Healthcare

SB 774, the "TRUTH in Mental Health Coverage Act," requires Maryland health insurance carriers to annually report detailed claims data on mental health and substance use coverage starting in 2028. This affects all insurers offering health benefit plans in Maryland, mandating they submit standardized data on access, network availability, and coverage for services like outpatient care, telehealth, and youth/adult services. The report must include breakdowns by facility type, provider specialty, service format, and geographic area. The Maryland Insurance Commissioner will make this data publicly available through a website and interactive dashboards to improve transparency for consumers.

SB 876 requires recovery residences in Maryland to obtain certification from an approved credentialing entity before operating, beginning January 1, 2027. This directly affects recovery residences - housing facilities providing alcohol- and drug-free living for individuals with substance use disorders (but not clinical treatment services). The bill mandates credentialing entities to establish standards, conduct inspections, and issue annual certificates, with penalties of up to $1,000 per violation for operating without certification or falsely advertising certification. It replaces existing authorization language with a mandatory requirement and adds transparency through public lists of certified residences and credentialing entities.

SB 870 requires the Maryland Department of Health to ensure at least 24 licensed adolescent psychiatric inpatient beds are operational in Prince George’s County by December 2028. The bill mandates the Department to expand capacity through existing facilities, private contracts, or public-private partnerships, prioritizing solutions that reduce emergency department boarding and ensure access regardless of insurance. It also creates a grant program to fund capital costs like construction, renovations, and safety upgrades for qualifying facilities. The Department must report annually to the Governor and General Assembly on bed availability, boarding metrics, staffing barriers, and recommendations for maintaining capacity.