Del. Pam Guzzone

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Qualified Resident Enrollment Program to help individuals in Maryland who currently lack health insurance access enroll in qualified plans. It defines "qualified residents" as people living in the state who are not incarcerated, regardless of their immigration status, and who do not qualify for existing federal or state assistance programs like Medicaid or Medicare. The program allows the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange to manage enrollment, potentially with help from a third-party contractor, and requires a specific federal waiver approval before it can begin. Additionally, the legislation creates a dedicated fund to finance the program's operations and administration, ensuring it has the necessary resources to function.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill requires health insurance carriers to report detailed quarterly data to the Insurance Commissioner regarding the number of members, clean claims, and specific outcomes of grievances and emergency cases. The law also establishes a workgroup composed of representatives from insurance companies and consumers to study the appeals and grievances process, including how carriers use artificial intelligence in these decisions. This group must submit its findings and recommendations to state legislative committees by December 31, 2024, to help improve transparency and consumer understanding of the claims process.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill requires health care providers issuing standing orders for opioid overdose reversal drugs to let patients choose any FDA-approved formulation of the medication. It also mandates that the Maryland Department of Health submit regular reports to state legislative committees by December 1 of 2024, 2025, and 2026, detailing available drugs and explaining why certain approved options have not been included in standing orders. These changes aim to increase patient choice and improve transparency regarding the availability of life-saving overdose reversal treatments.

Maddy summaryThe Maryland Maternal Health Act of 2024 requires hospitals and freestanding birthing centers to complete specific risk assessment and referral forms for high-risk pregnancies, with compliance tied to their ability to receive state medical reimbursement. Facilities must submit these forms to local health departments and provide postpartum parents with information on managing complications, including mental health and substance misuse, followed by a phone call within 24 to 48 hours of discharge. Additionally, the state will create a report card to evaluate maternity care quality and conduct studies on severe maternal morbidity incidents to improve surveillance and reporting.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Maryland Department of Health to create and run a three-year public education campaign focused on preventing prostate, lung, and breast cancer, with a specific emphasis on communities disproportionately affected by these diseases. The campaign will provide information on risk factors, warning signs, and prevention guidelines while encouraging participation in clinical trials and screenings, and it will be developed in partnership with healthcare providers, hospitals, and relevant health associations. Funding for this initiative will come from the Cigarette Restitution Fund, with a total appropriation capped at $750,000 for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. The Department is required to submit progress reports to the General Assembly every year starting in 2027 to demonstrate how well the campaign is meeting its measurable goals.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill expands the list of people who can request medical records without paying a fee to include attorneys representing patients. The law specifically allows these attorneys to obtain records free of charge when the documents are needed to file or appeal a claim for Social Security disability income or benefits. By adding attorneys to the existing exemptions that already cover patients and their personal representatives, the bill ensures legal advocates can access necessary medical information without incurring costs. The changes take effect on October 1, 2024, and apply to all health care providers in the state.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law requires hospitals to create specific protocols for treating patients suffering from opioid overdoses or related emergency conditions. Under the new rules, hospitals must have the capacity to provide and administer approved medications for opioid use disorder and offer evidence-based interventions to reduce the risk of future harm before discharging patients. Additionally, the bill mandates that hospitals refer patients diagnosed with opioid use disorder to community providers for voluntary ongoing treatment and connect them with peer support professionals. To help hospitals implement these requirements, the state will use funds from the Opioid Restitution Fund to provide necessary training and resources.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill modernizes the practice of physician assistants by requiring them to hold a collaboration agreement with a patient care team physician instead of a delegation agreement. It also updates the scope of practice and education requirements for licensure, while allowing federal government physician assistants to perform their duties during specific disasters. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the State Board of Physicians regularly review and update the list of advance duties available to physician assistants. These changes aim to clarify professional responsibilities and streamline how physician assistants operate within the state's healthcare system.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill redefines consent in sexual crime laws to mean a clear and voluntary agreement, explicitly stating that past relationships, clothing choices, or submission due to fear do not constitute consent. It removes the requirement for force or threats to prove a crime, instead making the lack of consent a standalone element that can be shown through words or actions. The law also clarifies that consent can be withdrawn at any time and cannot be documented in writing. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Maryland Judiciary report annual statistics on sexual crime charges and convictions, broken down by county and demographic factors, until 2029.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill modifies the Pediatric Cancer Fund to restrict its use exclusively to pediatric cancer research while also permitting the allocation of up to 5% of the fund for administrative expenses and promotional activities. To manage these changes, the legislation establishes a new Pediatric Cancer Research Commission tasked with overseeing the award of competitive grants to eligible physicians, hospitals, and research institutions. The commission is composed of a diverse group including adult survivors, caregivers, scientists from major universities, medical professionals, and representatives from national health organizations. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reporting to the General Assembly detailing how the fund is administered and utilized.