Healthcare

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 1426: Clinical Research Pharmacies and Clinical Trials - Permits and Ownership

HB 1426 creates a new permit for clinical research pharmacies in Maryland, which are facilities specifically designed to conduct clinical trials. It allows healthcare providers to own these pharmacies under strict conditions, including requiring a licensed pharmacist to be on-site during all operating hours and prohibiting owners from receiving payment for patient referrals. The bill also exempts clinical trials conducted by corporations or entities from being classified as "practice of medicine," meaning trial staff no longer need individual medical licenses for their trial-related work. This change aims to streamline clinical research by removing a regulatory barrier that previously required individual licensing for trial staff.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables clinical trials via new pharmacy permits, promoting medical research and patient access to innovative treatments without restricting coverage.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 222: County Boards of Education - Opioid Overdose-Reversing Medications - Policy Requirements (Naloxone Access Act)

HB 222 requires Maryland public schools and colleges to update policies and education programs to address opioid overdoses. It mandates schools to store naloxone, allow authorized staff and students to possess it, and provide liability protection for good-faith use during overdoses. The bill also adds naloxone's life-saving role to K-12 drug prevention curricula (starting in third grade) and requires annual parent notifications about school naloxone policies. Additionally, schools must report overdose incidents requiring naloxone use to the State Department. This affects all public K-12 schools and state-funded colleges.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates inclusion of naloxone education in K-12 curricula (starting 3rd grade) and updates school policies, enhancing health education programs within educational framework.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates naloxone access in schools for opioid overdose response, enhancing public health access and life-saving measures95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 494: Health Insurance - Primary Care Investment Targets - Reimbursement and Reporting

HB 494 requires health insurance companies, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) operating in Maryland to structure their reimbursements to primary care providers in a way that meets annual investment targets set by the state. Starting February 1, 2026, these entities must report their progress toward meeting these targets when filing new or updated premium rates with the Maryland Insurance Commissioner. The bill amends insurance code sections to mandate this reporting requirement as part of premium rate filings. It takes effect October 1, 2026, focusing on transparency and accountability for primary care funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates higher insurer reimbursements for primary care to meet state investment targets, improving provider access and funding for essential health services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 348: Hospitals and Freestanding Birthing Centers - High-Risk Pregnancies - Communication After Discharge

SB 348 requires hospitals and freestanding birthing centers in Maryland to provide specific postpartum support to individuals who have experienced high-risk pregnancies. It mandates that facilities complete referral forms for local health departments, provide resources about postpartum complications (including cardiovascular conditions, chronic disease, substance misuse, and mental health), and call birthing parents 24 to 72 hours after discharge to assess their status. The bill also requires annual reports from health departments detailing referrals made through this process. These provisions apply to all facilities delivering newborns following high-risk pregnancies and take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates postpartum support, mental health resources, and follow-up calls for high-risk pregnancies - expands patient access and protection in healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 598: Physicians - Licensing - Internationally Trained Physicians and Licensed Physicians Residing in Other Jurisdictions

HB 598 creates a temporary license for internationally trained physicians to practice medicine in Maryland under specific conditions. It allows the State Board of Physicians to issue a 3-year license (non-renewable) to doctors who hold a WHO-recognized medical degree outside the U.S., completed 2 years of equivalent postgraduate training, practiced medicine for 5 of the last 7 years abroad, passed U.S. medical exams (USMLE Steps 1-3), and meet other criteria like English proficiency and Maryland residency. The license requires physicians to pursue full licensure through board-established pathways after the temporary period ends. This directly affects internationally trained doctors seeking to work in Maryland’s healthcare system, providing a structured but limited pathway to practice.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates temporary licensing pathway for internationally trained physicians, expanding provider access and addressing healthcare workforce shortages in Maryland.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill enables internationally trained physicians (often immigrants) to practice medicine in Maryland, facilitating professional integration and providing healthcare services to immigrant communities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 417: Criminal Law - Schedule III Controlled Dangerous Substances - Medetomidine and Xylazine

HB 417 (Public Health - Medetomidine and Xylazine Consumer Protection Act) regulates the sale of veterinary drugs medetomidine and xylazine. It prohibits retailers from selling these products without proof the buyer intends to use them for veterinary, scientific, or institutional purposes, and bans sales to anyone under 21. Retailers must maintain records of sales, including age verification and proof of intended use. Violations carry civil fines up to $6,500 per offense, with penalties deposited into Maryland's Substance Abuse Fund. The bill directly affects pharmacies, veterinary suppliers, and online retailers selling these specific products.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill regulates sale of veterinary drugs used in fentanyl/xylazine mixtures, aiming to reduce drug availability and harm, supporting public safety and criminal justice reform efforts.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates veterinary drug sales to prevent human misuse, directly protecting public health through consumer safety measures under the bill's title and summary.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 633: Health Insurance - Ovarian Cancer Prevention With Salpingectomy - Required Coverage

HB 633 requires Maryland health insurers, nonprofit health plans, and health maintenance organizations to cover salpingectomy (surgical removal of fallopian tubes) as a preventive measure for ovarian cancer. It prohibits these insurers from charging copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles for this specific procedure, ensuring no out-of-pocket costs for covered individuals. The exception applies only to high-deductible health plans under federal law, allowing the deductible to apply to the procedure in those cases. This law directly affects women eligible for preventive care and the health insurance providers operating in Maryland.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates full insurance coverage for ovarian cancer prevention salpingectomy, prohibiting cost-sharing to improve access and patient rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 489: Health Occupations - Physicians Trained in Foreign Countries - Exemption From Educational Requirements and Limited License

SB 489 modifies Maryland's licensing rules for physicians trained at international medical schools. It exempts applicants who provide evidence of completing two years of postgraduate training accredited by ACGME-I or another board-recognized body from standard educational requirements. These physicians would be permitted to practice medicine only during their initial license term under mandatory supervision, as specified by the Board. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, directly affecting international medical graduates meeting these specific training criteria.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts international medical graduates from standard licensing requirements, enabling supervised practice to expand physician access and address healthcare workforce shortages.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 515: Health Services Cost Review Commission - Health Facilities - Rate Setting

SB 515 requires Maryland's Health Services Cost Review Commission to consider all operational costs incurred by health facilities - including expenses for physicians and other providers without corresponding billing revenue - when setting hospital rates. This affects hospitals and health facilities operating under Maryland's all-payer model, as the Commission must now factor in full costs during rate reviews. The bill amends existing law to mandate that the Commission evaluate facility financial health and certify rates based on complete cost accounting, rather than excluding certain expenses. This change ensures rates more accurately reflect actual facility operations, including costs for professional services that previously weren't fully counted.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Commission to include all operational costs (including physician expenses) in hospital rate setting, ensuring facilities cover full costs without service reductions, strengthening sustainable healthcare funding under Maryland's all-payer ...85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 9, 2026

HB 813: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - Authorization

HB 813 authorizes Maryland's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) to cover comprehensive obesity treatment, including intensive behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved weight management medications, starting January 1, 2027. The bill requires the Maryland Department of Health to notify Medicaid recipients if it chooses to provide this coverage and mandates a report to the legislature by November 1, 2027, on implementation progress. This directly affects Medicaid recipients with obesity by expanding covered treatments beyond current scope. The program may use standard utilization management processes (like for other conditions) to assess medical necessity but is not required to offer the coverage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes Medicaid expansion for obesity treatment, requiring state budget allocation for new coverage starting 2027, aligning with funding essential health programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill authorizes Medicaid coverage for obesity treatment (behavioral therapy, surgery, medications), expanding healthcare access and funding for a critical health condition.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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