Health Care Malpractice Claims - Health Care Provider - Definition

HB 926 amends Maryland law to expand the definition of "health care provider" in malpractice claims. It specifically adds "an employee, agent, or contractor of a hospital who is licensed, certified, registered, or otherwise authorized to render health care services in Maryland" to the existing list of covered entities. This change directly affects hospital staff (like nurses or technicians working under contract) who would now be individually liable in malpractice lawsuits, not just the hospital itself. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, and does not alter other aspects of malpractice law.