Healthcare (Long-Term Care)

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 25, 2026

HB 1632: Anthony McCarthy Task Force to Study Dialysis Outcomes

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes task force to evaluate and improve dialysis care outcomes, indicating support for healthcare quality improvement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HB 1291: Public Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Continuity of Care

HB 1291 requires the Maryland Department of Health to create procedures ensuring seniors aged 65+ who received in-home services within the past six months can temporarily continue care during service lapses caused by departmental errors. The bill mandates that temporary service continuation (up to 52 days or 1,248 hours) begin immediately upon service interruption and cover only previously approved services. It prohibits the department from altering existing appeal rights or billing recipients for services provided during this temporary period. The law applies specifically to seniors facing administrative or technical errors in their Medicaid coverage, ensuring uninterrupted care without financial burden. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures continuity of in-home care for seniors during service lapses, protecting access to approved services without billing recipients or altering appeal rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid Public Health

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 945: Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities - Notification of Investigations and Establishment of the Health Care Quality Improvement Initiative

HB 945 requires Maryland's Department of Health to immediately notify and coordinate with the local health department whenever investigating a nursing home complaint alleging actual harm. This affects the Department, local health departments, and nursing homes directly. The key provision mandates that the Department must contact the local health department right away and collaborate with them during the investigation, particularly for complaints involving actual harm (not routine issues). The bill amends existing law to formalize this notification and consultation process during investigations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires coordinated investigation of nursing home harm complaints, strengthening oversight to protect patient safety in healthcare facilities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 931: Health Care Facilities - Nursing Homes - Medical Director Requirements

HB 931 requires nursing homes in Maryland to designate physicians as medical directors who either hold a specific certification (CMD from PALTMED) or are actively working toward it. The bill directly affects nursing homes (which must comply with the certification requirement) and physicians serving in medical director roles (who must meet the certification standard). Key provisions include mandating the Maryland Department of Health to create a public online directory listing all nursing home medical directors with their credentials and certification status, and setting a deadline of September 30, 2028, for current medical directors to obtain certification. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires nursing home medical directors to hold specific certification, strengthening oversight and quality of care in healthcare facilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 14, 2026

SB 973: Income Tax - Credit for Long-Term Care Premiums

SB 973 adjusts Maryland's income tax credit for long-term care insurance premiums. It reduces the maximum annual credit from $500 to $250 per person for Maryland residents aged 45 or older who pay premiums for qualifying long-term care insurance covering themselves or eligible family members. The bill restricts claims if the insured individual was covered before January 1, 2027, or if the credit was previously claimed for that person. These changes take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesReduces tax credit amount, restricting tax breaks for long-term care insurance premiums90% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareReduces tax credit for long-term care insurance from $500 to $250, weakening financial support for coverage and limiting access to long-term care services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Long-Term Care

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1437: Income Tax - Credit for Long-Term Care Premiums

HB 1437 creates a Maryland income tax credit for long-term care insurance premiums paid by residents aged 45 or older. It allows taxpayers to claim a credit equal to 100% of eligible premiums (capped at $250 per year per insured person), covering the taxpayer, spouse, or certain family members. The credit is restricted to policies purchased after December 31, 2026, and cannot be claimed for individuals already covered before January 1, 2027, or for multiple taxpayers claiming the same person. The bill also requires annual reports to the legislature on credit usage and its impact on state medical assistance savings.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates income tax credit for long-term care premiums, reducing tax burden for eligible residents. Directly aligns with tax relief indicator for Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides tax credit for long-term care insurance premiums, increasing affordability and access to coverage for seniors, directly supporting healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Long-Term Care

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 663: Nursing Homes - Direct Care Wages and Benefits and Cost Reports

This bill requires Maryland nursing homes to spend at least 75% of their total nursing and residential care revenue on direct care staff wages and benefits (including nurses, dietary, therapy, and social workers). Nursing homes must annually submit detailed cost reports by September 1 starting in 2027, including proof of wage payments and other data determined by the Maryland Department of Health. Failure to comply may result in enforcement actions, including suspension from the Maryland Medical Assistance Program. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, directly affecting all nursing homes operating in Maryland.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates 75% revenue allocation to direct care staff wages in nursing homes, improving workforce stability and care quality in healthcare settings.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates 75% revenue allocation for direct care staff wages/benefits with annual reporting and enforcement, directly strengthening worker compensation standards in nursing homes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1181: Family Law - Children in Out-of-Home Placement - Voluntary Placement Agreements

HB 1181 amends Maryland's Family Law to streamline voluntary placement agreements for children with developmental disabilities or mental illnesses in out-of-home care. The bill requires local departments to schedule an assessment meeting with families and providers within 5 business days of receiving a request, and issue a written eligibility decision within another 5 business days. It clarifies that local departments cannot seek legal custody solely to obtain treatment for these children, while allowing placements to exceed 180 days if a juvenile court finds continued placement is in the child's best interest. These changes aim to reduce current delays (often 60-90 days) that contribute to extended hospital stays and family distress.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines mental health access for children with disabilities by requiring timely assessments and preventing custody barriers for treatment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Long-Term Care

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HB 1423: Maryland Department of Health - Workgroup on Home- and Community-Based Services

HB 1423 requires the Maryland Department of Health to create a workgroup focused on improving home- and community-based services for older adults and people with disabilities. The workgroup, including state agency representatives and community stakeholders, will review five specific programs (like the Community First Choice Program and Home and Community-Based Options Waiver) to assess eligibility, wait times, access barriers, and provider rates. It must make recommendations to improve these services and submit a final report to the Governor and relevant legislative committees by October 1, 2027. This bill directly affects the Department of Health’s oversight of these programs and aims to address systemic issues in service delivery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates workgroup to review and improve home/community-based healthcare services, addressing access barriers and provider rates for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 1002: Nursing Facilities - Involuntary Discharge or Transfer

HB 1002 prohibits nursing facilities from involuntarily discharging or transferring residents to temporary housing (like hotels) without confirmation from the receiving facility that it can accept the resident. It requires facilities to provide residents with clear written notices at least 10 days before a discharge or transfer, including the reason, new location, and contact information for hearings. The bill also bans facilities from discharging Medicaid-eligible residents solely because they qualify for Medicaid benefits, and mandates that post-discharge plans include specific care details. These changes aim to protect residents' rights and ensure smoother transitions during involuntary moves.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents involuntary discharges/transfers without facility confirmation and Medicaid eligibility protections, strengthening patient rights and access in healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid