This bill directs the Maryland Department of Health to create regulations ensuring that drug and alcohol treatment programs discharge patients only when it is appropriate for their mental health or substance use disorder diagnosis. It specifically prohibits discharging patients who would become homeless or need residential care, while requiring programs to refer such individuals to halfway houses or recovery residences if they agree to that level of care. The legislation also mandates that treatment programs establish referral agreements for medical, mental health, legal, and social services within three working days after creating an individualized treatment plan, and ensures these agreements remain valid even if a patient is discharged. These standards apply to medium-intensity and high-intensity residential treatment programs in Maryland.
This bill establishes the Anthony McCarthy Task Force to Study Dialysis Outcomes in Maryland, creating a temporary committee to evaluate and improve care for kidney dialysis patients. The task force will include two senators, two delegates, state health officials, medical specialists in urology and nephrology, and two individuals with personal dialysis experience. Its main duties involve assessing current patient outcomes and researching ways to enhance care, such as expanding home dialysis options, creating training programs for home care aides, establishing grants for home modifications and food assistance, and launching public education campaigns. The committee must submit its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by May 31, 2027, and the bill will automatically expire on June 30, 2027.
This bill updates Maryland's newborn screening program by changing how fees are set and how new tests are added to the screening panel. It requires the Department of Health to charge fees that cover all administrative, laboratory, and follow-up costs rather than setting a specific maximum amount. The bill also establishes a process where an advisory council must review risks, costs, and accessibility before the department decides whether to test for new conditions added to the national screening panel. Additionally, it extends the timeline for implementing new tests to two years if equipment or supplies are delayed, with required reporting to state committees.
This Maryland bill establishes a grant program to help American Legion posts purchase and install automated external defibrillators on their property. The Maryland Department of Health will administer the program and seek funding to award grants to eligible posts that currently lack at least two AEDs on-site. Posts with no AEDs will be prioritized for funding over those with only one, and the program will include simplified application procedures and accommodations for posts with limited resources or language barriers. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026, and allows the Governor to include funding for the program in the annual budget.
This Maryland bill expands protections against noncompete and conflict of interest clauses by applying existing restrictions to employees of companies that move their majority of workers or headquarters out of the state. The law makes such restrictive clauses automatically unenforceable for workers earning at or below 150% of the state minimum wage, those in licensed health occupations, and direct patient care roles earning up to $350,000 annually. For higher-paid health care workers, the bill maintains current limits by capping noncompete agreements to one year and restricting geographic restrictions to within 10 miles of their primary workplace. Employers of these health care employees must also notify patients if a former employee relocates to a new practice location. The changes apply only to employment contracts signed on or after October 1, 2026.
This bill requires Maryland public schools to recognize autism diagnoses made by licensed medical, mental health, or educational professionals until the school completes its own initial evaluation. It mandates that schools begin their evaluation process within 30 days of receiving an external autism diagnosis and parental consent, while also requiring schools to provide supports recommended in the diagnosis during the evaluation period. The law specifies which professionals qualify for making external diagnoses, including developmental pediatricians, clinical psychologists, and psychiatrists, and allows schools to offer alternative supports only if the original recommendations conflict with laws or pose safety risks. This legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026, ensuring students with external autism diagnoses receive appropriate support during the school's evaluation timeline.
This bill establishes the Maryland Advanced Manufacturing Grant Program within the Maryland Technology Development Corporation to support companies specializing in regenerative medicine and other advanced manufacturing sectors. The program will provide grants that recipients can use exclusively for acquiring or renovating manufacturing space, improving infrastructure, and purchasing necessary equipment. A dedicated fund will be created to hold grant money, with interest earnings credited back to the fund rather than the state's general fund. The Corporation will work with the Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission to set eligibility criteria, application procedures, and award amounts, with the program taking effect on July 1, 2026.
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.
This bill updates Maryland's restrictive housing policies to strengthen protections for pregnant incarcerated individuals and limit how long people can be held in restrictive housing. It prohibits involuntary placement of pregnant people in restrictive housing except in specific emergency situations, such as when there is an immediate risk of serious harm or a credible flight risk that cannot be managed otherwise. The legislation requires frequent medical assessments, mandates that individuals receive at least 4 hours of daily time outside their cells, and establishes a reporting process for violations. Additionally, the bill creates a new oversight section requiring the Correctional Ombudsman to review implementation and includes stricter documentation requirements for any placement of pregnant individuals in restrictive housing.
HB 1337 requires Frederick County's local health department to automatically approve well and septic service plans for properties on lots subdivided between 1976 and 2019, if prepared by certified professionals. Specifically, it mandates approval for plans certified by a professional engineer (for complex systems) or a licensed environmental health specialist (for traditional systems), without changes or comments. The health department may only deny a plan if it issues a written finding of "imminent threat" to public health/safety, which property owners can appeal within 30 days. This bill directly affects property owners in Frederick County seeking to install or modify wells or septic systems on qualifying lots, effective October 1, 2026.
