Sen. Arthur Ellis

Maddy summarySB 539 requires healthcare providers who prescribe medications for children in shared custody arrangements to issue two separate prescriptions. Each prescription must cover the medication amount proportional to the time each parent spends with the child under a court-approved custody or visitation schedule. Pharmacists must fill prescriptions only for the portion matching the parent’s scheduled time with the child. This law directly affects healthcare providers (doctors, pharmacists) and parents in shared custody cases in Maryland, taking effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 367 requires Maryland’s Medical Assistance Program (MAMP) to cover supportive housing and health services for eligible recipients starting July 1, 2026. It directly affects individuals experiencing chronic homelessness or housing instability with complex health needs, such as chronic illnesses, mental health conditions, or disabilities requiring assistance with daily living. Key provisions include establishing certification standards for professionals providing these services, creating a stakeholder advisory committee to guide implementation, and requiring the state to seek federal approval for the program. The bill mandates that services include housing stability support (like rent assistance) and wraparound care (such as case management, healthcare, and behavioral support), all subject to federal approval and state budget constraints.

Maddy summarySB 35 requires municipalities in Maryland to ensure that individuals appointed or employed in financial oversight roles - such as comptrollers, treasurers, or those managing municipal funds - meet specific education and experience standards starting June 30, 2030. It mandates 27 semester hours of accounting coursework (including ethics and auditing), a relevant bachelor’s degree, and 5 years of finance/accounting experience (with 3 years in a leadership role). Municipalities must also establish annual continuing education requirements for these employees, maintain public records of their qualifications, and include compliance data in the Legislative Auditor’s annual report. The bill applies to all new hires on or after July 1, 2025, with full implementation for existing roles by 2030.

Maddy summarySB 31, the "Exempt Income Protection Act," changes Maryland's wage garnishment rules to better protect debtors. It increases the amount of wages exempt from attachment by setting the exemption at the greater of: (1) 75% of disposable wages plus Social Security/disability benefits, or (2) 150% of the federal poverty level for the debtor's household size multiplied by weeks earned. Employers must now notify debtors in writing about their exemptions, how the attachment amount was calculated, and how to contest it. The bill directly affects individuals with wage garnishments (judgment debtors) and their employers, effective July 1, 2025. It replaces existing exemption calculations under Maryland's Commercial Law (Sections 15-601.1 and 15-603).

Maddy summarySB 129 requires Maryland's Commission on Health Equity (with the Department of Health) to create a Health Equity Measures Advisory Committee. This committee will identify the top 10 health disparities affecting vulnerable populations (like racial minorities, unhoused individuals, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ communities) and review annual hospital reports. Starting in 2025, all licensed hospitals in Maryland must submit annual Health Equity Reports analyzing disparities in patient outcomes and access to care, using national, state, and local data. Hospitals must publish these reports on their websites, and the Department of Health will publish them publicly online. The bill directly affects all licensed hospitals in Maryland and the Commission on Health Equity.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill updates the legal definition of practicing audiology to clarify what actions audiologists are authorized to perform. It explicitly includes the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of hearing and balance conditions, as well as the fitting and management of hearing aids, sound processors, and cochlear implants. The legislation also specifies that audiology practice covers certain ear examinations and non-surgical procedures like removing earwax or ordering medical tests. Conversely, the bill clearly states that audiology does not include performing surgery or operating X-ray equipment. These changes take effect on October 1, 2024, and aim to provide clearer guidelines for the licensure and regulation of audiologists in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new requirements for hospitals and freestanding birthing centers in Maryland to improve maternal health care. It mandates that providers complete standardized prenatal risk assessment forms during initial visits and the third trimester, as well as postpartum referral forms for high-risk pregnancies. Facilities must also provide specific information on postpartum complications and call new parents within 24 to 48 hours after discharge. To ensure compliance, the state will withhold Medical Assistance Program reimbursement from any facility that fails to follow these protocols. Additionally, the bill creates a public report card for birthing facilities and requires local health departments to submit annual reports on the number of referrals made.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law requires medical assistance programs and private health insurers to cover orthoses and prostheses starting in 2025. It defines orthoses as custom or prefabricated devices used to treat neuromuscular or musculoskeletal conditions and mandates that these devices be considered essential health benefits. The bill also sets specific rules for replacing devices, ensuring they are not subject to higher copayments or separate annual limits, and prohibits denial of coverage based on a patient's disability status. Additionally, it establishes that coverage decisions must align with federal Medicare standards and allows for replacements if repairs would cost more than 60% of a new device.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Maryland's mental health laws to improve how individuals in crisis are evaluated and treated, specifically affecting peace officers, emergency facilities, and people with severe mental illness. It allows peace officers to transport individuals to nearby emergency facilities rather than strictly the nearest one and expands the ability to evaluate patients for involuntary admission to include psychiatric nurse practitioners. Additionally, the legislation mandates that every county establish an assisted outpatient treatment program, which can legally require individuals with severe mental illness to attend treatment to prevent homelessness and repeated hospitalizations. The law also ensures that public defenders provide legal representation during these assisted outpatient proceedings and permits electronic submission of evaluation petitions.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law establishes a grant program to help reproductive health care clinics improve their physical security and safety operations. Administered by the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services, the program provides funding for specific upgrades such as better lighting, fencing, access control systems, and alarm networks. To qualify, clinics must offer legally protected reproductive health services, and the program includes strict rules to keep applicant information confidential to protect the safety of the recipients. The legislation authorizes an initial budget of $500,000 for fiscal year 2026, with up to 5% of those funds reserved for administrative costs.