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Maryland Gov. Wes Moore issues thousands of pardons for marijuana convictions
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed an executive order to issue more than 175,000 pardons for marijuana convictions Monday.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The new year will bring new laws to the state of Maryland. Starting January 1, 2025, many new laws will go into effect. Here’s a glance at some of the most notable new Maryland laws.
Hearing Aid Coverage, Security Guard Licensing, Maryland Road Worker Protection & more
Hearing Aid Coverage for Adults:
Maryland's SB 778 requires that health insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations provide coverage for adult hearing aids, with a benefit limit of $1,400 per hearing aid every 36 months. This bill allows insured individuals to select a hearing aid and pay any difference without penalties to the provider. The bill aims to improve hearing aid accessibility for adults across the state.
Security Guard Licensing:
Maryland's SB 729 requires employers of security guards at health care facilities to report specific information to the Secretary of State Police every seven days, starting January 1, 2025. The law forbids the inclusion of information in use-of-force reports that cannot be disclosed by state or federal law. This aims to enhance transparency and liability in the security profession.
Maryland Road Worker Protection Act:
The Maryland Road Worker Protection Act of 2024, HB 513, amends the work zone speed control systems by modifying the distribution of revenue from civil fines and the highways eligible for speed control system usage. It makes clear that a system operator's presence is unnecessary during operation and changes the maximum penalty for civil citations. The State Highway Administration is required to produce a related report.
So Every Body Can Move Act:
The "So Every Body Can Move Act" (HB 865) orders that the Maryland Medical Assistance Program and specific insurers provide coverage for prostheses. It also requires these insurers and health plans to meet certain provider network requirements. This law aims to improve access to prosthetic devices for Maryland residents.
Opioid Overdose and Opioid–Related Emergency Medical Conditions – Treatment:
Maryland's HB 1155 and SB 1071 require hospitals to create and uphold protocols for treating patients with opioid-related overdoses or emergency medical conditions. The laws mandate that hospitals refer patients diagnosed with opioid use disorder or prescribed related medications to appropriate community providers and peer support professionals for continued treatment. This legislature aims to improve continuity of care and support for individuals fighting opioid addiction.
These are just a few of the new laws. Here’s a look at the full list of new laws taking effect in Maryland on January 1, 2025:
Full list of new Maryland laws taking effect on January 1, 2025
HB 513 Chapter 17 The Speaker (By Request – Administration), et al MOTOR VEHICLES – WORK ZONE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEMS – REVISIONS (MARYLAND ROAD WORKER PROTECTION ACT OF 2024) Altering the distribution of revenue from civil fines collected through the use of work zone speed control systems; altering the highways on which a work zone speed control system may be used; clarifying that a system operator does not need to be present when a work zone speed control system is in use; altering the maximum penalty for a civil citation issued as a result of an image from a work zone speed control system; requiring the State Highway Administration to make a certain report; etc. Section 2 only
SB 1007 Chapter 40 Senator Hayes STATE GOVERNMENT – EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS Authorizing the Governor to appoint individuals to the State Board of Elections and the Accountability and Implementation Board during the recess of the Senate under certain circumstances; requiring the Governor to submit a certain nomination to the Senate if the term of office will end during the next upcoming recess of the Senate; authorizing the Governor to submit a certain nomination to the Senate more than 40 days after the commencement of the regular legislative session and before Sine Die only if the Senate consents; etc. Section 2 only.
HB 229 Chapter 73 Chair, Economic Matters Committee (By Request – Departmental – Transportation) VEHICLE LAWS – MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE COMPANIES – REQUIREMENTS Requiring motor vehicle insurance companies to participate in the Motor Vehicle Administration’s online verification program for vehicle insurance policies for law enforcement and administrative purposes; and requiring motor vehicle insurance companies to provide certain customer information details.
SB 254 Chapter 74 Chair, Judicial Proceedings Committee (By Request – Departmental – Transportation) VEHICLE LAWS – MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE COMPANIES – REQUIREMENTS Requiring motor vehicle insurance companies to participate in the Administration’s online verification program for vehicle insurance policies for law enforcement and administrative purposes; and requiring motor vehicle insurance companies to provide certain customer information details.
HB 23 Chapter 115 Chair, Health and Government Operations Committee (By Request – Departmental – Maryland Insurance Administration) MARYLAND HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGE – QUALIFIED HEALTH PLANS – DENTAL COVERAGE Repealing a certain provision of law providing that a qualified health plan is not required under certain circumstances to provide essential benefits that duplicate the minimum benefits of qualified dental plans; and repealing the authority of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange to require children enrolling in a qualified health plan to have essential pediatric dental benefits required by the federal Secretary of Health and Human Services.
SB 228 Chapter 116 Chair, Finance Committee (By Request – Departmental – Maryland Insurance Administration) MARYLAND HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGE – QUALIFIED HEALTH PLANS – DENTAL COVERAGE Repealing a certain provision of law providing that a qualified health plan is not required under certain circumstances to provide essential benefits that duplicate the minimum benefits of qualified dental plans; and repealing the authority of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange to require children enrolling in a qualified health plan to have essential pediatric dental benefits required by the federal Secretary of Health and Human Services.
HB 538 Chapter 122 The Speaker (By Request – Administration), et al LAND USE – AFFORDABLE HOUSING – ZONING DENSITY AND PERMITTING (HOUSING EXPANSION AND AFFORDABILITY ACT OF 2024) Establishing the Historic Property Revitalization Director as a position in the Department of Housing and Community Development; prohibiting a local legislative body from prohibiting the placement of certain manufactured homes or modular dwellings in a zoning district that allows single–family residential uses under certain circumstances; requiring local jurisdictions to allow an increase in density of certain qualified projects in certain districts or zones for certain properties; etc.
SB 271 Chapter 430 Chair, Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee (By Request – Departmental – State Board of Elections) ELECTION LAW – REVISIONS Altering the information that clerks of the circuit court for each county and administrative clerks for each District Court are required to report to the State Administrator of Elections to include the names and addresses, if available, of individuals convicted of a felony in the respective court and sentenced to imprisonment with commitment papers; requiring the State Board of Elections to adopt regulations establishing an appeals process regarding certain requests to use public buildings as early voting centers; etc.
HB 700 Chapter 504 Delegates D. Jones and Fair ELECTION LAW – ELECTION JUDGES – REVISIONS Requiring the State Board to develop and implement a marketing campaign to recruit individuals to serve as election judges; authorizing a local board to supplement the marketing campaign implemented by the State Board; requiring that a county employee who serves as an election judge during hours that the employee is scheduled to work receive certain administrative leave and certain election judge compensation; requiring the State Board to adopt certain regulations related to service as an election judge; etc.
SB 783 Chapter 595 Senator Elfreth, et al PUBLIC UTILITIES – SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS AND PROGRAMS, MARYLAND STRATEGIC ENERGY INVESTMENT FUND, AND PREVAILING WAGE (BRIGHTER TOMORROW ACT) Requiring that certain home improvement contracts for the installation of a solar energy generating system on the roof of a building include the installation of a certain wildlife barrier under certain circumstances; requiring a county or municipality to implement certain software for features supporting the tracking and approval of residential building permits for residential solar energy and energy storage systems and main electric panel upgrades and derates on or before August 1, 2025, except under certain circumstances; etc. Section 4 only
HB 647 Chapter 740 Delegate Guyton PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE – PET INSURANCE – REGULATION Establishing requirements and prohibitions for pet insurance policies that are issued to a resident of the State or are sold, solicited, negotiated, or offered in the State, including disclosure requirements and requirements and prohibitions related to wellness programs; and requiring the Maryland Insurance Administration, on or before June 1, 2025, to develop informational material about pet insurance policies that may be disseminated to and posted by veterinary practitioners.
HB 865 Chapter 822 Delegate Martinez, et al MARYLAND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND HEALTH INSURANCE – COVERAGE FOR PROSTHESES (SO EVERY BODY CAN MOVE ACT) Requiring the Maryland Medical Assistance Program and certain insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations to provide certain coverage related to prostheses; establishing that certain insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations must comply with certain provider network requirements; etc.
SB 614 Chapter 823 Senator Beidle, et al MARYLAND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND HEALTH INSURANCE – COVERAGE FOR PROSTHESES (SO EVERY BODY CAN MOVE ACT) Requiring the Maryland Medical Assistance Program and certain insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations to provide certain coverage related to prostheses beginning January 1, 2025; establishing that certain insurers, nonprofit health plans, and health maintenance organizations must comply with certain provider network requirements; etc.
HB 932 Chapter 847 Delegate Cullison, et al HEALTH INSURANCE – UTILIZATION REVIEW – REVISIONS Altering and establishing requirements and prohibitions related to health insurance utilization review; altering requirements related to internal grievance procedures and adverse decision procedures; altering certain reporting requirements on health insurance carriers relating to adverse decisions; and establishing requirements on health insurance carriers and health care providers relating to the provision of patient benefit information. Section 1 only.
SB 791 Chapter 848 Senator Klausmeier HEALTH INSURANCE – UTILIZATION REVIEW – REVISIONS Altering and establishing requirements and prohibitions related to health insurance utilization review; altering requirements related to internal grievance procedures and adverse decision procedures; altering certain reporting requirements on health insurance carriers relating to adverse decisions; and establishing requirements on health insurance carriers and health care providers relating to the provision of patient benefit information. Section 1 only
HB 1259 Chapter 868 Delegate Alston, et al HEALTH INSURANCE – BREAST AND LUNG CANCER SCREENING – COVERAGE REQUIREMENTS Including image–guided breast biopsy in the definition of "supplemental breast examination" for the purpose of certain provisions of law requiring insurers, health service plans, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for supplemental breast examinations; clarifying that coverage requirements for lung cancer screening apply to follow–up diagnostic imaging; etc.
SB 830 Chapter 871 Senator Klausmeier STATE BOARD OF PHYSICIANS – PERFORMANCE OF X–RAY DUTIES WITHOUT A LICENSE Altering the circumstances under which individuals without a license to practice medicine may perform X–ray duties; authorizing the State Board of Physicians to impose for each violation of the Act a civil penalty of up to $5,000 on the physician’s office and up to $1,000 on the individual who violated the Act; requiring the Board, by October 1, 2029, to report to certain committees of the General Assembly on the number of individuals registered to perform limited X–ray duties and the continuation or replacement of the registration process; etc.
HB 934 Chapter 872 Delegate Hutchinson, et al STATE BOARD OF PHYSICIANS – PERFORMANCE OF X–RAY DUTIES WITHOUT A LICENSE Altering the circumstances under which individuals without a license to practice medicine may perform X–ray duties; authorizing the State Board of Physicians to impose a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for each violation on the physician’s office and $1,000 for each individual violation of the Act; and requiring the Board, by October 1, 2029, to report to certain committees of the General Assembly on the number of individuals registered to perform limited X–ray duties and the continuation or replacement of the registration process.
HB 1155 Chapter 885 Delegate Stewart, et al HOSPITALS – OPIOID OVERDOSE AND OPIOID–RELATED EMERGENCY MEDICAL CONDITIONS – TREATMENT Requiring hospitals to establish and maintain certain protocols and capacity related to the treatment of patients who are being treated for an opioid–related overdose or opioid–related emergency medical condition; requiring hospitals to make a referral for patients who are diagnosed with opioid use disorder or administered or prescribed medication for opioid use disorder to an appropriate provider to voluntarily continue treatment in the community and work with peer support professionals for a certain purpose; etc.
SB 1071 Chapter 886 Senator McKay HOSPITALS – OPIOID OVERDOSE AND OPIOID–RELATED EMERGENCY MEDICAL CONDITIONS – TREATMENT Requiring hospitals to establish and maintain certain protocols and capacity related to the treatment of patients who are being treated for an opioid–related overdose or opioid–related emergency medical condition; requiring hospitals to make a referral for patients who are diagnosed with opioid use disorder or administered or prescribed medication for opioid use disorder to an appropriate provider to voluntarily continue treatment in the community and work with peer support professionals for a certain purpose; etc.
SB 729 Chapter 942 Senator Carter BUSINESS OCCUPATIONS AND PROFESSIONS – SECURITY GUARDS – USE OF FORCE REPORTING, STANDARDS, AND CERTIFICATIONS Prohibiting a use of force report from including information that is prohibited from disclosure by State or federal law; requiring the employer of a security guard providing security guard services on the premises of a health care facility to report certain information to the Secretary of State Police every 7 days; and altering the effective date of certain provisions of law relating to security guards from June 1, 2024, to January 1, 2025.
HB 732 Chapter 947 Baltimore City Delegation BALTIMORE CITY – CONTROL OVER POWERS OF POLICE COMMISSIONER Repealing a prohibition on certain Baltimore City ordinances or acts of certain municipal officials from conflicting, impeding, obstructing, hindering, or interfering with the powers of the Baltimore City Police Commissioner; and making a portion of the Act contingent on the passage and ratification, by a certain date, of a certain Baltimore City Charter amendment. Section 1 only Contingency – Subject to the ratification of an amendment to the Charter of Baltimore City at the 2024 general election
SB 894 Chapter 948 Senator Carter BALTIMORE CITY – CONTROL OVER POWERS OF POLICE COMMISSIONER Repealing a prohibition on certain Baltimore City ordinances or acts of certain municipal officials from conflicting, impeding, obstructing, hindering, or interfering with the powers of the Baltimore City Police Commissioner; and making a portion of the Act contingent on the passage and ratification, by January 1, 2025, of an amendment to the Charter of Baltimore City that provides for the appointment, terms of office, and the powers and duties of the Baltimore City Police Commissioner and Department. Section 1 only Contingency – Subject to the ratification of an amendment to the Charter of Baltimore City at the 2024 general election.
HB 1339 Chapter 951 Delegate Reilly, et al HEALTH INSURANCE – HEARING AIDS FOR ADULTS – COVERAGE Requiring insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations that provide certain health insurance benefits under certain insurance policies or contracts to provide certain coverage for certain hearing aids for adults; authorizing a limit on the benefit payable of $1,400 per hearing aid every 36 months; and authorizing an insured or enrollee to choose a certain hearing aid and pay a certain amount for the hearing aid without financial or contractual penalty to the provider of the hearing aid. Section 1 only
SB 778 Chapter 952 Senator Gallion HEALTH INSURANCE – HEARING AIDS FOR ADULTS – COVERAGE Requiring insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations that provide certain health insurance benefits under certain insurance policies or contracts to provide certain coverage for certain hearing aids for adults; authorizing a limit on the benefit payable of $1,400 per hearing aid every 36 months; and authorizing an insured or enrollee to choose a certain hearing aid and pay a certain amount for the hearing aid without financial or contractual penalty to the provider of the hearing aid.
2021 Chapters – Effective January 1, 2025
SB 786 Chapter 133 Senator McCray (By Request – Baltimore City Administration) MARYLAND POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2021 – BALTIMORE CITY – CONTROL OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF BALTIMORE CITY Providing that the Police Department of Baltimore City is an agency and instrumentality of the City of Baltimore, instead of the State, contingent on the passage of an amendment to the Charter of Baltimore City providing for the transfer and its ratification by the voters of Baltimore City; establishing an Advisory Board on the Transfer of Control of the Police Department to study issues related to the transfer; declaring the intent of the General Assembly that the transfer does not affect certain collective bargaining rights; etc. Sections 1 and 2 only Contingency – Subject to the ratification of an amendment to the Charter of Baltimore City at the 2024 general election
HB 643 Chapter 490 Delegate Palakovich Carr PUBLIC HEALTH – COSMETIC PRODUCTS – INGREDIENT PROHIBITION Prohibiting, except under certain circumstances, a person from knowingly manufacturing, selling, delivering, holding, or offering for sale in the State a cosmetic product that contains certain intentionally added ingredients; providing that a person is not in violation of the Act under certain circumstances; declaring that it is the intent of the General Assembly that the Act be construed in a manner consistent with the prohibition on certain intentionally added ingredients in cosmetics enacted by the European Union; etc.