Del. Lesley Lopez

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the legal definition of "practice audiology" in Maryland to clarify the specific duties and procedures that fall under the scope of the profession. The changes allow audiologists to evaluate, diagnose, manage, and treat auditory and vestibular conditions, as well as prescribe, order, sell, dispense, or fit hearing aids, sound processors, and cochlear implants. However, the legislation explicitly excludes surgical procedures, such as those involving lasers or scalpels, and the preparation or performance of radiographic imaging from the definition of audiology practice. These updates aim to modernize the regulatory framework for audiologists without altering the existing requirements for their licensure.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes fees on telephone and mobile service providers to fund Maryland's behavioral health crisis response system. It requires traditional phone companies to pay a fee per subscriber and prepaid wireless providers to pay a fee on each retail transaction, with all collected money going into a dedicated state trust fund. The fund is designated to cover the costs of maintaining the 9-8-8 suicide prevention hotline and supporting statewide crisis services such as call centers, mobile teams, and stabilization facilities. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the state Comptroller audit how these fees are collected and limits the amount of revenue that can be used for administrative expenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new regulatory framework for limited licensed radiologic technologists in Maryland, creating a specific license category for individuals who perform basic X-ray duties without a full medical license. The legislation allows unlicensed individuals to take X-rays only in a physician's office under the direct supervision of a licensed professional and restricts these duties to specific procedures like chest, spine, and extremity imaging while explicitly excluding advanced services such as CT scans, mammograms, and radiation therapy. To qualify, applicants must complete a standardized educational program with at least 115 hours of training and 480 hours of clinical practice, pass a certification exam, and maintain their status through continuing education. Additionally, the bill updates the composition of the state advisory committee responsible for overseeing radiation therapy and radiography regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Maryland's Employed Individuals with Disabilities Program to ensure that people with disabilities can access medical assistance while working without facing strict financial or age barriers. It requires the Department of Health to provide services to applicants aged 16 and older and prohibits limiting eligibility based on earned or unearned income, assets like retirement accounts, or an upper age limit. The legislation also mandates that the application process use plain language and allows recipients to keep their independence accounts without restrictions on how they spend the funds. Additionally, the state must consult with a coalition of disability advocates twice a year to review and adjust program regulations as needed.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Maryland Insurance Administration to conduct a comprehensive study of professional employer organizations within the state. The study will examine how these organizations are regulated compared to federal rules and other states, review their history and health plan benefits, and analyze requirements for businesses to join them. Additionally, the administration will look at how these groups allow small business employees to access large group health plans and assess potential impacts on the local small group market. The agency must submit its findings to the House Health and Government Operations Committee and the Senate Finance Committee by December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law updates rules on how contraceptives are sold and allows registered nurses to provide certain nonprescription medications without a doctor's order. The bill removes criminal penalties for selling contraceptives through vending machines in schools and clarifies that only natural membrane condoms, not all nonlatex condoms, are banned from such machines. It also authorizes a committee to create a list of over-the-counter drugs and devices that registered nurses can dispense at local health departments. Additionally, the legislation defines key terms like "dispense" and "authorized prescriber" to guide how nurses handle these medications. These changes aim to improve access to reproductive health products and expand the role of nurses in public health settings.

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.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill updates regulations for assisted living managers, primarily by extending the deadline for mandatory licensing and modifying training requirements. It allows managers to delay full licensure until July 1, 2026, while also reducing the required training hours from 80 to a mix of in-person and virtual options, provided the training includes direct faculty interaction. The legislation also clarifies rules for interim managers who step in temporarily and adjusts the composition of the State Board of Long-Term Care Administrators to include more assisted living managers. Additionally, the bill maintains penalties for facilities that fail to employ qualified managers and ensures approved training courses remain affordable and accessible.

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.