HB 1068 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Health Insurance - Special Enrollment Period for Newly Hired Employees of Small Businesses

HB 1068 requires health insurance carriers in Maryland to provide a 60-day special enrollment period for individuals who become newly hired by small businesses that do not offer employer-sponsored health plans. This applies to people purchasing coverage through the state’s health insurance marketplace (Individual Exchange) or outside it. The special enrollment period begins on the first day of employment and allows new hires to enroll in health insurance without waiting for the standard open enrollment period. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, directly benefiting newly employed workers at small businesses without health benefits.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 10, 2026 Last action Mar 18, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - Health Insurance - Special Enrollment Period for Newly Hired Employees of Small Businesses → Third - Health Insurance - Special Enrollment Period for Newly Hired Employees of Small Businesses · 5 edits

MODERATE

HB 1068 was amended to expand eligibility for special enrollment periods in health insurance by adding dependents to the list of individuals who qualify when hired by small employers without health plans. The bill also added new definitions for key terms and modified the effective date of coverage for certain enrollment periods. These changes aim to provide more comprehensive coverage options for newly hired employees and their families.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly includes dependents of newly hired employees in addition to the employees themselves when determining eligibility for special enrollment periods.

ELIGIBILITY

Added dependents of newly hired employees to the eligibility criteria for special enrollment periods, not just the employees themselves.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'Dependent', 'Employer-Sponsored Health Benefit Plan', 'Health Care Practitioner', and 'Qualifying Coverage in an Eligible Employer-Sponsored Plan'.

REQUIREMENT

Modified the requirements for special enrollment periods to include specific forms that employers must complete and provide to carriers and exchanges.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of coverage for certain enrollment periods from the month of pregnancy confirmation to the first day of the month following plan selection.

TECHNICAL

Removed the original bill title and introductory language, replacing it with a chapter designation and updated sponsor information.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Feb 27, 2026

How they voted

120–15

Passed · 7 other

Total votes 142

Feb 27, 2026

D Democratic103

98 Yea 5

95% Yea

R Republican39

22 Yea 15 Nay 2

56% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred Finance

upper

Mar 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Health

lower

Feb 27, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (120-15-7)

house of delegates

Feb 10, 2026

Committee

First Reading Health

lower

16 primary · 0 co-sponsors