SB 272 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Health Insurance - Scalp Cooling Systems - Required Coverage

SB 272 requires health insurance plans that cover chemotherapy for cancer treatment to also cover scalp cooling systems. These systems are devices designed to prevent or reduce hair loss during chemotherapy by cooling the scalp. The law applies to insurers, nonprofit health service plans, health maintenance organizations, and managed care organizations offering such coverage in Maryland. It takes effect for all policies issued, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 19, 2026 Signed Apr 14, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - Health Insurance - Scalp Cooling Systems - Required Coverage → Third - Health Insurance - Scalp Cooling Systems - Required Coverage · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to include a committee report indicating favorable action and Senate adoption. The text was reorganized to integrate the definition of a 'scalp cooling system' directly into the main section rather than as a separate subsection, and the explanatory notes were updated to clarify that underlining indicates amendments. The substantive policy requirements regarding insurance coverage for hair loss prevention during chemotherapy and the effective date of January 1, 2027, remain unchanged.

TECHNICAL

Added a committee report stating the bill was favorably reported and adopted by the Senate.

Reorganized the bill structure by moving the definition of 'scalp cooling system' into the main text and adding explanatory notes about formatting symbols.

Updated the header to reflect the bill number as HB 393 instead of CF 6lr1325.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 14, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 17, 2026

How they voted

45–0

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 49

Feb 14, 2026

D Democratic36

33 Yea 3

91% Yea

R Republican13

12 Yea 1

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 14, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 51

executive

Apr 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Returned Passed

upper

Apr 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 1, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Apr 1, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Health

lower

Mar 17, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (127-6-9)

house of delegates

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Referred Health

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted

upper

Feb 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Finance

upper

Feb 14, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (45-0-4)

senate

Jan 19, 2026

Committee

First Reading Finance

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors