Office of Health Care Quality Stakeholder Advisory Council - Establishment

HB 965 establishes the Office of Health Care Quality Stakeholder Advisory Council to improve oversight of health care facilities in Maryland. The council, composed of 15 members including legislative appointees, frontline workers, facility residents, advocacy groups, and industry representatives, provides feedback to the Office of Health Care Quality and notifies the Secretary of Health if oversight is deemed negligent. Key mechanisms include biannual public meetings (with live streaming and public comment), annual data reporting on facility inspections and complaints, and a requirement for the council to compile feedback and recommendations into an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly starting in 2027. This bill directly affects the Office of Health Care Quality, health care facilities, and stakeholders by adding structured accountability to oversight processes.