Mental Health Association of Maryland
2025 Legislative Bill Tracking
Thursday, January 30, 2025 9:49 AM
| Bill (Crossfile) | Bill Title & Upcoming Hearings | Sponsor | Status | Position | Testimony |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SB 36 (HB 421) | Public Safety - 9-1-1 Trust Fund - 9-8-8 Suicide Prevention Hotline Allows the use of 911 funding for costs associated with operations that are shared with Maryland's 988 helpline, including software interfaces and joint training. |
Kagan | In the Senate - Second Reading Passed (1/28) | Support | SB0036_MHAMD_Fav.pdf (1-17) |
| SB 43 (HB 32) | Maryland Department of Health - Forensic Review Board and Community Forensic Aftercare Program - Established Requires each state psychiatric facility to have a forensic review board that reviews patient records annually to determine whether to recommend that a committed person should be considered eligible for discharge or conditional release. Establishes a community forensic aftercare program to monitor individuals on conditional release to support an individual in complying with the conditions of their release. |
Augustine | In the Senate - Hearing 1/28 at 1:00 p.m. (Finance) (1/14) | Support | SB0043_MHAMD_FAV.pdf (1-24) |
| SB 83 (HB 845) | Public Health - Overdose and Infectious Disease Prevention Services Program Provides for the establishment of six overdose prevention sites throughout Maryland. Hearing 2/04 at 1:00 p.m.@Finance |
Hettleman | In the Senate - Hearing 2/04 at 1:00 p.m. (1/22) | Support | |
| SB 90 (HB 195) | Criminal Procedure - Incompetency to Stand Trial Dismissal Extends the maximum time an individual may be confined for certain criminal charges after a determination they are incompetent to stand trial. |
Muse | In the Senate - Hearing 1/21 at 2:30 p.m. (1/9) | Oppose | SB0090_MHAMD_Unfav.pdf (1-23) |
| SB 111 (HB 382) | Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Health Insurance - Step Therapy, Fail-First Protocols, and Prior Authorization - Prescription to Treat Serious Mental Illness Prohibits prior authorization requirements, step therapy protocols, or fail–first protocols for prescription drugs used to treat certain mental illnesses. |
Lam | In the Senate - Hearing 1/29 at 1:00 p.m. (1/14) | Support | SB0111_MHAMD_FAV.pdf (1-27) |
| SB 127 (HB 300) | State Government - Grants and Contracts - Reimbursement of Indirect Costs Alters the rate at which nonprofit organizations receiving State-funded grants or contracts may be reimbursed for indirect costs to match the rate established under relevant federal guidelines. |
Kagan | In the Senate - Hearing 1/22 at 11:30 a.m. (1/14) | Support | |
| SB 129 (HB 474) | Public Health - Maryland Commission on Health Equity - Advisory Committee and Hospital Reporting Requires the Maryland Commission on Health Equity to establish a heath equity measures advisory committee and requires hospitals to report annually on disparities in access to care and strategies to address those disparities. Hearing 1/30 at 1:00 p.m.@Finance |
Ellis | In the Senate - Hearing 1/30 at 1:00 p.m. (1/14) | Support | |
| SB 174 (HB 345) | Interstate Social Work Licensure Compact Enters Maryland into a compact with other states allowing regulated social workers to operate across state lines. |
Benson | In the Senate - Hearing 1/28 at 1:00 p.m. (1/14) | Support | SB0174_MHAMD_FAV.pdf (1-24) |
| SB 212 (HB 36) | Department of Aging - Aging Services - Program Repeal and Consolidation Consolidates legacy programs in the Department of Aging to make the provision of services more efficient. |
Chair, Finance Committee | In the Senate - Hearing 1/22 at 3:45 p.m. (1/14) | Support | SB0212_MHAMD_Fav.pdf (1-23) |
| SB 223 (HB 158) | Department of Aging - Social Connections Program - Establishment Establishes the Social Connections Program to provide regular, direct communication with eligible older adults to reduce isolation and promote wellness and purposeful social engagement. |
Chair, Finance Committee | In the Senate - Hearing 1/22 at 3:45 p.m. (1/14) | Support | SB0223_MHAMD_Fav.pdf (1-23) |
| SB 310 | Education - Youth Suicide Prevention School Program - Revisions Expands the focus and scope of the state’s Youth Suicide Prevention School Program to include awareness of gambling addiction, trauma or violence occurring out of the school, and referrals to needed behavioral health services. Hearing 2/12 at 2:00 p.m.@Education, Energy, and the Environment |
Simonaire | In the Senate - Hearing 2/12 at 2:00 p.m. (1/23) | Support | |
| SB 321 (HB 352) | Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2025 Cuts annual funding for school behavioral health services by $90 million and eliminates language requiring the Department of Health to develop a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) program. Hearing 2/26 at 1:00 p.m.@Budget and Taxation |
President | In the Senate - Hearing 2/26 at 1:00 p.m. (1/23) | Oppose | |
| SB 328 (HB 665) | Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Health Insurance - Annual Behavioral Health Wellness Visits - Coverage and Reimbursement Requires that Medicaid and commercial insurance carriers cover and reimburse for annual behavioral health wellness visits, regardless of whether the assessment results in a diagnosis. Hearing 2/04 at 1:00 p.m.@Finance |
Augustine | In the Senate - Hearing 2/04 at 1:00 p.m. (1/22) | Support | |
| SB 359 (HB 185) | Therapeutic Child Care Grant Program - Funding - Alterations Extends a grant program that supports childcare for children under the age of six who have developmental delays, physical disabilities, or delays in social, emotional or behavioral functioning. |
King | In the Senate - Hearing 1/29 at 10:30 a.m. (1/16) | Support | SB0359_MHAMD_Fav.pdf (1-27) |
| SB 367 | Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Supportive Housing and Health Services Requires Maryland Medicaid to provide defined supportive housing and health services to eligible individuals who are experiencing homelessness, have a chronic health condition, and require assistance obtaining and maintaining housing as a result of a mental illness, substance use disorder, or disability. Hearing 2/04 at 1:00 p.m.@Finance |
Ellis | In the Senate - Hearing 2/04 at 1:00 p.m. (1/22) | Letter of Information | |
| SB 370 (HB 556) | Drug Paraphernalia for Administration - Decriminalization Decriminalizes the possession of drug paraphernalia. |
McCray | In the Senate - Hearing 1/29 at 11:00 a.m. (1/22) | Support | SB0370_MHAMD_Fav.pdf (1-27) |
| SB 372 (HB 869) | Preserve Telehealth Access Act of 2025 Reauthorizes legislation ensuring the availability of audio-only telehealth and telehealth reimbursement rates that are on par with services delivered in person. Hearing 2/05 at 2:00 p.m.@Finance |
Beidle | In the Senate - Hearing 2/05 at 2:00 p.m. (1/20) | Support | |
| SB 411 | Health Insurance - Postpartum Depression Screening - Required Coverage and Authorized Cost Sharing Requires commercial health insurance companies to provide coverage for screening used to identify postpartum depression. Hearing 2/12 at 1:00 p.m.@Finance |
Waldstreicher | In the Senate - Hearing 2/12 at 1:00 p.m. (1/27) | Support | |
| SB 474 (HB 848) | Health Insurance - Adverse Decisions - Reporting and Examinations Requires that a commercial health insurance company, upon a substantial increase in coverage denials for a particular service, must submit a report to the Maryland Insurance Administration detailing any changes in medical management or other reasons contributing to the rise in denials. Hearing 2/12 at 1:00 p.m.@Finance |
Beidle | In the Senate - Hearing 2/12 at 1:00 p.m. (1/27) | Support | |
| SB 475 (HB 659) | Health Insurance - Utilization Review - Exemption for Participation in Value-Based Care Arrangements Prohibits commercial health insurance companies form imposing prior authorization or step therapy requirements on health services included in a value-based care arrangement. Hearing 2/12 at 1:00 p.m.@Finance |
Beidle | In the Senate - Hearing 2/12 at 1:00 p.m. (1/27) | Monitor | |
| SB 509 (HB 592) | Prohibited Possession of Firearms - Assisted Outpatient Treatment Respondents Prohibits an individual currently subject to an assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) order from possessing a firearm. |
Henson | In the Senate - First Reading Judicial Proceedings (1/23) | Monitor | |
| SB 599 | Behavioral Health Crisis Response Grant Program - Funding Reauthorizes Maryland's Behavioral Health Crisis Response Grant Program to support the development and expansion of crisis response services across the state. |
Hettleman | In the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation (1/23) | Support | |
| HB 11 | Health Insurance - Access to Nonparticipating Providers - Referrals, Additional Assistance, and Coverage Removes sunset on provision prohibiting balance billing of commercially insured individuals who are forced to go out of network for behavioral health treatment; prohibits prior authorization requirements for out of network appointments, reimbursement, or treatment plans; requires the Maryland Health Care Commission to determine a reimbursement formula for out of network providers. Hearing 1/30 at 1:00 p.m.@Health and Government Operations |
Sample-Hughes | In the House - Hearing 1/30 at 1:00 p.m. (1/10) | Support | HB0011_MHAMD_FAV.pdf (1-27) |
| HB 32 (SB 43) | Maryland Department of Health - Forensic Review Board and Community Forensic Aftercare Program - Established Requires each state psychiatric facility to have a forensic review board that reviews patient records annually to determine whether to recommend that a committed person should be considered eligible for discharge or conditional release. Establishes a community forensic aftercare program to monitor individuals on conditional release to support an individual in complying with the conditions of their release. |
Charkoudian | In the House - Hearing 1/29 at 1:00 p.m. (1/15) | Support | |
| HB 36 (SB 212) | Department of Aging - Aging Services - Program Repeal and Consolidation Consolidates legacy programs in the Department of Aging to make the provision of services more efficient. |
Chair, Health and Government Operations Committee | In the House - Hearing 1/23 at 2:00 p.m. (1/10) | Support | HB0036_MHAMD_Fav.pdf (1-23) |
| HB 158 (SB 223) | Department of Aging - Social Connections Program - Establishment Establishes the Social Connections Program to provide regular, direct communication with eligible older adults to reduce isolation and promote wellness and purposeful social engagement. |
Chair, Health and Government Operations Committee | In the House - Hearing 1/23 at 2:00 p.m. (1/10) | Support | HB0158_MHAMD_Fav.pdf (1-23) |
| HB 185 (SB 359) | Therapeutic Child Care Grant Program - Funding - Alterations Extends a grant program that supports childcare for children under the age of six who have developmental delays, physical disabilities, or delays in social, emotional or behavioral functioning. |
Mireku-North | In the House - Hearing 1/29 at 1:00 p.m. (Ways and Means) (1/15) | Support | HB0185_MHAMD_Fav.pdf (1-27) |
| HB 195 (SB 90) | Criminal Procedure - Incompetency to Stand Trial Dismissal Extends the maximum time an individual may be confined for certain criminal charges after a determination they are incompetent to stand trial. |
Cardin | In the House - Hearing 1/28 at 1:00 p.m. (1/10) | Oppose | |
| HB 300 (SB 127) | State Government - Grants and Contracts - Reimbursement of Indirect Costs Alters the rate at which nonprofit organizations receiving State-funded grants or contracts may be reimbursed for indirect costs to match the rate established under relevant federal guidelines. Hearing 2/04 at 2:00 p.m.@Health and Government Operations |
Kerr | In the House - Hearing 2/04 at 2:00 p.m. (1/10) | Support | |
| HB 312 | Criminal Procedure - Incompetency to Stand Trial Extends the maximum time an individual may be confined for certain criminal charges after a determination they are incompetent to stand trial. Hearing 2/04 at 1:00 p.m.@Judiciary |
Cardin | In the House - Hearing 2/04 at 1:00 p.m. (1/17) | Oppose | |
| HB 345 (SB 174) | Interstate Social Work Licensure Compact Enters Maryland into a compact with other states allowing regulated social workers to operate across state lines. |
Kerr | In the House - Hearing 1/23 at 2:00 p.m. (1/15) | Support | HB0345_MHAMD_FAV.pdf (1-21) |
| HB 352 (SB 321) | Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2025 Cuts annual funding for school behavioral health services by $90 million and eliminates language requiring the Department of Health to develop a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) program. Hearing 2/25 at 1:00 p.m. (Appropriations)@Appropriations |
The Speaker | In the House - Hearing 2/25 at 1:00 p.m. (Appropriations) (1/24) | Oppose | |
| HB 382 (SB 111) | Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Health Insurance - Step Therapy, Fail-First Protocols, and Prior Authorization - Prescription to Treat Serious Mental Illness Prohibits prior authorization requirements, step therapy protocols, or fail–first protocols for prescription drugs used to treat certain mental illnesses. Hearing 1/30 at 1:00 p.m.@Health and Government Operations |
S. Johnson | In the House - Hearing 1/30 at 1:00 p.m. (1/21) | Support | HB0382_MHAMD_FAV.pdf (1-27) |
| HB 414 | Health and Taxation - Digital Social Media Services and the Mental Health Care Fund for Children and Youth Establishes a fund to improve access to mental health care for younger Marylanders funded by a tax on individuals deriving over $1 million annually from digital social media services. Hearing 1/30 at 1:00 p.m.@Ways and Means |
Martinez | In the House - Hearing 1/30 at 1:00 p.m. (1/16) | Monitor | |
| HB 421 (SB 36) | Public Safety - 9-1-1 Trust Fund - 9-8-8 Suicide Prevention Hotline Hearing 2/11 at 1:00 p.m.@Health and Government Operations |
S. Johnson | In the House - Hearing 2/11 at 1:00 p.m. (1/21) | Support | |
| HB 468 | Petitions for Emergency Evaluation Specifies that a petition for an emergency psychiatric evaluation shall remain in effect for 5 days, may be extended by a court for an additional 5 days (not to exceed 30 days), and that police officers may use reasonable and necessary force when executing a petition. Hearing 2/05 at 1:00 p.m. (Health and Government Operations)@Health and Government Operations |
Alston | In the House - Hearing 2/05 at 1:00 p.m. (Health and Government Operations) (1/29) | Monitor | |
| HB 474 (SB 129) | Public Health - Maryland Commission on Health Equity - Advisory Committee and Hospital Reporting Requires the Maryland Commission on Health Equity to establish a heath equity measures advisory committee and requires hospitals to report annually on disparities in access to care and strategies to address those disparities. |
Bagnall | In the House - Hearing canceled (1/24) | Support | |
| HB 556 (SB 370) | Drug Paraphernalia for Administration - Decriminalization Decriminalizes the possession of drug paraphernalia. Hearing 2/11 at 1:00 p.m.@Judiciary |
Simpson | In the House - Hearing 2/11 at 1:00 p.m. (1/27) | Support | |
| HB 592 (SB 509) | Prohibited Possession of Firearms - Assisted Outpatient Treatment Respondents Prohibits an individual currently subject to an assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) order from possessing a firearm. Hearing 2/12 at 1:00 p.m.@Judiciary |
Phillips | In the House - Hearing 2/12 at 1:00 p.m. (1/27) | Monitor | |
| HB 659 (SB 475) | Health Insurance - Utilization Review - Exemption for Participation in Value-Based Care Arrangements Prohibits commercial health insurance companies form imposing prior authorization or step therapy requirements on health services included in a value-based care arrangement. |
Cullison | In the House - First Reading Health and Government Operations (1/24) | Monitor | |
| HB 665 (SB 328) | Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Health Insurance - Annual Behavioral Health Wellness Visits - Coverage and Reimbursement Requires that Medicaid and commercial insurance carriers cover and reimburse for annual behavioral health wellness visits, regardless of whether the assessment results in a diagnosis. Hearing 2/06 at 1:00 p.m.@Health and Government Operations |
Woods | In the House - Hearing 2/06 at 1:00 p.m. (1/29) | Support | |
| HB 735 | Certificate of Need - Psychiatric Health Care Facilities and Psychiatric and Mental Health Services - Exemption Provides that a certificate of need is not required to establish or operate a psychiatric health care facility or to offer mental health services at a health care facility. |
Grammer | In the House - First Reading Health and Government Operations (1/27) | Monitor | |
| HB 845 (SB 83) | Public Health - Overdose and Infectious Disease Prevention Services Program | Pena-Melnyk | In the House - First Reading Health and Government Operations (1/30) | Support | |
| HB 848 (SB 474) | Health Insurance - Adverse Decisions - Reporting and Examinations | Pena-Melnyk | In the House - First Reading Health and Government Operations (1/30) | Support | |
| HB 869 (SB 372) | Preserve Telehealth Access Act of 2025 | Pena-Melnyk | In the House - First Reading Health and Government Operations (1/30) | Support |