Del. Lesley Lopez

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law expands the definition of an accredited residential treatment center to include facilities certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities and the Council on Accreditation, in addition to those already recognized by the Joint Commission. By updating state health codes, the bill ensures that these additional organizations are treated with the same regulatory respect as the primary accrediting body when determining a facility's status. Consequently, residential treatment centers accredited by these new organizations will be subject to the same inspection and enforcement procedures as previously recognized centers if serious patient care issues are identified. The changes take effect on October 1, 2024, and apply to all relevant health care facilities under the state's general health regulations.

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 bill directs the Maryland Department of Health to hire an independent consultant to study four state health and insurance agencies: the Health Services Cost Review Commission, the Maryland Health Care Commission, the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission, and the Maryland Insurance Administration. The consultant will examine overlaps in their duties, suggest ways to streamline operations, and analyze how their functions align with state healthcare models. The study must include input from the agencies themselves and conclude with a report to the Governor and relevant legislative committees by January 1, 2026.

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 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.