Problem Gambling - Authorized Uses of Funds - Alterations

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0758*

HOUSE BILL 758
J1, C7 6lr1992

By: Delegates Hornberger, Bouchat, Buckel, Hutchinson, S. Johnson, Kaufman,
Kipke, Miller, and Reilly
Introduced and read first time: February 4, 2026
Assigned to: Ways and Means

A BILL ENTITLED

AN ACT concerning 1

Problem Gambling – Authorized Uses of Funds – Alterations 2

FOR the purpose of altering the purposes for which the Secretary of Health may make 3
grants from or agreements for the use of State and federal funds with respect to the 4
provision of services for problem gamblers ; altering the purposes for which the 5
Maryland Department of Health may utilize the Pr oblem Gambling Fund ; and 6
generally relating to problem gambling and the Problem Gambling Fund. 7

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 8
Article – Health – General 9
Section 19–804(a) 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 12

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 13
Article – State Government 14
Section 9–1A–33(b) 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 17

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 18
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 19

Article – Health – General 20

19–804. 21

(a) [(1)] The Secretary shall make grants from or agreements for the use of State 22
funds, including the funds provided under § 9–1A–33 of the State Government Article, and 23
2 HOUSE BILL 758

federal funds to help public agencies or nonprofit organizations operate the network of 1
clinically appropriate services for problem gamblers who reside in the State to provide the 2
following: 3

[(i)] (1) Inpatient and residential services; 4

[(ii)] (2) Outpatient services; 5

[(iii)] (3) Intensive outpatient services; 6

[(iv)] (4) Continuing care services; 7

[(v)] (5) Educational services; 8

[(vi)] (6) Services for victims of domestic violence; and 9

[(vii)] (7) Other preventive or rehabilitative services or treatment. 10

[(2) Research and training that are designed to improve or extend these 11
services are proper items of expense.] 12

Article – State Government 13

9–1A–33. 14

(b) (1) (i) There is a Problem Gambling Fund in the Maryland Department 15
of Health. 16

(ii) The purpose of the Fund is primarily to provide funding for 17
problem gambling treatment and prevention programs, including: 18

1. inpatient and residential services; 19

2. outpatient services; 20

3. intensive outpatient services; 21

4. continuing care services; 22

5. educational services; 23

6. services for victims of domestic violence; and 24

7. other preventive or rehabilitative services or treatment. 25

HOUSE BILL 758 3

(2) The Problem Gambling Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not 1
subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article. 2

(3) Money in the Problem Gambling Fund shall be invested and reinvested 3
by the Treasurer, and interest and earnings shall accrue to the Fund. 4

(4) Except as provided in paragraph (5) of this subsecti on, expenditures 5
from the Problem Gambling Fund shall be made only by the Maryland Department of 6
Health to: 7

(i) establish a 24–hour hotline for compulsive and problem gamblers 8
and to provide counseling and other support services for compulsive and problem gamblers; 9

(ii) establish an outreach program for compulsive and problem 10
gamblers, including individuals who requested placement on the voluntary exclusion list 11
established by the Commission under § 9 –1A–24 of this subtitle, for the purpose of 12
participating in problem gambling treatment and prevention programs; 13

(iii) develop and implement free or reduced cost problem gambling 14
treatment and prevention programs, including the programs established under Title 19, 15
Subtitle 8 of the Health – General Article; [and] 16

(iv) develop and implement free or reduced cost problem gambling 17
treatment and prevention programs targeted at individuals with problem gambling issues 18
related to sports wagering, participation in fantasy competitions, and other forms of 19
wagering, whether legal or illegal, conducted in the State or through online means; AND 20

(V) PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENT TO SUPPORT PEERS PROVIDING 21
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH PROBLEM GAMBLING ISSUES 22
WHO ARE RECEIVING TR EATMENT OR PARTICIPATING IN PRE VENTION PROGRAMS 23
DESCRIBED UNDER ITEMS (III) AND (IV) OF THIS PARAGRAPH. 24

(5) After satisfying the requirements of paragraph (4) of this subsection, 25
any unspent funds in the Problem Gambling Fund may be expended by the Maryland 26
Department of Health on drug and other addiction treatment services. 27

(6) Expenditures from the Problem Gambling Fund shall be made in 28
accordance with an appropriation approved by the General Assembly in the annual State 29
budget or by the budget amendment procedure provided for in § 7–209 of the State Finance 30
and Procurement Article. 31

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 32
October 1, 2026. 33