Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 773: Health Occupations - Pharmacists - Vaccination Orders

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands pharmacist authority to order vaccinations, improving patient access to immunizations without physician referral while maintaining safety protocols.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 778: Clinical Research Pharmacies and Clinical Trials - Permits and Ownership

SB 778 creates a new "clinical research pharmacy permit" required for pharmacies conducting clinical trials in Maryland. It allows healthcare providers to own such pharmacies under specific conditions, including requiring a licensed pharmacist to be on-site at all times and prohibiting owners from receiving payment for patient referrals. The bill also exempts clinical trials conducted by corporations from being classified as "practice of medicine," removing a licensing barrier for these activities. This directly affects pharmacies seeking to operate clinical trials, healthcare providers considering ownership, and the State Board of Pharmacy (as the permit issuer).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves licensing barrier for clinical trials by exempting corporate trials from 'practice of medicine' classification, enabling research pharmacies to operate and advance medical innovation and patient access to trials.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 159: Emergency Medical Services - Vehicles and Ambulances - Required Supplies

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates ambulance equipment standards, performance reviews, and complaint systems to improve EMS service quality and patient safety, directly strengthening emergency healthcare delivery.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 347: Workers' Compensation - Occupational Disease Presumptions - Hypertension

HB 347 adds hypertension to the list of occupational diseases presumed work-related for specific emergency responders in Maryland. It creates a legal presumption that firefighters, firefighting instructors, rescue squad members, advanced life support unit members, and State Fire Marshal staff with hypertension are entitled to workers' compensation benefits if they meet four conditions: diagnosed by a provider, prescribed hypertension medication for 90+ consecutive days, completed 2+ years of cumulative service in the state, and are currently employed in that role. This bill modifies Maryland’s workers’ compensation law (specifically Sections 9-502 and 9-503) to expand eligibility for these occupations without requiring separate proof that hypertension resulted from their job duties. It directly affects these emergency personnel seeking compensation for hypertension-related disability or death.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds hypertension to occupational disease presumptions for emergency responders, ensuring automatic workers' comp access for hypertension treatment, expanding healthcare coverage access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdds hypertension to occupational disease presumptions for emergency responders, creating legal presumption for workers' comp benefits and easing burden of proof for covered conditions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 374: State Acupuncture Board - Revisions

HB 374 revises Maryland's acupuncture licensing rules to clarify that "manual therapies" (like acupressure) are included under licensed acupuncture practice. It requires the State Acupuncture Board to provide proof of license renewal instead of issuing physical renewal certificates. The bill also explicitly prohibits employers from hiring unlicensed practitioners and bans aiding or abetting unauthorized acupuncture practice. These changes directly affect licensed acupuncturists, their employers, and individuals seeking acupuncture services in Maryland. The revisions aim to modernize licensing procedures while strengthening enforcement against unlicensed activity.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies acupuncture licensing to ensure patient safety, prevents unlicensed practice, and strengthens regulatory standards for healthcare services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 370: State Acupuncture Board - Revisions

SB 370 revises Maryland's acupuncture licensing rules by defining "manual therapies" as part of licensed acupuncture practice and requiring the State Acupuncture Board to provide proof of license renewal instead of issuing physical renewal certificates. The bill prohibits employers from hiring unlicensed acupuncture practitioners or aiding unauthorized practice, with penalties including civil fines up to $50,000 and criminal charges for repeat offenses. It directly affects licensed acupuncturists, their employers, and clinics that hire practitioners, clarifying what constitutes authorized practice under state law. The changes take effect October 1, 2026, and align licensing standards with national certification requirements for new applicants.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens healthcare regulation by requiring licensed acupuncture practitioners, preventing unlicensed practice, and protecting patient safety through enforcement.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 39: Behavioral Health Rate Methodology Modernization - Workgroup Establishment and Study

SB 39 establishes a workgroup to develop a sustainable reimbursement rate methodology for Maryland's Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) and Outpatient Mental Health Centers (OMHCs), directly affecting behavioral health providers facing financial strain due to outdated rates. The bill requires the Maryland Department of Health to conduct a cost study of OMHC services, form an advisory panel to review rate recommendations, and increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for OMHCs in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Key provisions include evaluating provider costs, workforce needs, and alignment with somatic health care parity, while addressing closures like those in Frederick County. The workgroup must report findings by December 2027, aiming to stabilize provider finances and ensure continued access to community mental health care.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases Medicaid reimbursement rates for mental health centers, directly funding public health services through state budget allocations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid reimbursement rates for mental health centers to address financial strain and ensure provider sustainability, directly supporting behavioral health services funding.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 595: Income Tax - Credit for Physician Preceptors in Areas With Health Care Workforce Shortages - Alterations

HB 595 modifies Maryland's income tax credit for physicians mentoring medical students in underserved areas. It removes a requirement that students must be enrolled in a Maryland medical school or training program and reduces the required hours per preceptor rotation from 100 to 90 for community-based clinical training. Licensed physicians serving as preceptors in designated healthcare shortage areas may claim a $1,000 tax credit per qualifying student rotation, capped at $10,000 annually per physician and $100,000 statewide. The bill aims to expand access to physician mentorship by broadening eligibility for the credit, directly benefiting doctors and medical training programs in regions facing healthcare workforce shortages.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a $1,000 tax credit per qualifying student rotation for physicians, providing direct tax relief to incentivize healthcare workforce development in underserved areas.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands tax credit accessibility for physician preceptors in healthcare shortage areas, removing enrollment restrictions and reducing hour requirements to strengthen workforce development in underserved communities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 412: Maryland Department of Health - Forensic Review Boards and Community Forensic Aftercare Program

SB 412 establishes Maryland’s Community Forensic Aftercare Program within the Maryland Department of Health. The program monitors two groups: individuals committed to the health department due to being "not criminally responsible" (often called "not guilty by reason of insanity" cases), and people with mental illness or intellectual disability requiring community monitoring under specific legal circumstances. Key mechanisms include creating a community monitoring board to decide on conditional release and out-of-state travel, and requiring licensed social workers ("Program Monitors") to track compliance with court orders and make health recommendations. The bill amends Maryland’s Criminal Procedure and Health codes to implement this program, focusing on safety and structured oversight for these individuals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes community monitoring program for mental health cases to improve rehabilitation and reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mental health aftercare program under health department, supporting community monitoring for mental illness cases per bill's focus on forensic mental health services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 411: Hospitals - Clinical Staffing Committees and Plans - Establishment (Safe Staffing Act of 2026)

SB 411 requires non-state hospitals in Maryland to establish clinical staffing committees with equal representation from management and frontline staff, including nurses, technicians, and other caregivers. These committees must develop evidence-based staffing plans considering patient acuity, staffing gaps, and daily patient needs, which hospitals must implement starting January 1, 2028. Hospitals must annually review these plans, publicly post staffing data on units, and submit annual reports to the Maryland Health Care Commission beginning in 2030. The bill directly affects hospital operations, staffing decisions, and transparency for frontline workers and patients.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires hospitals to establish staffing committees and develop evidence-based plans addressing patient acuity and staffing gaps, directly improving patient safety and care quality per healthcare policy indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires equal frontline staff representation in staffing committees, directly strengthening worker input on workplace safety and staffing conditions per bill's evidence-based plan mandate.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare