Del. Robbyn Lewis

Maddy summaryHB 381, the "Healing Our Scars Act," requires Maryland's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) and certain health insurers, HMOs, and managed care organizations to cover aesthetic services and restorative care for victims of domestic violence starting January 1, 2026. The bill applies specifically to services treating physical injuries caused by domestic violence, as defined in Maryland law (including injuries from current or former spouses or cohabitants), and mandates coverage only when a licensed physician determines the care is medically necessary. It amends existing health and insurance laws to include this requirement, applying to all relevant health benefit plans issued, delivered, or renewed in Maryland on or after January 1, 2026. The law aims to address physical injuries sustained in domestic violence cases by expanding access to necessary medical and cosmetic recovery services.

Maddy summaryHB 496 modifies Maryland's tax credit program for healthcare professionals who serve as unpaid preceptors in nursing programs within areas designated as having healthcare workforce shortages. It reduces the required training hours per rotation from 100 to 90 hours for eligible nurse practitioners, physicians, licensed practical nurses, and registered nurses. The credit applies only to preceptors working in designated shortage areas and is funded through a new $15 fee on nurse practitioner license renewals, with funds directed to the preceptor tax credit program. This bill directly affects healthcare professionals mentoring nursing students in underserved regions, making it easier to qualify for the tax credit by lowering the hour requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 383, the "So Every Body Can Move Act," requires Maryland's Medicaid program (Medical Assistance Program) and certain private health insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and HMOs to cover orthoses - custom devices treating neuromuscular or musculoskeletal conditions - starting January 1, 2026. The bill mandates coverage for the devices themselves, components, repairs, and replacements without lifetime limits or higher copays than other medical benefits. It specifies that replacements must be covered if a healthcare provider determines they’re needed due to physiological changes, irreparable damage, or repair costs exceeding 60% of replacement costs. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries and insured individuals in Maryland requiring orthotic devices for daily living, work, or physical activity. The law amends Maryland’s Health and Insurance Articles (sections 15-103 and 15-820) to establish these coverage requirements.

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 mandates that Maryland's Medical Assistance Program begin providing comprehensive coverage for obesity treatment starting July 1, 2025. The coverage includes intensive behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved medications for chronic weight management, while also requiring the state to notify recipients of these new benefits. Before the coverage takes effect, the Maryland Department of Health must conduct a study to compare other states' programs and estimate potential cost savings, with findings due by December 31, 2024.

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, known as the Homecare Worker Rights Act of 2024, changes how Maryland residential service agencies are paid for personal assistance services. Starting in 2026, the state will only provide reimbursement to these agencies if the workers delivering care are officially classified as employees rather than independent contractors. The law aims to ensure that caregivers receive employee benefits by tying state funding directly to their employment status. This policy directly affects residential service agencies, their homecare workers, and third-party payors involved in funding these services.

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.