Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 31, 2026

SB 898: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Behavior Technicians - Reimbursement

SB 898 requires Maryland’s Medical Assistance Program to reimburse applied behavior analysis (ABA) services provided by registered behavior technicians (RBTs) to Medicaid recipients diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The bill prohibits the state health department from mandating a specific certification (e.g., from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board) as a condition for reimbursement, except for a 150-day transition period during which RBTs must obtain certification. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries with autism and RBTs who deliver ABA services under supervision of certified professionals, streamlining access to care without immediate certification barriers. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies prospectively only.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires Medicaid reimbursement for ABA therapy via RBTs, expanding autism treatment access without restrictive certification mandates.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 31, 2026

HB 1434: Maryland Department of Health - Caregiver Resource Webpage - Establishment

HB 1434 requires the Maryland Department of Health to create and maintain a centralized online resource hub for caregivers. The webpage must provide plain-language information and links to support caregivers of children with disabilities, adults with chronic illness or disabilities, and older adults (including those with dementia), covering topics like wellness, financial assistance programs, safety planning, and privacy considerations. The Department must coordinate with agencies like the Department of Education and Department of Aging, update the site annually, and ensure it’s prominently displayed on the Health Department’s website.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes centralized resource hub for caregivers of vulnerable populations, improving access to health-related information and support services per bill's requirements.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 31, 2026

SB 496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - Authorization

SB 496 would authorize Maryland's Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid) to cover comprehensive obesity treatment starting January 1, 2027. This includes intensive behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved weight management medications for eligible Medicaid recipients. The bill requires the Department of Health to notify program recipients if it chooses to implement this coverage and mandates a report to legislative committees by November 2027 on whether coverage has begun. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, but coverage for obesity treatment becomes available the following year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands Medicaid coverage requiring state budget allocation for essential healthcare services, aligning with funding public programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage for obesity treatment including behavioral therapy and surgery, improving patient access to comprehensive care under healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 532: Higher Education Institutions - Over-the-Counter Contraception - Access and Reporting

SB 532 requires Maryland public senior colleges (like University System institutions) and community colleges to provide students with access to all over-the-counter contraception methods (such as condoms or emergency contraception) on campus through health centers, retail stores, or vending machines. Starting September 1, 2026, these institutions must submit annual reports to the Maryland Higher Education Commission detailing how access is provided, whether all methods are available, quantities distributed, and student consultation efforts. The Commission then reports this aggregated data to the Maryland General Assembly annually by October 1. The bill applies specifically to community colleges and public senior institutions (excluding specialized units like the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science), effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates campus access to over-the-counter contraception (a health service), improving student access to healthcare without restrictions. Directly advances healthcare access via health centers and reporting requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1087: Health Care Facilities - Surgical Smoke - Smoke Evacuation Systems

HB 1087 requires Maryland health care facilities performing surgeries that generate surgical smoke (like hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and freestanding medical facilities) to adopt policies mandating the use of smoke evacuation systems by January 1, 2028. These systems must capture and filter harmful surgical smoke particles at the source before they reach medical staff or patients. The bill defines "surgical smoke" as the gaseous byproducts from energy-generating surgical tools, including bio-aerosols and lung-damaging particles. This policy change aims to protect health care workers and patients from exposure to potentially hazardous smoke during procedures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates smoke evacuation systems in surgical facilities to protect staff/patients from harmful surgical smoke, directly advancing healthcare safety standards.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates smoke evacuation systems to protect medical staff from hazardous surgical smoke, directly improving workplace safety for healthcare workers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 794: Health Insurance - Special Enrollment Period for Pregnancy - Coverage Effective Date

SB 794 creates a special enrollment period for pregnancy in Maryland health insurance. It allows individuals who become pregnant (confirmed by a healthcare provider) to choose whether their coverage starts on the first day of the month they receive pregnancy confirmation or the first day of the following month. If they don’t select a date, the insurance company must choose one of these two options. This applies to both marketplace and non-marketplace health plans and takes effect January 1, 2027. The bill directly affects pregnant individuals and parents enrolling dependents during this 90-day special enrollment period.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates flexible health insurance enrollment for pregnancy, improving access to coverage without waiting for next month's start date.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 809: Supporting Our Caregiver Infrastructure Program - Feasibility Study

This bill requires Maryland's Office of the Comptroller, with assistance from the Department of Human Services, to conduct a feasibility study on creating a program that would provide monthly payments to caregivers of specific family members. The study will examine economic impacts like potential increases in workforce participation, tax revenue, and reduced reliance on public benefits, while also identifying funding sources and administrative costs. It must be completed by July 1, 2027, and reported to relevant legislative committees. The bill does not establish the program itself but sets the groundwork for evaluating its potential. This study directly affects state agencies responsible for conducting the analysis, with no direct impact on caregivers or families until a future decision to implement the program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill initiates feasibility study for caregiver payments, aiming to improve healthcare infrastructure access and reduce public benefit reliance, aligning with support indicators like strengthening caregiver support systems.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates feasibility study examining how caregiver payments could increase workforce participation and reduce public benefit reliance, directly addressing labor market impacts.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 892: Health Occupations, Public Health, and Insurance - Menopause - Provider Training Coverage Requirements, Policy Initiatives, and Access to Care

SB 892 modifies Maryland's State Advisory Council on Health and Wellness to include a member with expertise in perimenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal care. It requires health occupations boards (like those for nurses or doctors) to grant at least two continuing education credits for every hour of training on these conditions, directly affecting healthcare professionals renewing their licenses. The bill also mandates the Maryland Health Care Commission, Commission for Women, and Department of Health to take specific actions related to these health conditions. These changes aim to improve provider knowledge and care for women experiencing these common health transitions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates continuing education credits for healthcare professionals on menopausal care, enhancing provider expertise and patient access to specialized treatment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 813: Health Insurance and Dental Plan Organizations - Dentists - Assignment of Benefits and Reimbursement of Nonpreferred Providers

SB 813 prohibits dental insurers and plan organizations from blocking direct payments to dentists (nonpreferred providers) when patients assign benefits to them, instead of paying patients who then pay dentists. It requires dentists to provide patients with clear cost disclosures - including potential balance billing - before services and submit a disclosure form to insurers. The bill applies specifically to dental care under Maryland law, amending sections 14-205.3 and adding 14-410.1 to the Insurance Article. Insurers may refuse direct payment only in limited cases, such as if a patient paid the dentist upfront or withdrew assignment after payment. This aims to simplify reimbursement for dental patients and dentists outside insurance networks.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurer barriers to direct dentist payments and mandates cost disclosures, enhancing patient access and transparency in dental insurance coverage.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 839: Medical Assistance Programs - Drug Dispensing - Cost-of-Dispensing Survey

SB 839 requires Maryland's Department of Health to conduct a survey of pharmacy dispensing costs in the state every three years starting in 2026. Within six months after each survey, the Department must establish a fee charged to pharmacies for dispensing drugs under the state's Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid). This fee will be based directly on the survey results, aiming to reflect actual dispensing costs. The bill applies specifically to pharmacies participating in Maryland's Medicaid program and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures Medicaid pharmacy fees reflect actual dispensing costs, preventing underfunding that could reduce pharmacy participation and access to care.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare