Del. Jamila Woods

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new process requiring anyone buying a nursing home in Maryland to notify the Maryland Health Care Commission at least 60 days before closing the deal. The law defines an acquisition as any transfer of stock or assets that changes who controls the facility, or the transfer of more than 25% of ownership. Before finalizing the purchase, buyers must submit a request for approval that includes the seller's quality ratings, evidence of past quality committees, inspection reports, and records of any lawsuits involving the facility. The Commission will review these details and provide written findings to the Office of Health Care Quality, with the option for judicial review if the Commission denies the acquisition. Additionally, the bill mandates that new owners submit regular reports to the Commission after taking over the facility.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires individuals applying for a new optometry license or renewing an existing one in Maryland to undergo a criminal history records check. To complete this process, applicants must submit fingerprints and pay the necessary fees to obtain both state and national criminal history information from the Central Repository. The State Board of Examiners in Optometry will use these records to evaluate whether an applicant poses a threat to public health or safety, considering factors such as the age and nature of any past crimes. Additionally, the law mandates that the board request updated criminal history information if new records are discovered after the initial check is performed.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law regulates the sale of kratom products by requiring retailers to clearly label the factual basis for any health claims and prohibiting the sale of contaminated or adulterated items. The bill sets specific limits on alkaloid content, bans the sale of synthetic derivatives, and restricts sales to individuals under the age of 21. It also forbids advertising kratom as having therapeutic benefits and prohibits marketing materials that appeal to minors, such as cartoons or images of people appearing under 27. Retailers who violate these rules face civil penalties, fines, or misdemeanor charges, while the state health department is tasked with reporting adverse health events related to kratom use.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill updates state laws to allow the Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals to award attorney's fees and other reasonable costs to parties involved in procurement disputes. Specifically, it enables the board to reimburse prospective bidders or contractors if the board finds that a government agency violated laws or regulations during a protest or contract claim process. The legislation also mandates that these fees be awarded when government personnel act in bad faith or without justification while handling contract issues. By making these financial remedies mandatory under certain conditions, the bill aims to provide clearer recourse for businesses challenging state procurement actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the structure and duties of Maryland's Commission on Health Equity to oversee the creation and monitoring of a statewide health equity plan. It requires the commission to include specific representatives from hospitals, community organizations, underserved patients, and various state departments to ensure diverse input. Additionally, the legislation modifies the reporting requirements for the Commission on Public Health and clarifies definitions related to health equity within state law. These changes aim to establish a formal governance framework for addressing health disparities across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Maryland Department of Health to directly report deficiencies and enforcement actions at state-owned nursing homes to the Governor, legislative committees, and local county officials, rather than leaving this task to the private contractors operating the facilities. Specifically, the department must notify these stakeholders within 15 days of a final survey finding and within 30 days of a contractor accepting a correction plan or resolving a dispute, ensuring timely transparency about care quality issues. Additionally, the law mandates an annual report detailing all survey activities and enforcement actions taken against these homes, starting in 2024, to provide a comprehensive overview of oversight efforts. By shifting the responsibility for communication from contractors to the state department, the legislation aims to streamline how critical information about nursing home conditions is shared with the public and government leaders.

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.