HB 891 requires all Maryland state and local correctional facilities, including Patuxent Institution, to provide free tampons and pads to female incarcerated individuals upon admission, routinely, and upon request. It prohibits disciplining these individuals for accidental damage to personal items caused by menstrual leakage without malicious intent. Facilities must also maintain records tracking product availability and incidents of leakage-related damage. This bill directly affects female inmates in Maryland correctional facilities by ensuring access to essential hygiene products and protecting them from unfair punishment for natural bodily functions.
HB 1593 requires Maryland's Deputy Secretary for Developmental Disabilities to provide public notice before changing the Self-Directed Services Manual, which governs waiver program services for individuals with developmental disabilities. The bill mandates a 90-day public comment period for proposed changes and prohibits adopting any revisions until this period ends. It directly affects individuals and families using self-directed services - where participants control their own care choices, staffing, and budget management - and ensures their input is considered before policy changes take effect. This procedural bill amends Maryland’s health code to formalize transparency and public engagement in updating the manual (effective October 1, 2026).
SB 837 prohibits Maryland insurance companies, health plans, and managed care organizations from requiring prior authorization, step therapy, or coverage restrictions for prescription drugs reviewed by the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB). It specifically blocks these requirements if the PDAB has not determined the drug causes an affordability challenge, has made a policy recommendation about it, or has set an upper payment limit. The bill directly affects patients needing covered medications and insurers that must comply with these new coverage rules. It aims to streamline access to PDAB-reviewed drugs by removing common insurance barriers without altering the drugs' clinical use.
HB 1410 creates a Maryland state income tax credit for employers who provide paid leave for employees donating organs. Qualified employers (those with written policies paying 100% of wages during organ donation leave) can claim a credit equal to 100% of wages paid during the first 12 weeks of leave. Unused credit can be carried forward for up to three years. The bill applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and requires employers to submit documentation proving eligibility to the Maryland Department of Health.
HB 1377 establishes a 18-month pilot program to redirect unused, unopened prescription drugs to a state repository program. It requires participating pharmacies (repositories) to collect eligible medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Days, package them properly, and transfer them to designated drop-off sites for distribution to eligible patients - while sending controlled substances directly to the DEA. The program aims to expand medication access for underserved communities, reduce pharmaceutical waste, and ensure drug safety through collaboration between Maryland’s Secretary of Health and the federal DEA. The pilot runs from July 2026 through December 2027, with mandatory reporting on collected medications by October 1, 2027.
HB 1282 prohibits licensed tobacco sellers from advertising or marketing tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, or vaping liquids to anyone under 21 years old. It bans specific tactics like using cartoons, superheroes, food images targeting minors, or symbols associated with youth in advertisements. The bill also restricts advertising in media where 15% or more of the audience is under 21, or within 500 feet of schools. This directly affects retailers and manufacturers licensed to sell tobacco products in Maryland.
SB 570 amends Maryland’s definition of "baby food" to explicitly include infant formula and infant cereal (previously excluded), affecting all baby food manufacturers in the state. It requires manufacturers to test each batch of baby food for toxic heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury) starting January 1, 2025, using accredited labs at least monthly. Manufacturers must publicly post test results online and include QR codes on labels linking to FDA safety information for each product sold in Maryland. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, with compliance for labeling and transparency requirements beginning January 1, 2026.
SB 506 allows pharmacists in Maryland to prescribe, administer, and dispense certain medications for minor conditions and HIV prevention/treatment, directly affecting patients seeking these services. Pharmacists can now treat specific minor conditions (like cold sores, strep throat, lice, and urinary infections) under statewide protocols established by the Maryland Department of Health, without requiring a new diagnosis. The bill also enables pharmacists to prescribe HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medications after performing or interpreting HIV tests, replacing the previous nPEP Standing Order Program. All activities must follow protocols that align with federal guidelines and U.S. FDA-approved drug labeling.
SB 792 requires the State Health Services Cost Review Commission to create and publish a model policy for hospitals regarding immigration enforcement actions. It also mandates that certain hospitals in Maryland develop their own policies based on this model. The bill amends specific sections of Maryland's health code to implement these requirements, focusing on standardizing how hospitals address immigration enforcement within their facilities. This directly affects designated hospitals by making written policies on immigration enforcement a formal requirement.
HB 1117 requires Maryland's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) and certain insurers to cover approved "elopement response devices" for specific individuals. These devices - such as door sensors, wearable location trackers, or alert systems - prevent people with cognitive, developmental, or neurological conditions from wandering unsafely (e.g., leaving a supervised area without the ability to return safely). Coverage is mandated when ordered by a qualified healthcare provider and documented in a qualifying plan (like an individualized education plan or dementia care plan) for eligible recipients: those under 21 with early screening eligibility, on home-based waiver programs, or diagnosed with Alzheimer’s/dementia. The bill defines these devices as medical equipment or assistive technology under state programs, ensuring coverage without regard to when the program was established.
