SB 458 Maryland Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Health Occupations - Implicit Bias and Structural Racism Training

SB 458 requires health professionals (such as doctors, nurses, and pharmacists) renewing certain licenses in Maryland to attest that they completed an approved training program covering **both implicit bias and structural racism**, rather than just implicit bias. The bill amends existing law to mandate this dual focus, defining "structural racism" as systemic barriers affecting health access based on race. Approved training programs must be designated by the Cultural and Linguistic Health Care Professional Competency Program, with the requirement applying to first license renewals after April 1, 2026. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, with a transition period allowing use of the older implicit bias-only training for renewals before April 2026.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 22, 2025 Last action Apr 5, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Health Occupations - Structural Racism Training → Third - Health Occupations - Implicit Bias and Structural Racism Training · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand its focus from structural racism training to include both implicit bias and structural racism training. The changes add new definitions for structural racism, allow health occupations boards to grant continuing education credits for completing the training, and update the accreditation requirements to include pharmacy education councils.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly covers both implicit bias and structural racism training programs, broadening the scope beyond just structural racism training.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'STRUCTURAL RACISM' that includes the totality of ways societies foster racial discrimination through mutually reinforcing systems of housing, education, employment, earnings, benefits, credit, media, health care, and criminal justice.

REQUIREMENT

Added authority for health occupations boards to adopt regulations allowing applicants to receive continuing education credits for completing the implicit bias and structural racism training program.

Modified the Program's approval criteria to include recognition by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education in addition to existing accreditation bodies.

Changed the training program requirements from requiring only implicit bias training to requiring both implicit bias and structural racism training programs.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 19, 2025

How they voted

29–12

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 46

Mar 19, 2025

D Democratic33

29 Yea 4

87% Yea

R Republican13

12 Nay 1

92% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 5, 2025

Committee

Referred Rules and Executive Nominations

lower

Apr 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Apr 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

upper

Mar 19, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (29-12-5)

senate

Jan 22, 2025

Committee

First Reading Finance

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors