HB 625 shifts responsibility for collecting fees from research facilities to the Maryland Department of Agriculture, replacing the current system under the Department of Health. It requires facilities submitting USDA Form 7023 (for animal testing) to pay annual contributions based on animal count: $5,000 for ≤100 animals, $10,000 for 101-500, $55,000 for 501-5,000, and $75,000 for over 5,000. Funds collected will support the Human-Relevant Research Fund established under Maryland’s Economic Development Article. The bill repeals existing health code provisions and creates new agriculture code sections for this fee structure, effective October 2026.
HB 1109 creates the Maryland Medical Reserve Corps, a statewide volunteer network for emergencies like disease outbreaks or disasters, managed by the Maryland Department of Health. It requires the Department to notify county health officers about procurement opportunities for electronic health records systems, allowing counties to join without state approval if fully funded locally. The bill establishes a Public Health Workforce Development Fund (using interest earnings and transfers from another fund) and mandates the Department of Legislative Services to assess health equity impacts of new legislation. These changes directly affect county health departments, the Department of Health, and public health workforce planning.
HB 1367 establishes a Commission on Re-Imagining Health Care in Maryland to study and recommend changes for a new statewide healthcare system. The commission, composed of 20 appointed members including state officials, healthcare providers, insurers, county representatives, and community members, will examine how healthcare is delivered in other regions and address issues like provider shortages, cost balancing, and system integration. It will specifically study how to create a patient-centered system covering all health needs, eliminate access barriers, and ensure financial sustainability for all Maryland residents. The commission’s final recommendations, due by 2028, would guide potential future policy changes but do not enact any immediate healthcare reforms.
HB 1016 invalidates noncompete and conflict-of-interest clauses in employment contracts for certain employees if their employer relocates the majority of its employees or principal business location outside Maryland. It directly affects low-wage workers (earning ≤150% of state minimum wage), healthcare workers providing direct patient care (earning ≤$350,000 annually), and veterinary professionals. For high-earning healthcare workers ($350,000+), the bill allows limited 1-year noncompete restrictions within 10 miles of their prior workplace. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies only to contracts signed after that date.
SB 719 restricts the land application of sewage sludge containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) above specific concentration levels, effective after a set date. It requires monitoring for PFAS in sewage sludge and products containing it, authorizes stricter pretreatment rules for industrial users discharging PFAS, and allows local jurisdictions to set fees for such discharges. The bill directly affects sewage sludge generators (like wastewater treatment facilities), industrial users, and local regulators by mandating new PFAS testing, usage limits, and fee structures. It amends Maryland’s environmental code to establish these requirements without changing existing land application rules for sludge below the new PFAS thresholds.
HB 1533 (the Crown and Care Act) bans 12 specific harmful ingredients - including certain phthalates, formaldehyde, mercury, and PFAS chemicals - from cosmetic products sold in Maryland. It directly affects cosmetic manufacturers, retailers, and salons by prohibiting the sale or distribution of products containing these ingredients, with limited exceptions for unavoidable trace amounts from manufacturing processes. The bill authorizes the Maryland Department of Health to investigate complaints, inspect businesses, and enforce penalties, while allowing consumers harmed by violations to seek civil damages and attorney fees. This law aims to protect public health by reducing exposure to chemicals linked to health risks like skin irritation and potential long-term harm.
SB 656 bans 12 specific harmful chemicals in cosmetics sold in Maryland, including formaldehyde, mercury, and certain PFAS chemicals. It creates civil liability for manufacturers or sellers who violate this ban, allowing consumers to sue for damages. The Maryland Department of Health gains authority to investigate complaints, inspect businesses, and collect product samples. The law exempts trace amounts of banned ingredients that occur unavoidably during manufacturing. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 1135 allows pharmacists in Maryland to order certain vaccinations for patients aged 3 and older without needing to administer the vaccine themselves. Pharmacists must complete 20+ hours of approved training covering vaccine safety, injection techniques, and emergency response, hold current CPR certification, and report all vaccinations to the ImmuNet program. The bill specifically covers influenza, COVID-19, and emergency-use vaccines, and requires pharmacists to refer minors to pediatric care when ordering vaccines. This expands pharmacists' role in vaccine access while maintaining safety protocols and reporting requirements.
SB 773 allows pharmacists in Maryland to order certain vaccinations (like flu, COVID-19, or emergency vaccines) for patients aged 3 and older without needing to administer the vaccine themselves. To qualify, pharmacists must complete 20 hours of approved training, hold current CPR certification, and complete 2 hours of continuing education on immunizations. The bill requires pharmacists to follow written vaccine-specific protocols, report all vaccinations to Maryland’s ImmuNet registry, and refer pediatric patients to primary care providers when appropriate. This policy directly affects pharmacists, patients seeking these vaccines, and healthcare coordination for immunizations. The changes take effect October 1, 2026.
SB 159 requires Maryland's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers to maintain specific equipment and supplies on ambulances, including neonatal care items, and mandates quarterly reviews of performance data like response times and service quality. It also requires counties to establish formal, accessible complaint systems for ambulance quality or conduct issues, with online and in-person filing, tracking, and quarterly reporting to the state EMS Institute. These provisions directly affect all counties and municipalities operating or contracting EMS services, as well as the Maryland Institute for EMS Systems, which coordinates the statewide standards. The bill aims to standardize ambulance equipment, improve accountability through data reviews, and enhance patient access to complaint resolution. It takes effect July 1, 2026.
