Healthcare

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 32: Local Law Enforcement Vehicles - Requirements - Automated External Defibrillators

HB 32 requires all local law enforcement vehicles in Maryland to carry an automated external defibrillator (AED), a medical device that automatically analyzes heart rhythms and delivers shocks if needed. Local law enforcement agencies must also maintain the AEDs' functionality to ensure they work when required. The bill applies to all local police departments and agencies operating vehicles used for law enforcement. It takes effect October 1, 2026, mandating this equipment without specifying additional funding or enforcement details.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires law enforcement vehicles to carry AEDs, improving immediate emergency cardiac care access and aligning with public health safety measures.85% confidence

Track

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 628: Human Services - Foster Care Transition Grant Program - Establishment

HB 628 establishes a program providing $1,000 monthly payments for three years to young adults who were in out-of-home care (like foster care) on their 18th birthday, with birthdays on or after October 1, 2026. Payments cannot be counted as income for Medicaid, the Maryland Earned Income Tax Credit, or state/federal financial aid for education. The Department of Human Services must report annually on participants' income, location, employment, and housing status starting October 2027. The program will run from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2031, with automatic termination after that date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes state-funded program ($1,000/month for 3 years) for foster youth, increasing government spending on social services. Payments excluded from income for tax credits, supporting fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents basic income from affecting Medicaid eligibility, maintaining healthcare coverage access for foster youth transitioning to adulthood.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Long-Term Care Medicaid

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 273: Health Insurance – Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Enrollment – Effective Dates

This bill modifies when health coverage starts for small business employees enrolling during special periods (like marriage, divorce, birth, or court orders). It allows SHOP Exchanges to let employees choose whether coverage begins the next month or the month after, based on when they submit their plan selection (first half of month = next month start; second half = two months later). This directly affects Maryland small businesses using SHOP Exchange plans and their employees who qualify for these special enrollment events. The change applies specifically to enrollments triggered by court orders, death, or divorce/separation. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows flexible coverage start dates for SHOP employees during qualifying life events, improving access to health insurance without enrollment delays.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Tags Small Business

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 432: Attorney General Actions and Climate Crimes Accountability Fund (Climate Crimes Accountability Act)

SB 432 authorizes Maryland's Attorney General to sue fossil fuel companies with over $1 billion in market capitalization for climate-related harms caused by fraudulent or deceptive practices. It establishes the Climate Crimes Accountability Fund to collect settlement money from such lawsuits. The fund finances programs addressing climate impacts like flooding, heat islands, drought, and disease spread (e.g., vectorborne pathogens), while also covering legal costs of the Attorney General's cases. The bill directly affects major energy corporations and directs state resources toward climate adaptation and mitigation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes Climate Crimes Accountability Fund from fossil fuel settlements to finance climate programs addressing public health and infrastructure, directly funding essential government services.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergySues fossil fuel companies for climate harms, redirecting settlement funds to climate impact programs like flood mitigation and disease control, reducing fossil fuel influence.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentSues fossil fuel companies for climate harms, funds programs addressing flooding, heat islands, drought, and disease spread from climate impacts.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds climate impact programs addressing disease spread (vectorborne pathogens), a public health issue. This directly supports public health programs under healthcare topic.85% confidence

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 422: Public Health - Expedited Partner Therapy - Bacterial Vaginosis and Licensed Certified Midwives

HB 422 expands Maryland's expedited partner therapy (EPT) program to include bacterial vaginosis (BV), allowing certain healthcare providers to prescribe antibiotics to a partner of a diagnosed patient without requiring a physical exam of the partner. The bill specifically adds BV to the list of conditions (alongside chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis) where physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and designated health department nurses can provide treatment to partners. This applies to patients diagnosed with BV, aiming to reduce reinfection and slow disease spread without requiring partners to visit a clinic. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands EPT access for BV partners, improving treatment access without requiring physical exams for partners, aligning with patient access indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Primary Care Public Health

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 428: Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Health Insurance - Collaborative Care Model - Cost Sharing Prohibition

SB 428 prohibits the Maryland Department of Health and certain insurers from charging copays, coinsurance, or deductibles for services delivered under the Collaborative Care Model. This model integrates mental/behavioral health services with primary care in clinics serving Medicaid recipients (Maryland Medical Assistance Program). The law applies to all health insurance plans (including nonprofit plans and health maintenance organizations) covering these services, with one exception: high-deductible health plans may still require deductibles for these services. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, for new insurance policies and July 1, 2026, for the law itself.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits cost-sharing for integrated mental/behavioral health services under Medicaid, improving patient access and reducing financial barriers for covered services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Mental Health

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

HB 197: Comprehensive Community Safety Funding Act

HB 197 creates a new excise tax on firearms, accessories, and ammunition sales by dealers in Maryland. The tax applies to all retail sales within the state, with revenue distributed to five specific community safety programs: 26% to violence prevention, 26% to trauma care, 20% to community support, 20% to survivor services, and 8% to the University of Maryland Medical System. The bill directs funds to supplement existing programs rather than replace them. This tax targets firearms dealers as the direct taxpayers, with revenue funding state-level safety initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new excise tax on firearms dealers to fund community safety programs, supplementing existing services without replacement.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds violence prevention & trauma care programs, key criminal justice reform initiatives targeting root causes of violence.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates 26% to trauma care and 8% to University of Maryland Medical System, directly funding healthcare services without replacement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Firearms

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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 · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 671: Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman - Mandatory Appropriation

HB 671 requires Maryland's Governor to allocate at least 3% of funds collected from a Medicaid quality assessment on qualifying nursing facilities (45+ beds operating in the state) to fund the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman starting in fiscal year 2027. This directly affects nursing facilities that pay the assessment and ensures dedicated, supplemental funding for the Ombudsman office, which advocates for residents' rights in long-term care settings. The bill updates existing law to mandate this specific allocation from the assessment pool, specifying that these funds must be "in addition to" and not replace existing Ombudsman funding. It does not change the assessment rate (capped at 6% of facility revenue) or the reporting requirements for the Department.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates 3% of Medicaid assessment funds to directly fund Ombudsman office, allocating existing revenue to strengthen advocacy for long-term care residents through dedicated budgeting.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds Ombudsman office to advocate for nursing home residents' rights, strengthening patient protections in long-term care under Medicaid program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Long-Term Care Medicaid

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 224: Reentry and Reintegration Support Program - Establishment

HB 224 would have established a voluntary program to help individuals released from Maryland state prisons access essential benefits before their release. It required coordination between three state agencies to create a standardized prerelease application process for SNAP (food assistance), Temporary Cash Assistance, and Medicaid. The program would have provided in-person help at correctional facilities to gather required documents like birth certificates and income proof, ensuring benefits were available immediately upon release. The bill was withdrawn by its sponsor on February 9, 2026, and never became law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes program to facilitate Medicaid access for prison reentry, directly expanding healthcare coverage through coordinated benefits enrollment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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