Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 838: State Board of Pharmacy - Prescriber-Pharmacist Agreements

HB 838 repeals a requirement that prescribers submit prescriber-pharmacist agreements to their regulating health board. Instead, it allows pharmacists (with specific qualifications, registrations, and training) to directly enter agreements authorizing them to treat opioid use disorder using controlled substances. A key provision requires pharmacists to check the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) for relevant patient data before starting or changing such therapy. This bill directly affects pharmacists, prescribers, and patients with opioid use disorder by expanding pharmacists' role in medication management under defined safeguards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables pharmacists to directly treat opioid use disorder with PDMP checks, expanding access to medication-assisted treatment and improving patient access to critical healthcare services.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 562: State Board of Pharmacy - Prescriber-Pharmacist Agreements - Treatment of Opioid Use Disorders

SB 562 allows pharmacists in Maryland to treat opioid use disorders using medication therapy under specific conditions. It repeals a requirement that prescribers (like doctors) must submit agreements to their health board and instead authorizes pharmacists to enter into prescriber-pharmacist agreements if they meet qualifications such as holding a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, completing required training, and registering with federal agencies. The law mandates that any treatment protocol requires pharmacists to check the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program before starting or changing medication. This change aims to expand access to medication-based treatment for opioid use disorders by enabling pharmacists to provide care in pharmacy settings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands pharmacist authority to treat opioid use disorders, improving patient access to medication therapy without prescriber agreement barriers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 24: State Emergency Medical Services Board - Public Access Automated External Defibrillator Program - Revisions

SB 24 revises Maryland's Public Access Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program to improve oversight and accessibility. It requires most organizations using public AEDs to appoint an AED coordinator responsible for maintenance, reporting, and emergency notification, while exempting law enforcement agencies from needing certificates for AEDs in patrol vehicles. The bill also repeals outdated requirements for regional AED committees and clarifies that grocery stores and restaurants are not subject to certain AED registration rules. These changes aim to streamline compliance for entities managing public AEDs, including schools, businesses, and public facilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRevises AED program to improve emergency access and oversight, enhancing public health emergency response through maintenance requirements and accessibility clarifications.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 276: State Emergency Medical Services Board - Public Access Automated External Defibrillator Program - Revisions

HB 276 revises Maryland's Public Access Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program to clarify requirements for entities using AEDs. It establishes a mandatory "AED Coordinator" role to maintain AED functionality and reporting, repeals outdated requirements for regional council AED committees, and exempts law enforcement agencies from needing a certificate for AEDs deployed in patrol vehicles. The bill affects businesses, organizations, and government entities that operate public AEDs, requiring them to maintain written AED plans and coordinate with emergency services. Key changes streamline oversight while ensuring AEDs remain accessible and properly maintained for public use during cardiac emergencies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens public health emergency response by mandating AED coordination, ensuring device functionality, and removing barriers for public access to life-saving equipment in emergencies.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 14: Health Insurance - Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Enrollment - Effective Dates

SB 14 adjusts when health coverage becomes effective for small businesses using Maryland's SHOP Exchange during specific special enrollment periods. It allows SHOP Exchanges to set coverage start dates based on when plan selections are received: the first day of the following month if received by the 15th, or the second month if received after the 15th. This applies to enrollments triggered by court-ordered dependents (like child support), death of an employee or dependent, or divorce/legal separation. The bill directly affects small employers and their employees/dependents who qualify for these special enrollment scenarios under Maryland's SHOP program. It takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdjusts enrollment timing to allow faster coverage start for small businesses during special enrollment periods, improving access to health insurance.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 139: Insurance - Third Party Administrators - Enforcement

SB 139 amends Maryland law to strengthen oversight of third-party administrators (TPAs) who manage insurance claims for employers or insurers. It expands grounds for the Insurance Commissioner to deny, suspend, or revoke a TPA’s registration (including violations of insurance laws or regulations) and updates civil penalty rules. The bill sets a maximum $10,000 penalty per violation for TPA misconduct, with daily penalties up to $1,000 for ongoing violations. Penalties are determined based on factors like violation severity, the TPA’s history, and harm to policyholders, ensuring enforcement considers context and impact.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStrengthens oversight of insurance claim managers to prevent misconduct, protecting patient access to coverage under insurance laws.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 134: Medicare Supplement Policies - Issuance - Requirements

SB 134 requires Maryland insurance carriers to issue Medicare supplement policies (Medigap) to specific eligible individuals without denying coverage or charging higher premiums based on health status. It directly affects: (1) people transitioning from Maryland Medicaid to Medicare Part B, (2) individuals who became Medicare-eligible before January 2020, and (3) disabled people under 65 who qualify for Medicare. Key provisions mandate that carriers must sell these policies during defined 63-day enrollment periods following Medicaid disenrollment or qualifying events, and prohibit health-based pricing or denial for plans A and D. The law also requires carriers to offer comparable or lower-benefit plans during birthday renewals starting July 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers to issue Medigap without health-based denial or premium hikes, expanding coverage access for vulnerable Medicare-eligible groups transitioning from Medicaid or with disabilities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 88: State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Music Therapists - Authority to Issue Limited Licenses to Practice Music Therapy

SB 88 creates a limited license for music therapists in Maryland who are completing full licensure requirements. It allows the State Board of Examiners to issue these licenses to applicants who meet education standards (including American Music Therapy Association certification), pay fees, and practice under supervision of a fully licensed music therapist. The limited license is valid for one year, renewable once, but expires if full licensure isn't obtained within two years. This does not replace existing services by audiologists or speech-language pathologists, and the practice of music therapy is defined as using music-based interventions within a therapeutic relationship. The bill directly affects aspiring music therapists seeking licensure and the State Board of Examiners.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables provisional licensing for music therapists, expanding access to mental health services through regulated practice pathways while ensuring professional standards.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 272: Health Insurance - Scalp Cooling Systems - Required Coverage

SB 272 requires health insurance plans that cover chemotherapy for cancer treatment to also cover scalp cooling systems. These systems are devices designed to prevent or reduce hair loss during chemotherapy by cooling the scalp. The law applies to insurers, nonprofit health service plans, health maintenance organizations, and managed care organizations offering such coverage in Maryland. It takes effect for all policies issued, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for scalp cooling during chemo, expanding patient access to quality-of-life treatment beyond standard chemotherapy coverage.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 393: Health Insurance - Scalp Cooling Systems - Required Coverage

HB 393 requires health insurers, nonprofit health plans, HMOs, and managed care organizations in Maryland to cover scalp cooling systems when they provide coverage for chemotherapy treatments for cancer. This applies directly to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy who use scalp cooling to prevent hair loss, and to the insurers that must now include this coverage. The bill defines scalp cooling systems as medical devices designed for repeated use to preserve hair during cancer treatment. Coverage must be provided for these systems as part of chemotherapy treatment plans, effective January 1, 2027. The law amends Maryland’s Insurance Article (Section 15-864) to mandate this coverage for qualifying health plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers to cover scalp cooling for chemo patients, expanding access to cancer treatment side effect management and strengthening coverage requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare