Del. Terri Hill

Maddy summaryHB 321 amends Maryland law to change the definition of "purchaser" for pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) regulations, specifically excluding certain nonprofit health maintenance organizations (HMOs) from this definition. This removes restrictions that previously limited how certain insurance laws applied to PBMs working on behalf of carriers. The bill directly affects nonprofit HMOs that operate internal pharmacies and PBMs managing prescription drug coverage for them. These changes clarify regulatory scope without altering core PBM oversight requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1420 requires each county and Baltimore City Register of Wills to develop a method for people without government-issued ID (like a driver's license or passport) to prove their identity as heirs or beneficiaries when claiming inheritance. This directly affects individuals who lack standard identification but need to access estate assets through probate. The bill mandates that Registers work with the Maryland Registers of Wills Association to create these verification methods. The law takes effect October 1, 2025. (Note: The bill title mentions "noncitizens," but the actual text focuses on identity verification regardless of citizenship status.)

Maddy summaryHB 1352 prohibits Maryland institutions of higher education from denying students access to facilities or services due to sickle cell disease diagnosis and requires them to provide reasonable accommodations. The bill mandates the Maryland Department of Health to develop an education campaign for campuses about sickle cell disease challenges, create uniform procedures with the Maryland Higher Education Commission for supporting affected students, and compile training materials for faculty and staff. Institutions must also establish clear reporting procedures for violations and publicly share accommodation policies. These requirements take effect October 1, 2025, directly impacting all Maryland colleges and universities and students with sickle cell disease.

Maddy summaryHB 1053 clarifies that parents, other family members, or legal guardians may provide self-directed services to individuals with developmental disabilities under the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration, directly affecting recipients who choose this option. The bill amends Maryland's Health General Code (Section 7-409(a)(4)) to require two conditions: the recipient or their decision-maker must select the family provider, and the recipient must hire a support broker. This change expands existing self-directed service options without altering eligibility or funding mechanisms. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, and applies to all current and future recipients of self-directed services under the Administration.

Maddy summaryHB 1198, the Monica Cooper Prerelease Act, requires Maryland to establish a dedicated prerelease facility for female incarcerated individuals in Baltimore City (on at least 3 acres) by 2027. The facility must serve women with low violence/escape risk and satisfactory behavior, offering evidence-based programs like education, vocational training, trauma-informed healthcare, and family reunification support. It mandates the Department of Public Safety to provide comprehensive rehabilitative services - including help with public health benefits applications - and report progress to lawmakers by 2026. This bill directly affects female inmates eligible for prerelease status, aiming to reduce recidivism through gender-responsive reentry planning.

Maddy summaryHB 386 prohibits the use of pesticides containing PFAS chemicals (a class of fluorinated chemicals) at specific locations, including schools, healthcare facilities, day cares, residential lawns, and commercial mosquito spraying, beginning June 1, 2026. The Maryland Department of Agriculture must create and maintain a list of all PFAS pesticides by January 1, 2026, and distribute it to certified applicators. The bill also bans new registrations of PFAS pesticides for sale in Maryland starting June 1, 2027, and prohibits all use of these pesticides statewide after June 1, 2028. This directly affects pesticide manufacturers, certified applicators, and entities using pesticides in the specified locations.

Maddy summaryHB 830 requires Maryland health insurers, nonprofit health plans, and health maintenance organizations to cover genetic testing for individuals with a personal or family history of cancer, as recommended by healthcare providers and aligned with medical guidelines. It also mandates coverage for follow-up cancer imaging (like mammograms or colonoscopies) if genetic testing indicates increased cancer risk, with no copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles for these specific services. The law applies to all health plans issued, delivered, or renewed in Maryland starting January 1, 2026, directly affecting patients with cancer risk factors and their insurers.

Maddy summaryHB 1001 designates "The Original Maryland Orange Crush" as Maryland's official state cocktail, recognizing its origin at Ocean City's Harborside Bar and Grill. The bill amends Maryland law by adding Section 7-313 to the Annotated Code, formally naming the cocktail in state statutes. This is a symbolic designation with no regulatory or financial impact on businesses, consumers, or state operations. It affects Maryland's official state symbols but does not change any existing laws governing alcohol or cocktails. The change takes effect June 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 763 requires Maryland public and qualifying nonpublic schools to include age-appropriate material about human and sex trafficking awareness and prevention in health curricula for students in grades 6 through 8. This amendment to existing education law builds upon current sexual abuse and assault prevention programs by adding specific content about trafficking. The law mandates that this material be taught by trained instructors and integrated into standard health education. The policy change applies to all schools participating in the Nonpublic Schools Textbook and Technology Grants Program, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1495 requires health insurers and plans in Maryland to cover preventive ovarian cancer screenings - including MRI and CT scans - for individuals aged 45 and older, with no out-of-pocket costs like copays or deductibles. It applies to all health insurance policies issued in Maryland, except for those under high-deductible health plans (HDHPs), which may still require the deductible to apply for these screenings. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026, ensuring coverage without cost-sharing for eligible individuals. This directly affects health insurers, plans, and people over 45 seeking ovarian cancer screenings.