HB 1246 requires the Maryland Department of Health to create and maintain a public database listing job training and employment programs across the state. This database will help individuals qualify for or maintain eligibility for Maryland Medical Assistance (Medicaid) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by connecting them directly to relevant training opportunities. Key provisions include monthly updates to the database, coordination with agencies like the Department of Labor and Human Services to recommend programs, and a direct contact mechanism for users to enroll in listed programs. The bill aims to streamline access to workforce development resources for residents seeking to improve their economic stability while qualifying for state assistance programs.
SB 866 requires chain restaurants with 20 or more locations in Maryland to display warning icons next to menu items exceeding 1,150mg sodium or 25mg added sugars per serving, starting January 1, 2028. The Maryland Department of Health must create these icons and guidelines by January 1, 2027, and run a public education campaign during 2027 to explain compliance. The bill directly affects large chain restaurants by mandating clear labeling of high-sodium and high-sugar menu items. It defines "high sodium" as 1,150mg per serving and "high added sugars" as 25mg per serving for labeling purposes.
HB 813 authorizes Maryland's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) to cover comprehensive obesity treatment, including intensive behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved weight management medications, starting January 1, 2027. The bill requires the Maryland Department of Health to notify Medicaid recipients if it chooses to provide this coverage and mandates a report to the legislature by November 1, 2027, on implementation progress. This directly affects Medicaid recipients with obesity by expanding covered treatments beyond current scope. The program may use standard utilization management processes (like for other conditions) to assess medical necessity but is not required to offer the coverage.
SB 608 requires Maryland's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Plan) and certain health insurers, nonprofit health plans, and health maintenance organizations to cover single-gene and multigene pharmacogenomic testing starting July 1, 2027. This applies specifically when a treating provider orders the test for patients with depression or anxiety who are considering a medication change, dose adjustment, or addition with a known gene-drug interaction. The bill limits prior authorization requirements to ensure timely access, mandating clear pathways, minimal documentation, and sufficient time for submissions without creating unnecessary delays. Noncompliance could result in penalties of up to $10,000 per violation plus $1,000 daily until resolved. The law aims to improve medication safety and effectiveness by making this genetic testing accessible for targeted patient groups.
HB 1483 repeals Maryland's requirement for out-of-state clinical counselors to obtain a temporary telehealth license. It allows licensed counselors from other states to provide telehealth counseling to clients who relocated to Maryland (or returned after relocating), for up to six months, if they already had an established client-counselor relationship before the move. This exempts these counselors from Maryland's standard licensure rules during the six-month continuity period, but only for existing clients who relocated - not for new clients. The bill does not change regular licensing requirements for ongoing practice in Maryland.
SB 656 bans 12 specific harmful chemicals in cosmetics sold in Maryland, including formaldehyde, mercury, and certain PFAS chemicals. It creates civil liability for manufacturers or sellers who violate this ban, allowing consumers to sue for damages. The Maryland Department of Health gains authority to investigate complaints, inspect businesses, and collect product samples. The law exempts trace amounts of banned ingredients that occur unavoidably during manufacturing. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 1042 requires structural racism training for health occupations (like nurses) to be funded through external sources, such as grants, so the state does not bear the cost. It specifically references a grant from the American Nurses Association to the Maryland Nurses Association as an example funding source. The bill clarifies that this training must be offered at no cost to the state, amending prior law to emphasize external funding. The requirement takes effect June 1, 2026.
HB 931 requires nursing homes in Maryland to designate physicians as medical directors who either hold a specific certification (CMD from PALTMED) or are actively working toward it. The bill directly affects nursing homes (which must comply with the certification requirement) and physicians serving in medical director roles (who must meet the certification standard). Key provisions include mandating the Maryland Department of Health to create a public online directory listing all nursing home medical directors with their credentials and certification status, and setting a deadline of September 30, 2028, for current medical directors to obtain certification. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 1354 expands Maryland's expedited licensing process to include veterinary technicians and assistants who are already licensed in another state, mirroring the existing process for veterinarians. It requires the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to establish two key credit mechanisms: time spent as a veterinary technician counts toward becoming a licensed veterinarian, and time as a veterinary assistant counts toward veterinary technician registration. The bill applies directly to licensed veterinary professionals moving to Maryland from other states with similar reciprocity agreements. The Board may only grant expedited authorization if the applicant's home state offers comparable licensing pathways for Maryland professionals.
HB 1576 increases the sales and use tax on electronic smoking devices and vaping liquid in Maryland, directing specific tax revenue to the Maryland Pediatric Cancer Fund. For electronic smoking devices, 10% of the tax revenue will fund the pediatric cancer program, while 30% of tax revenue from small vaping liquid containers (5ml or less) will go to the same fund. The bill establishes clear rules for using these funds - limiting administrative costs to 5% of the total and requiring all remaining funds to support pediatric cancer research grants. It also mandates annual reports to the legislature on how the fund is managed and spent, ensuring transparency. This policy directly affects retailers selling these products and the pediatric cancer research community.
