Maddy summarySB 494 modifies Maryland's health care certificate of need rules by repealing an exemption that previously allowed certain hospital mergers to bypass review. It requires health care providers (including hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and hospices) to notify the Maryland Health Care Commission and the public before making "material change transactions" like major mergers or ownership shifts exceeding 25% of a facility. The bill establishes a public interest review process with specific criteria to evaluate such transactions, mandates the Commission to act on approvals or denials within a set timeframe, and updates related statutes to reflect these changes. This directly affects health care entities seeking to merge or restructure services within the state.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 386 (Lower Bills and Local Power Act of 2026) requires electric companies operating high-voltage transmission lines (over 69,000 volts) in Maryland to join a regional transmission organization. It mandates that applicants seeking permits for new transmission lines must include alternative proposals using advanced transmission technologies and compare their cost-effectiveness. The bill creates a new Solar and Energy Storage Market Stabilization Program within the Maryland Energy Administration and directs funds from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund to provide refunds or credits to residential customers. These changes aim to modernize transmission infrastructure, promote technology adoption, and reduce costs for Maryland ratepayers.
Maddy summarySB 563 adds crisis pregnancy clinics to Maryland’s definition of "health care provider" under confidentiality laws. This means these clinics must now follow the same medical record privacy rules as hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. The bill specifically covers clinics providing pregnancy-related care, including mobile facilities, even if they’re not subject to federal HIPAA rules. It applies directly to crisis pregnancy clinics operating in Maryland, requiring them to protect patient records like other healthcare providers. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
Maddy summarySB 374 exempts rental vehicles from Maryland's vehicle excise tax, directly affecting rental car companies operating in the state. The bill adds a new exemption category (Section 13-810(a)(26)) to the existing list, removing rental vehicles from the tax base that previously applied a 3.5% rate under Section 13-809(c)(1)(ii). This change eliminates the excise tax obligation for rental car companies on vehicles they lease to customers. The exemption takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not alter other tax rates or provisions.
Maddy summarySB 474 requires Maryland health insurance carriers to submit quarterly reports to the Insurance Commissioner detailing denied coverage requests (e.g., for hospital stays, procedures). If a carrier’s denials for a specific service type rise by over 10% in one year or 25% over three years, they must explain the reasons for the increase. The Commissioner can use this data to trigger examinations of carriers and must publish an annual summary report for the Governor and legislature. The bill directly affects health insurers operating in Maryland, with compliance required starting October 1, 2025. It focuses on transparency around coverage denials without specifying outcomes for patients or insurers.
Maddy summarySB 740, the "SFC Matthew Fast Act for Warrior Healthcare," requires all health care facilities in Maryland to screen every patient for military connection and document whether they are a "warrior community member" (defined as a service member, veteran, spouse, child, or stepchild of military personnel) in their medical record. Facilities must identify these patients as a vulnerable population and follow The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care equity. Starting in 2026, the state health department must annually report to the Governor and legislature on meeting the needs of military-connected patients. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, aiming to improve health care equity through standardized screening and reporting.
Maddy summarySB 981 requires Maryland hospitals to provide free medically necessary care to patients with family income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level and reduced-cost care to those between 200-500% FPL who face financial hardship (defined as medical debt exceeding 25% of family income over 12 months). It mandates a 75% reduction in patient costs for individuals earning 201-250% of the poverty level and prohibits hospitals from filing lawsuits to collect debts under a specified low threshold. The bill also extends the time before interest accrues on medical debt and adds requirements for hospitals to clearly explain financial assistance policies to patients. These changes directly affect low- and middle-income patients with hospital bills and hospitals operating in Maryland.
Maddy summarySB 547 establishes a 18-member Commission to study whether pooling public employee health insurance purchasing across Maryland's State, counties, municipalities, and school boards would save costs while maintaining benefits. The Commission includes representatives from state agencies (like Budget and Management, Insurance Commissioner), local governments (counties, cities, school boards), labor unions (AFSCME, SEIU), and healthcare experts. It will analyze existing health insurance data to assess fiscal impacts and barriers to implementing a shared purchasing system. This bill creates a study group but does not change current insurance policies or require immediate action.
Maddy summarySB 423 updates Maryland’s Medical Practice Act and Physician Assistants Act by removing outdated language, clarifying regulatory requirements, and improving consistency across laws governing healthcare professionals. It revises licensure rules, disciplinary procedures, and reporting obligations for physicians, physician assistants, and allied health professionals. The bill also adjusts disciplinary grounds, administrative penalties, and committee structures to modernize the regulatory framework without altering core practice standards. This revision primarily affects healthcare professionals seeking or maintaining licensure in Maryland.
Maddy summarySB 407 requires Maryland's State Board of Nursing to discuss reciprocity agreements with nursing boards in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The goal is to create mutual recognition of advanced practice nursing licenses (like nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists), making it easier for these nurses to practice across state lines and improving telehealth access. The Board must report annually starting November 2025 to legislative committees on progress, challenges, and needed changes. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, but does not create new licensing rules - only establishes a process for future agreements.