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Maryland Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress

All 26,430 Active 0 In committee 1,368 Passed 3,332 Signed 7,901 Failed 2,336

died · Maryland · Senate Mar 17, 2025

SB 919: Health Occupations – Practice of Audiology – Definition

SB 919 clarifies the scope of practice for audiologists in Maryland by updating the legal definition of "practice audiology." It explicitly includes ordering and performing nonradiographic scans and imaging of the ear canal for diagnosing auditory or vestibular conditions, while excluding surgeries and radiographic imaging. This directly affects licensed audiologists in Maryland by expanding their permitted procedures for ear-related diagnoses. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and focuses on defining professional boundaries without altering other healthcare regulations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 15, 2025

HB 884: Public Health - Sale of Diet Pills to Minors - Prohibition

HB 884 prohibits the sale of diet pills to individuals under 18 without a prescription or parental accompaniment. It defines "diet pills" broadly to include over-the-counter supplements marketed for weight loss or muscle building (like those containing creatine or green tea extract), excluding basic protein products. Retailers must restrict access behind counters or locked cases, verify age for minors attempting purchases, and online sellers must require signature verification with government ID from someone 18+ at delivery. Violations carry a $750 civil penalty per incident, applying to both physical stores and online sellers.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 15, 2025

HB 1220: Human Remains - Transportation Protection Agreements

HB 1220 defines "transportation protection agreements" as contracts primarily coordinating preparation and transportation of human remains, hydrolyzed remains, or soil remains. It explicitly excludes these agreements from being classified as "preneed burial contracts" under Maryland's Cemetery Act or "pre-need contracts" under the Morticians and Funeral Directors Act. The bill clarifies that such agreements are not insurance and are exempt from insurance regulations. This affects funeral service providers and consumers who use these transportation-focused agreements instead of full pre-need burial services. The law removes regulatory overlap by ensuring these agreements fall outside existing contract and insurance oversight frameworks.

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 15, 2025

HB 405: Prince George's County - Hospitals - Sale of Patient Debt PG 402-25

HB 405 allows hospitals in Prince George’s County to sell unpaid medical debt to the county **solely for the purpose of canceling the debt**, directly affecting uninsured or low-income patients with outstanding hospital bills. The bill amends Maryland’s health code to permit this debt sale only if the contract explicitly states cancellation is the sole purpose, and patients are then fully relieved of all debt, interest, and fees. Hospitals must notify patients when debt is canceled, and the county’s payment to hospitals counts as an offset against the hospital’s required uncompensated care reporting. This policy change replaces prior restrictions on selling debt and adds transparency requirements, including annual public reports on debt collection practices by hospital.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 15, 2025

HB 918: Estates and Trusts - Registers of Wills - Salary

HB 918 changes how county Registers of Wills are paid in Maryland. It removes an outdated $12,000 minimum salary for Baltimore City's Register and replaces the previous $146,500 salary cap with a new rule tying their pay to the state's Grade 26, Step 20 salary scale for public employees. Salaries will now be set annually by the Board of Public Works based on county population, office fees, and workload, with changes applying only to new terms - not current holders. This directly affects all county Registers of Wills, who manage wills and estate records.

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 15, 2025

HB 572: Public Health - Opioid Overdose Reversal Drugs

HB 572 requires health care providers issuing standing orders for opioid overdose reversal drugs to let patients choose any FDA-approved type of these drugs. It directly affects patients at risk of opioid overdose and the health care providers, clinics, or community organizations that prescribe or dispense these drugs. The bill prohibits entities from being forced to stock or dispense all FDA-approved reversal drug types, instead allowing them to offer available options. This law amends Maryland's health code to clarify patient choice and reduce administrative burdens on providers.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 15, 2025

HB 1341: Health Insurance - Appeals and Adverse Decisions - Call Centers, Notification Requirements, and Required Survey

HB 1341 requires health insurance carriers in Maryland to establish a 24-hour call center staffed by trained personnel for members appealing denied coverage. It mandates that carriers send detailed written notices within 5 business days for any adverse decision, including specific reasons for denial, clear references to coverage criteria, and contact information for the Health Advocacy Unit. The notice must prominently display "THIS IS AN INSURANCE DENIAL" in bold, include a QR code linking to a guidance video, and provide the call center phone number. Additionally, carriers must conduct an annual survey on member experiences with their internal grievance process. These requirements directly affect health insurance carriers and aim to improve clarity and accessibility for members navigating coverage appeals.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 14, 2025

HB 1392: Vehicle Laws - Cannabis Use in Motor Vehicle With Minor Occupant - Prohibition

HB 1392 prohibits smoking, vaping, or consuming cannabis in the passenger area of a motor vehicle when a minor (under 18) is present. It directly affects drivers transporting minors, making it a misdemeanor offense punishable by up to one year in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. The bill amends Maryland’s transportation code to add Section 21-903.1, explicitly defining the prohibited conduct and penalties. The law takes effect on October 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 14, 2025

HB 1234: Montgomery County - Prohibited Restrictions on Use - Accessory Dwelling Units MC 2-25

HB 1234 prohibits Montgomery County property restrictions that block accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - secondary homes on the same lot as a primary residence. It declares any existing deed covenant, HOA rule, or similar restriction banning ADUs void and unenforceable, applying retroactively to all past restrictions. The law directly affects Montgomery County homeowners and HOAs with such prohibitions, allowing them to build ADUs under existing state law without legal barriers. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, and does not create new ADU requirements or funding.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 13, 2025

HB 418: Health Maintenance Organizations - Payments to Nonparticipating Providers - Reimbursement Rate

HB 418 sets minimum payment rates that health maintenance organizations (HMOs) must pay non-contracted healthcare providers (like doctors or hospitals not under formal agreement with the HMO) for services provided to HMO enrollees. It requires HMOs to pay trauma physicians treating trauma patients at least 140% of the Medicare rate for similar services, or the 2001 rate adjusted for inflation. For other providers, HMOs must pay at least 125% of the rate they paid contracted providers in 2019 (adjusted by the Medicare Economic Index), or 140% of the 2008 Medicare rate (also adjusted). All payments must be made within 30 days of receiving a claim.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 13, 2025

HB 1495: Health Insurance - Screening for Ovarian Cancer - Required Coverage and Prohibited Cost Sharing

HB 1495 requires health insurers and plans in Maryland to cover preventive ovarian cancer screenings - including MRI and CT scans - for individuals aged 45 and older, with no out-of-pocket costs like copays or deductibles. It applies to all health insurance policies issued in Maryland, except for those under high-deductible health plans (HDHPs), which may still require the deductible to apply for these screenings. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026, ensuring coverage without cost-sharing for eligible individuals. This directly affects health insurers, plans, and people over 45 seeking ovarian cancer screenings.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 13, 2025

HB 828: Health Care Facilities - Rights of Comprehensive and Extended Care Facility Residents - Hospice Comfort Care

HB 828 modifies Maryland law to allow comprehensive and extended care facilities to use specific physical restraints (like bed rails or geri chairs) and certain medications (sedatives or anti-anxiety drugs) for residents receiving hospice care, under a prescriber's order. This exception applies only to hospice patients and overrides the general prohibition against such restraints for other residents. The bill amends existing law (Section 19-343(b)(viii) of the Maryland Health Code) to explicitly permit these measures when authorized for hospice care. It directly affects hospice patients in care facilities and their providers, ensuring these tools can be used for comfort during end-of-life care. The change takes effect October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare