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 The bill also repeals outdated requirements for regional AED committees and clarifies that grocery stores and restaurants are not subject to certain AED registration rules.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.
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 It establishes a mandatory "AED Coordinator" role to maintain AED functionality and reporting, repeals outdated requirements for regional council AED committees, and exempts law enforcement agencies from needing a certificate for AEDs deployed in patrol vehicles.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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
HB 278, the "Longevity Ready Maryland Act," requires Maryland's Secretary of Aging to lead implementation of the Longevity Ready Maryland Plan. This plan aims to coordinate state services for older adults by evaluating their needs, assessing existing programs, and fostering cross-sector collaboration across health, housing, employment, and social services. The bill mandates annual reports to the governor and legislature on progress, updates the Commission on Aging's role, and requires a comprehensive statewide plan to be revised every four years. It directly affects older Marylanders, the Department of Aging, local area agencies on aging, and state agencies responsible for aging-related services.
HB 236 extends the required blood testing window for combat sports athletes in Maryland from 30 days to 90 days. It affects boxers, kickboxers, wrestlers, and mixed martial arts competitors seeking licenses or participating in contests. The bill mandates that applicants and licensed contestants must provide documented evidence of negative tests for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C within 90 days prior to license application or competition. This change modifies existing Maryland law (Sections 4-101 and 4-304.1 of the Business Regulation Article) to align testing timing with the State Athletic Commission's requirements. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.
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.
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.
