Sen. Antonio Hayes

Maddy summarySB 470 modifies regulations for naturopathic doctors in Maryland. It expands their scope of practice to allow prescribing certain controlled dangerous substances (previously restricted), renames the Naturopathic Doctors Formulary Council to focus specifically on controlled substances, and requires naturopathic doctors to report professional liability insurance details to the State Board of Physicians. The bill also updates license renewal requirements, adds new patient notification rules about insurance, and changes disciplinary grounds. These changes directly affect licensed naturopathic doctors practicing in Maryland under the State Board of Physicians.

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 376 allows counties to conduct nursing home inspections upon request, shifting this responsibility from the state health department. The bill requires the Maryland Department of Health and the requesting county to share the costs of these inspections equally. It does not change existing requirements for annual inspections, unannounced visits, or complaint investigations (which remain under state oversight), but instead modifies how inspections are administered by adding county delegation as an option. This directly affects nursing homes (through potential county inspections) and counties (which gain new inspection authority).

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 5 removes the sunset provision (termination date) for Maryland's State-Based Young Adult Health Insurance Subsidies Program, making it permanent. It changes the requirement for the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange to implement the program from mandatory ("shall") to discretionary ("may"), and adds a condition that the Exchange cannot proceed if specific funding isn't available. The program provides subsidies to young adults aged 18-40 with incomes between 133% and 400% of the federal poverty level to reduce their individual health insurance premiums. This bill modifies key sections of Maryland's Insurance Code to reflect these structural changes to the program's funding and implementation.

Maddy summarySB 829 extends key deadlines for Maryland’s Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program, directly affecting minority-owned businesses seeking state contracts for offshore wind projects and video lottery terminals. It pushes back the termination date for MBE program rules from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2026, and extends report deadlines by one year (e.g., requiring a report on offshore wind project compliance by September 30, 2025, instead of 2024). The bill also mandates new reports analyzing MBE program compliance with federal requirements and evaluating subgoal frameworks for capital projects. These changes ensure continued program operation while updating reporting timelines for state agencies.

Maddy summarySB 939 modifies Baltimore City's alcohol licensing rules by requiring the Board of License Commissioners to charge a $250 fee for expedited processing of temporary event licenses (Class C per diem) submitted less than two weeks before an event. It mandates new regulations for these licenses, including procedures for denial or revocation, and allows specific license types in the previously restricted 40th alcoholic beverages district under strict conditions. These include requiring memorandums of understanding with community associations, minimum investment thresholds ($200,000 for restaurants), seating requirements, and restrictions on sales timing and methods. The bill directly affects event businesses seeking temporary alcohol licenses and the Board, which gains new regulatory authority. It applies solely to Baltimore City under Maryland law.

Maddy summarySB 372, the Preserve Telehealth Access Act of 2025, permanently extends current rules allowing audio-only telephone calls to count as "telehealth" for reimbursement purposes under Maryland's Medicaid program and private insurers. The bill repeals the June 30, 2025, expiration date for this provision in Maryland law, making it permanent. It directly affects the Maryland Medical Assistance Program, private health insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) that cover telehealth services. The key change is ensuring these entities must continue reimbursing for audio-only telehealth visits at the same rate as in-person care, without requiring video technology, for covered health services.

Maddy summaryThis bill renames Maryland's Chesapeake Conservation Corps Program to honor former Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. It updates the program's official name throughout state law to "Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps Program" without changing the program's structure, funding, or operations. The renaming applies to all references in Maryland's Natural Resources and State Government codes, including funding provisions and program administration details. The program - administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust and focused on environmental conservation projects - remains unchanged in its purpose and implementation.

Maddy summarySB 830 modifies Maryland's workers' compensation claims process by changing who claimants must authorize to release medical and financial information. It requires claimants to authorize the release of such information to their attorney, the Uninsured Employers’ Fund, the Subsequent Injury Fund, their employer, and the employer’s insurer. The bill clarifies that this authorization covers medical history, records, additional claims filed, and information held by the Commission, and it remains valid for one year from the claim filing date. This change affects workers filing claims and their representatives, streamlining information sharing for claims processing. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025.