Del. Steve Johnson

Maddy summaryHB 575 reformulates Maryland's Criminal Injuries Compensation Board by expanding it from five to seven members and mandating that the new composition reflect the state's racial, ethnic, geographic, and gender diversity. The bill specifically requires at least one board member to be a survivor of violence from a community facing high rates of violence and incarceration, while another must represent an organization assisting victims with compensation applications. It also updates the definition of "victim" to include individuals who suffer physical or psychological injury while trying to prevent a crime, apprehend an offender, or assist law enforcement or emergency services. Additionally, the legislation clarifies which crimes are eligible for compensation and outlines the qualifications for third-party professionals who can assist in claims. Finally, the act grants the Governor the authority to include funding for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund in the annual state budget.

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 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 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.