Healthcare (Public Health)

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1135: Health Occupations - Pharmacists - Vaccination Orders

HB 1135 allows pharmacists in Maryland to order certain vaccinations for patients aged 3 and older without needing to administer the vaccine themselves. Pharmacists must complete 20+ hours of approved training covering vaccine safety, injection techniques, and emergency response, hold current CPR certification, and report all vaccinations to the ImmuNet program. The bill specifically covers influenza, COVID-19, and emergency-use vaccines, and requires pharmacists to refer minors to pediatric care when ordering vaccines. This expands pharmacists' role in vaccine access while maintaining safety protocols and reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands pharmacist authority to order vaccines for patients 3+, increasing access to public health services and aligning with vaccination coverage goals without physician oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Public Health

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1012: Public Health - Local Suicide Fatality Review Teams - Authorization

HB 1012 authorizes counties and municipalities in Maryland to establish local suicide fatality review teams, which directly affect local governments and public health agencies. These teams must include representatives from health departments, law enforcement, schools, hospitals, and mental health professionals to review suicide cases and identify systemic factors. The bill requires teams to coordinate with the state suicide review committee and mandates confidentiality for case discussions, exempting meetings about individual cases from public disclosure laws and protecting sensitive information. It also prohibits public disclosure of identifying details about deceased individuals or those affected by suicide, ensuring privacy while allowing teams to develop prevention recommendations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes local suicide review teams including mental health professionals to identify systemic factors, directly supporting mental health service coordination and prevention efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Public Health

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 13, 2026

HB 1487: Public Health – Baltimore City Mobile Infant and Maternal Health Pilot Program

HB 1487 establishes the "MomMobile" pilot program within Maryland’s Department of Health to deliver mobile postpartum care in Baltimore City. It directly affects residents in underserved Baltimore neighborhoods by providing on-site checkups, mental health screenings, and culturally competent care from midwives and doulas via mobile health units. The bill requires the Secretary to collaborate with Baltimore City Health Department to determine operating neighborhoods, funding partnerships, staffing, and evaluation metrics. Annual reports on program implementation must be submitted to the Governor and legislative committees starting in 2027. The program aims to reduce transportation barriers, improve visit attendance, and identify metrics for maternal health outcomes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mobile maternal/infant health program with mental health screenings and culturally competent care in underserved Baltimore neighborhoods, expanding access to public health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Public Health Women's Health

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signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 555: Health - Dementia Services and Brain Health Program and Provider Resource Toolkit

SB 555 establishes the Dementia Services and Brain Health Program within the Maryland Department of Health to lead state public health efforts for brain health and dementia care. The bill shifts responsibilities from a "Director" position to this new Program, requiring it to staff the Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer’s Council, oversee implementation of the State Plan on dementia, and develop a clinical toolkit for healthcare providers. The toolkit will provide evidence-based guidance to help providers deliver person-centered dementia care across medical settings. This bill directly affects Maryland residents living with dementia or at risk, healthcare providers who will use the toolkit, and the Council’s operations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes Dementia Services Program to develop clinical toolkit for providers, advancing dementia care and brain health services within public health framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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

HB 1477: Public Health - Ibogaine Clinical Research Grant Program - Establishment (Veterans Mental Health Innovations Act)

HB 1477 establishes Maryland's Ibogaine Clinical Research Grant Program to fund clinical trials on ibogaine - a naturally occurring compound from the iboga plant - for treating opioid use disorder and other neurological conditions. The program, administered by the Maryland Department of Health in consultation with the Department of Veterans and Military Families, awards up to three annual grants to eligible research institutions in Maryland that meet specific criteria (including expertise in neurological disorders and substance use treatment) and require matching funds equal to the grant amount. Funding comes from $500,000 annually (fiscal years 2028-2030) in the Opioid Restitution Fund, with recipients required to conduct FDA-overseen trials and submit quarterly progress and financial reports. The bill aligns with the "Veterans Mental Health Innovations Act" title but does not restrict trials to veterans, focusing instead on broader neurological and opioid use disorder research.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes grant program funding clinical research on opioid treatment, allocating state funds for public health initiative.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds clinical research grants for ibogaine treatment of opioid use disorder, directly supporting mental health services through research funding.92% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill titled 'Veterans Mental Health Innovations Act' establishes research grants for opioid treatment (a veteran health priority) with direct consultation from Veterans Department, explicitly targeting veteran healthcare needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Public Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 798: Public Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Tobacco Cessation

SB 798 requires Maryland’s Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid) to cover individual and group counseling for tobacco cessation, starting October 1, 2026, subject to state budget and federal law. It directly affects Medicaid enrollees seeking to quit tobacco use by eliminating prior authorization requirements for cessation counseling and related products. The bill amends program rules to mandate this coverage under Section 15-103(a)(2)(xxix) and prohibits managed care organizations from blocking access to these services via prior approval. This policy change aims to remove administrative barriers to evidence-based tobacco cessation support for low-income Maryland residents.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid coverage for tobacco cessation counseling without prior authorization, expanding access to preventive healthcare services for enrollees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Public Health

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1109: Public Health Reform Act

HB 1109 creates the Maryland Medical Reserve Corps, a statewide volunteer network for emergencies like disease outbreaks or disasters, managed by the Maryland Department of Health. It requires the Department to notify county health officers about procurement opportunities for electronic health records systems, allowing counties to join without state approval if fully funded locally. The bill establishes a Public Health Workforce Development Fund (using interest earnings and transfers from another fund) and mandates the Department of Legislative Services to assess health equity impacts of new legislation. These changes directly affect county health departments, the Department of Health, and public health workforce planning.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Maryland Medical Reserve Corps for emergencies, establishes Public Health Workforce Development Fund, and mandates EHR procurement opportunities - directly strengthening public health infrastructure and workforce capacity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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

HB 1131: Public Health - Pregnancy Loss - Prohibited Actions (Pregnancy Outcome Protection Act)

HB 1131 (Pregnancy Outcome Protection Act) prohibits law enforcement and agencies from investigating, prosecuting, or imposing civil liability on individuals who experienced pregnancy loss (including miscarriage, stillbirth, or self-managed abortion), except when independent evidence of unrelated criminal conduct exists or the individual consents. It protects healthcare providers from liability for supporting patients during or after pregnancy loss and restricts disclosure of medical records related to pregnancy loss without evidence of abuse, unrelated criminal conduct, or patient consent. The bill creates a private right to sue for violations and establishes misdemeanor penalties for knowingly violating its provisions. These changes apply to all Maryland residents and healthcare providers within the state’s health system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits law enforcement from investigating/prosecuting pregnancy loss cases, protecting civil rights and reducing unnecessary criminalization in medical contexts.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patients from legal action during pregnancy loss and shields healthcare providers from liability, advancing patient rights and access to care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Public Health Women's Health

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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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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 23, 2026

HB 196: Public Health - Baby Food Testing and Labeling - Requirements

HB 196 amends Maryland's definition of "baby food" to explicitly include infant formula and infant cereal (previously excluded), directly affecting baby food manufacturers in the state. The bill requires manufacturers to test each production batch of baby food for toxic metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury) starting January 1, 2025, using accredited labs at least monthly. Beginning January 1, 2026, manufacturers must publicly post test results online for each product and include QR codes on labels linking to FDA information about metal testing and health effects. The law aims to increase transparency and safety for infants under age 2 by aligning testing requirements with FDA standards.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates testing baby food for environmental pollutants (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury), directly reducing toxic metal exposure and strengthening pollution control in consumer products.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires toxic metal testing in baby food (infant formula/cereal) to protect infant health, directly advancing public health safety standards under Maryland's Public Health framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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