Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 907: Public Health - Female Genital Mutilation

This bill expands Maryland's child abuse reporting requirements by explicitly including female genital mutilation in the legal definition of abuse, which directly affects healthcare providers, educators, and other mandated reporters. It mandates that these professionals report suspected cases of female genital mutilation to authorities and increases penalties for violations while allowing individuals subjected to the procedure to file civil lawsuits for relief. The legislation also requires the Maryland Department of Health to create and distribute educational materials about female genital mutilation in partnership with various public and private organizations. Additionally, the bill authorizes health licensing boards to revoke licenses of individuals who commit violations related to female genital mutilation under specific circumstances.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens child abuse reporting requirements and protects patients by criminalizing FGM and enabling civil lawsuits, advancing healthcare protection standards.90% 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 · 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 205: Health Insurance - Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders - Codification of Federal Requirements

SB 205 codifies federal mental health parity requirements into Maryland law, requiring health insurance carriers to comply with the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity Act. It mandates carriers to collect and report data on access to mental health and substance use disorder benefits, explain differences in care access, and undergo comparative analyses of nonquantitative treatment limitations. The Maryland Insurance Commissioner gains authority to review carrier reports and address noncompliance. This bill directly affects all health insurance carriers operating in Maryland, ensuring their coverage aligns with federal parity standards for mental health and substance use disorder benefits. It clarifies enforcement mechanisms without creating new benefit requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal insurance coverage for mental health/substance use disorders per federal law, requiring data reporting and Commissioner oversight to prevent discrimination in benefits.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 · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 7: State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Music Therapists - Authority to Issue Limited Licenses to Practice Music Therapy

HB 7 authorizes Maryland's State Board of Examiners to issue limited licenses for music therapists who are completing full licensing requirements but lack sufficient clinical experience. This directly affects new music therapists and healthcare facilities needing to hire them under supervision while they fulfill certification steps. The bill creates a 1-year limited license (renewable once) requiring direct supervision by a fully licensed music therapist, with a 2-year deadline to obtain full licensure. It explicitly states limited licenses cannot replace services from audiologists or speech-language pathologists. The policy change streamlines entry into the profession without altering existing practice standards for music therapy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes limited licenses for music therapists, enabling healthcare facilities to hire under supervision while completing requirements, improving access to mental health services.95% 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