Rep. Steve Johnson

Maddy summaryHB 422 expands Maryland's expedited partner therapy (EPT) program to include bacterial vaginosis (BV), allowing certain healthcare providers to prescribe antibiotics to a partner of a diagnosed patient without requiring a physical exam of the partner. The bill specifically adds BV to the list of conditions (alongside chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis) where physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and designated health department nurses can provide treatment to partners. This applies to patients diagnosed with BV, aiming to reduce reinfection and slow disease spread without requiring partners to visit a clinic. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 374 revises Maryland's acupuncture licensing rules to clarify that "manual therapies" (like acupressure) are included under licensed acupuncture practice. It requires the State Acupuncture Board to provide proof of license renewal instead of issuing physical renewal certificates. The bill also explicitly prohibits employers from hiring unlicensed practitioners and bans aiding or abetting unauthorized acupuncture practice. These changes directly affect licensed acupuncturists, their employers, and individuals seeking acupuncture services in Maryland. The revisions aim to modernize licensing procedures while strengthening enforcement against unlicensed activity.

Maddy summaryHB 485 updates Maryland's licensing framework for landscape architects by renaming the regulatory body to the "State Board of Professional Landscape Architects" and changing related terminology (e.g., "licensed" to "professional" landscape architects). It revises qualifications for board membership, application requirements, examination processes, license renewal terms, and fees for professionals seeking or maintaining licensure. The bill also introduces a new "emeritus status" license for retired professionals. These changes directly affect landscape architects, firms, and the Board in Maryland, streamlining regulatory language and processes under the updated title.

Maddy summaryHB 377 expands the scope of practice for physician assistants (PAs) in Maryland by adding them to specific healthcare roles that previously required physicians or other practitioners. The bill allows PAs to certify incapacity for treatment decisions, participate in guardianship petitions for disabled persons, and order infirmary care for pregnant inmates - previously limited to physicians or nurse practitioners. It also requires the Maryland Department of Health to cover PA examinations for emergency evaluees and adds PAs to the Statewide Advisory Commission on Immunization. These changes aim to create parity by treating PAs as equivalent to other licensed healthcare providers in key clinical and administrative processes.

Maddy summaryHB 672 amends the Maryland Pediatric Cancer Fund to specify that only nonprofit hospitals, educational institutions, and other nonprofit organizations may receive grants for pediatric cancer research, removing previous eligibility for physicians, laboratories, and individuals. The bill requires grant funds to be used exclusively for direct research costs, prohibiting use for administrative overhead or community-based services. It also mandates annual reporting to the General Assembly on fund administration, promotional efforts, and detailed fund usage.

Maddy summaryHB 975 prohibits licensed massage therapists, registered massage practitioners, and third parties acting on their behalf from advertising massage services that imply sexual activity, suggest prostitution services, or appear on sites known for such ads. It requires all advertising for massage therapy to include the full name and license or registration number of the specific practitioner. The bill also sets standards for permissible advertising, such as allowing business-level ads without listing individual therapists, and mandates that trade names not be deceptive. These changes directly affect massage therapy practitioners and their marketing practices in Maryland, effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1094 requires Maryland health insurers to reimburse individuals for services provided by graduate-level clinical interns in counseling, social work, and psychology under specific conditions. It applies to insureds covered by policies meeting Maryland’s jurisdictional requirements (e.g., issued in-state or covering Maryland residents). Reimbursement is mandated only when interns work under direct supervision of licensed professionals at outpatient facilities and services are billed by the supervising clinician. The bill amends existing insurance codes to ensure coverage for these supervised intern services, directly affecting insurers, interns, and patients seeking mental health care.

Maddy summaryHB 804 establishes the Aging Resilience Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund under Maryland law. The fund, administered by the Secretary of Aging, will support the Department of Aging's mission through investment earnings, fees, and other designated sources. It can be used for administrative expenses like personnel, partnership development, and programs aligning with the Department's goals. The fund must be held separately by the State Treasurer, with interest earnings credited back to it, and expenditures require compliance with the state budget. This is a procedural bill creating a new funding mechanism rather than changing substantive policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1002 prohibits nursing facilities from involuntarily discharging or transferring residents to temporary housing (like hotels) without confirmation from the receiving facility that it can accept the resident. It requires facilities to provide residents with clear written notices at least 10 days before a discharge or transfer, including the reason, new location, and contact information for hearings. The bill also bans facilities from discharging Medicaid-eligible residents solely because they qualify for Medicaid benefits, and mandates that post-discharge plans include specific care details. These changes aim to protect residents' rights and ensure smoother transitions during involuntary moves.

Maddy summaryHB 838 repeals a requirement that prescribers submit prescriber-pharmacist agreements to their regulating health board. Instead, it allows pharmacists (with specific qualifications, registrations, and training) to directly enter agreements authorizing them to treat opioid use disorder using controlled substances. A key provision requires pharmacists to check the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) for relevant patient data before starting or changing such therapy. This bill directly affects pharmacists, prescribers, and patients with opioid use disorder by expanding pharmacists' role in medication management under defined safeguards.