Maddy summaryThis bill repeals the mandatory education and experience requirements for licensing insurance producers in Maryland, affecting those who sell property, casualty, life, health, annuity, and limited lines insurance. By removing these specific criteria, the legislation eliminates the need for applicants to complete state-approved study programs or demonstrate a year of prior work in the insurance industry before obtaining a license. The changes also remove exemptions for certain professional designations that previously allowed individuals to bypass standard testing and training mandates. Consequently, the state will rely primarily on character and trustworthiness standards, age requirements, and prohibitions against past misconduct to regulate who can sell insurance.
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Maddy summaryMaryland Senate Bill 791 updates health insurance rules to improve how prior authorizations are handled and to provide patients with clearer cost information. The law requires insurance companies to create online systems by 2026 that allow doctors to submit and receive decisions on drug approvals electronically, while also displaying real-time out-of-pocket costs and cheaper medication options. Healthcare providers must integrate these tools into their existing software by the same deadline, and insurers cannot charge fees for using this digital process. Additionally, the bill prohibits prior authorization requirements for specific medications used to treat opioid use disorder, ensuring faster access to these treatments.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maryland circuit court clerks to maintain and index discharge papers for anyone who has served in the U.S. armed forces, allowing them to be recorded in either a physical book or an electronic system. The legislation explicitly prohibits clerks from charging fees to record or index these military records and confirms that the records or certified copies are admissible as evidence in state and federal courts. While access to the records is restricted to parties in legal proceedings, attorneys, and the individuals themselves, relatives may request inspection or certified copies if at least 70 years have passed since the discharge was recorded and the social security number has been redacted. These changes take effect on October 1, 2024, updating how military service documentation is managed and accessed within Maryland's court system.
Maddy summarySB 59, known as the Safe Sleep Act of 2024, requires Maryland hospitals and birthing centers to educate parents on safe infant sleep practices before discharge and to obtain written confirmation that this education occurred. The law mandates that healthcare facilities provide both oral and written resources explaining how to create a safe sleep environment, which includes using a firm mattress, avoiding soft bedding, and keeping the baby in a smoke-free area. Additionally, the bill establishes the Maryland Safe Sleep Certification Program, which will require all child care centers to be certified to ensure they follow these safety guidelines. To support these efforts, the state health department must launch a public awareness campaign and create a list of local resources that help families purchase necessary items like safe sleep sacks.