Rep. Seth Howard

Primary HB 408

Signed into law · Maryland House · Lead sponsor

Mental Health Law - County Mental Health Advisory Committees - Membership

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the membership rules for Maryland county mental health advisory committees to better include voices from the military and veteran communities. It achieves this by adding a new category that allows the appointment of individuals with experience in mental health care for veterans or those currently serving in the military. The change ensures that these specific groups are represented alongside existing categories such as patients, family members, and medical professionals. This adjustment aims to broaden the committee's perspective on mental health services without altering the overall structure or voting powers of the advisory body.

Signed into law May 16, 2024 0 co-sponsors

Primary HB 1339

Signed into law · Maryland House · Lead sponsor

Health Insurance - Hearing Aids for Adults - Coverage

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law requires health insurance plans and health maintenance organizations to cover hearing aids for adults who are prescribed, fitted, and dispensed by a licensed audiologist. The coverage applies to non-disposable devices designed to improve hearing in environments commonly experienced by adults and allows insurers to set a maximum benefit of $1,400 per ear every three years. If an adult chooses a hearing aid that costs more than the plan's limit, they can pay the difference without facing financial or contractual penalties for the provider. The law also permits insurance companies to offer benefits that are more generous than these minimum requirements. These provisions take effect on January 1, 2025.

Signed into law May 16, 2024 0 co-sponsors

Primary HB 676

Signed into law · Maryland House · Lead sponsor

Right to Try Act - Individualized Investigational Treatments

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Maryland's Right to Try Act to include individualized investigational treatments, such as gene therapies and personalized vaccines, for patients with life-threatening or severely debilitating illnesses rather than only those with terminal conditions. It allows manufacturers to charge patients for these treatments and removes previous restrictions on profiting from them, while also permitting health insurance carriers and government agencies to cover the costs. The law requires a detailed informed consent process that outlines available alternatives, potential risks, and the possibility that the treatment could hasten death, and it clarifies that patients remain liable for expenses unless covered by law or contract.

Signed into law May 16, 2024 0 co-sponsors

Primary HB 1206

Signed into law · Maryland House · Lead sponsor

Maryland-Ireland Trade Commission - Establishment

Signed into law May 9, 2024 0 co-sponsors

Primary HB 715

Signed into law · Maryland House · Lead sponsor

Fishing and Hunting Licenses and Trout Stamps - Complimentary Licenses and Stamp Exemption - Veterans Determined to be Unemployable

Signed into law May 9, 2024 0 co-sponsors

Primary HB 1354

Passed · Maryland House · Lead sponsor

Public Schools - Veterans' Day - Authorized Public School Holiday

Passed Apr 8, 2024 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 1396

Passed · Maryland House · Lead sponsor

Maryland Department of Health - Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Levels of Care - Study

Passed Mar 19, 2024 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 1174

Passed · Maryland House · Lead sponsor

State Government - Technology Advisory Commission - Established

Passed Mar 18, 2024 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 1253

died · Maryland House · Lead sponsor

Health Care Facilities - Access to Telephones

died Mar 16, 2024 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 1233

In committee · Maryland House · Lead sponsor

Public Health - Abortion

In committee Mar 15, 2024 0 co-sponsors Track