pay specific costs incurred due to abuse, including medical/dental care, property repairs, shelter, transportation, court fees, and attorney fees. The bill clarifies that monetary awards under these provisions do not prevent petitioners from seeking additional compensation later for unawarded expenses. This directly affects individuals seeking protection from abuse (petitioners) and those accused of abuse (respondents) in family law cases. The changes take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill extends protective order timelines and mandates cost recovery for victims (medical, legal, etc.), enhancing victim protection and accountability in domestic violence cases, a key criminal justice reform area.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly includes medical/dental care costs as recoverable expenses in protective orders, improving access to healthcare services for victims of abuse.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 134: Medicare Supplement Policies - Issuance - Requirements

SB 134 requires Maryland insurance carriers to issue Medicare supplement policies (Medigap) to specific eligible individuals without denying coverage or charging higher premiums based on health status. It directly affects: (1) people transitioning from Maryland Medicaid to Medicare Part B, (2) individuals who became Medicare-eligible before January 2020, and (3) disabled people under 65 who qualify for Medicare. Key provisions mandate that carriers must sell these policies during defined 63-day enrollment periods following Medicaid disenrollment or qualifying events, and prohibit health-based pricing or denial for plans A and D. The law also requires carriers to offer comparable or lower-benefit plans during birthday renewals starting July 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers to issue Medigap without health-based denial or premium hikes, expanding coverage access for vulnerable Medicare-eligible groups transitioning from Medicaid or with disabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 385: Public Health - Recommendations for Immunizations, Screenings, and Preventive Services - Pharmacist Administration and Required Health Insurance Coverage (The Vax Act)

SB 385 (The Vax Act) requires Maryland’s Secretary of Health to issue evidence-based recommendations for immunizations, screenings, and preventive services, aligning with guidance from major medical organizations like the CDC and U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. It expands pharmacists’ authority to administer vaccines (including those recommended by CDC or the Secretary) to patients aged 3+ after completing specific training and certification, while mandating health insurers to cover these services without cost-sharing. The bill also repeals outdated pertussis-related provisions and updates reporting requirements for pharmacists. This directly affects pharmacists, health insurers, and patients seeking preventive care, aiming to improve access to vaccinations and screenings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer coverage for preventive services and expands pharmacist vaccine administration, increasing access and coverage - clear support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Primary Care Public Health

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 30, 2026

HB 616: Health Services Cost Review Commission – Health Facilities – Jurisdiction and Rate Setting

HB 616 requires Maryland's Health Services Cost Review Commission to consider all operational costs when reviewing hospital rates, including expenses for hiring physicians or other providers without corresponding billing revenue. It updates disclosure rules, mandating hospitals publicly report their financial positions and verified costs for health services. The Commission must ensure rates reflect all facility costs to confirm reasonableness and prevent excessive charges. This directly affects hospitals and the Commission by changing how rates are evaluated under Maryland's healthcare cost-review system.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates hospitals disclose full costs and prevents excessive charges by requiring Commission to consider all operational expenses, protecting patients from unreasonable costs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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