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 No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1249: Certified Recovery Residences - Refusing Services to Individuals Receiving Medication-Assisted Treatment - Prohibition

HB 1249 prohibits certified recovery residences in Maryland from refusing services to individuals receiving medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder or requiring them to stop or change their MAT as a condition for housing. The bill amends certification standards for recovery residences (which provide non-clinical housing for people with substance use disorders) to ensure credentialing entities cannot allow such discrimination. It directly affects certified recovery residences and individuals using MAT for opioid addiction, requiring certification rules to explicitly ban these practices. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies only to opioid use disorder treatment under MAT.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits discrimination against MAT users in recovery housing, ensuring access to substance use treatment services and protecting patient rights in healthcare access.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits discrimination against MAT users in recovery residences, protecting tenant rights and ensuring housing access for vulnerable populations in housing settings.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1280: Supporting Our Caregiver Infrastructure Program - Feasibility Study

HB 1280 directs Maryland's Comptroller to study whether a program providing monthly payments to caregivers for specific family members would be feasible. The study must examine economic impacts like potential job growth, increased tax revenue, and reduced public benefits use, while assessing costs and funding options. It requires collaboration with the Department of Human Services and agencies like the Department of Aging, with a final report due by July 1, 2027. The bill expires June 30, 2028, and does not create the program itself.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill studies potential tax revenue increases and reduced public benefits use, aligning with fiscal responsibility indicators for budget/taxes.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFeasibility study for caregiver payments aims to enhance healthcare infrastructure access through potential program implementation, aligning with support indicators like improved patient access and caregiver support.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill studies caregiver payments program to assess economic benefits including job growth and reduced public benefits, aligning with expanding worker benefits in labor policy.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1076: Higher Education Institutions - Over-the-Counter Contraception - Access and Reporting

HB 1076 requires all public senior higher education institutions (like University System of Maryland schools) and community colleges in Maryland to annually report on student access to over-the-counter contraception to the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Community colleges must provide students with access to all FDA-approved over-the-counter contraception methods through campus health centers, retail locations, vending machines, or other accessible campus channels. Institutions must submit reports detailing access methods, availability, and student consultation, with the Commission then reporting aggregated data to the General Assembly each year. This bill directly affects campus health services and student access at public colleges, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates campus access to contraception via health centers, expanding student healthcare access to reproductive services, aligning with healthcare access indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1540: University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center - Funding - Repeal of Termination Date

HB 1540 repeals the 2028 termination date for annual state funding required for the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center. The bill ensures the state will continue appropriating $10 million each fiscal year (previously set to end in 2028) to support the center's operations and transition. This directly affects the University of Maryland Medical System Corporation and Prince George's County, which must provide matching funds totaling $208 million for capital construction. The funding is specifically designated to maintain the medical center's financial viability, improve healthcare access, and prevent operating losses. The change removes the fixed end date, making the funding permanent unless future legislation alters it.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals 2028 termination date for $10M annual state funding, ensuring continued budget allocation for medical center operations and transition.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepeals 2028 termination date for $10M annual state funding to support medical center operations and transition, directly advancing healthcare funding for a public medical institution.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 587: Maryland Patient Safety Center Fund - Funding

SB 587 requires the Governor to include a mandatory $1 million annual appropriation for the Maryland Patient Safety Center Fund in the state budget, starting with fiscal year 2027. This fund subsidizes the designated Patient Safety Center’s costs to develop statewide patient safety initiatives, reduce preventable harm, and improve equitable healthcare. The Center must coordinate with healthcare providers and patients, and the Commission administers the nonlapsing fund, which includes interest earnings and must be reported to legislative committees annually. The bill directly affects the Center, the Governor, and the Commission, ensuring consistent funding for patient safety efforts without replacing other state appropriations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates $1M annual appropriation for patient safety center, increasing state budget funding for public health initiatives.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates $1M annual funding for patient safety initiatives to reduce harm and improve equitable healthcare access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 530: Aging-in-Place Programs - Grants - Multigenerational Third Places (Village Multigenerational Third Places Act)

SB 530 creates a new grant program for the Maryland Department of Aging to fund nonprofit organizations and area agencies on aging. It specifically provides grants to support social connection for seniors in aging-in-place programs through events at "multigenerational third places" - community spaces (not homes or workplaces) where people of different ages gather. The bill requires nonprofits to match grant funds and sets aside at least 20% of the annual $100,000 minimum appropriation for senior villages (member-driven community organizations supporting aging in place). The grants cover operational costs for these community spaces, including lease or rental expenses, to help seniors stay connected in their neighborhoods.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates $100k annual appropriation for senior grant program, directly funding a public service initiative through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds community programs enhancing senior social connection, a public health initiative linked to mental health and aging services through nonprofit grants.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare