Healthcare

HB 1068 requires health insurance carriers in Maryland to provide a 60-day special enrollment period for individuals who become newly hired by small businesses that do not offer employer-sponsored health plans. This applies to people purchasing coverage through the state’s health insurance marketplace (Individual Exchange) or outside it. The special enrollment period begins on the first day of employment and allows new hires to enroll in health insurance without waiting for the standard open enrollment period. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, directly benefiting newly employed workers at small businesses without health benefits.

HB 599 requires hospitals seeking a new license or undergoing ownership changes after October 1, 2026, to be federally recognized nonprofit organizations registered with the state. Specifically, it mandates that hospitals qualifying for licensure on or after that date must operate as nonprofits under federal law and maintain that status as a condition of their license. The bill also prohibits transferring ownership of any licensed hospital after October 1, 2026, to any entity other than another nonprofit organization. This directly affects hospitals seeking new licenses, renewing licenses, or changing ownership in Maryland after the effective date.

This bill requires Maryland colleges and universities to provide reasonable accommodations to students with sickle cell disease and prohibits denying them access to facilities or services based on their diagnosis. It mandates the Maryland Department of Health to create an education campaign for campus staff, develop guidelines for supporting students with sickle cell disease, and compile training materials for faculty and administrators. The law directly affects students with sickle cell disease at public and private institutions of higher education in Maryland, as well as campus staff responsible for implementing these policies. The requirements take effect October 1, 2026, with institutions needing to establish clear reporting procedures for violations.