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EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
Italics indicate opposite chamber/conference committee amendments.
*hb1118*
HOUSE BILL 1118
J5, J2, J1 (6lr2076)
ENROLLED BILL
— Health/Finance —
Introduced by Delegates White Holland, Acevero, Addison, Alston, Amprey,
Crutchfield, Fennell, Hill, J. Long, Mireku –North, Pasteur, Phillips,
Roberson, Roberts, Ross, Ruth, Smith, Taveras, Taylor, Toles, Wilkins, and
Woods Woods, Bagnall, Cullison, Guzzone, Hutchinson, S. Johnson,
Kaufman, Kipke, Lopez, Martinez, Rosenberg, and Woorman
Read and Examined by Proofreaders:
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
Sealed with the Great Sea l and presented to the Governor, for his approval this
_______ day of _______________ at ________________________ o’clock, ________M.
______________________________________________
Speaker.
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Health, Health Insurance, and Health Occupations – Perinatal Mental 2
Behavioral Health Conditions 3
FOR the purpose of requiring carriers to provide a standing referral to a mental behavioral 4
health care provider for a certain period of time; clarifying the application of 5
provisions requiring carriers to allow a member to obtain a referral to a provider who 6
is not part of the carrier’s provider network when seeking care for a mental health 7
condition in certain circumstances; requiring the Maryl and Medical Assistance 8
Program and certain insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health 9
maintenance organizations to provide coverage for screening for perinatal mental 10
behavioral health conditions at certain times; altering and establishing 11
2 HOUSE BILL 1118
requirements related to the identification and development of training programs 1
that improve early identification of perinatal mental behavioral health conditions; 2
requiring the Maryland Department of Health to establish a perinatal mental health 3
condition screening program certain health care providers to screen for perinatal 4
behavioral health conditions; requiring the Maryland Department of Health to 5
identify certain screening tools and to assist certain health care providers with 6
accessing resources and referr al services related to screening for perinatal 7
behavioral health conditions; requiring certain applicants for the renewal of a health 8
occupation license or certificate to provide documentation that the applicant 9
completed continuing education credit hours health occupations boards to grant a 10
certain number of hours of continuing education credits for each hour of continuing 11
education completed by certain individuals on perinatal mental behavioral health 12
conditions; and generally relating to perinatal mental behavioral health conditions. 13
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 14
Article – Health – General 15
Section 15–103(a)(1) 16
Annotated Code of Maryland 17
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 18
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 19
Article – Health – General 20
Section 15–103(a)(2)(xxvii) and (xxviii), 20–1801, and 20–1802 21
Annotated Code of Maryland 22
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 23
BY adding to 24
Article – Health – General 25
Section 15–103(a)(2)(xxix), 20–1801, and 20–1804 26
Annotated Code of Maryland 27
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 28
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 29
Article – Insurance 30
Section 15–830(a) and (c) 31
Annotated Code of Maryland 32
(2017 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 33
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 34
Article – Insurance 35
Section 15–830(d) 36
Annotated Code of Maryland 37
(2017 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 38
BY adding to 39
Article – Insurance 40
Section 15–864 41
HOUSE BILL 1118 3
Annotated Code of Maryland 1
(2017 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 2
BY adding to 3
Article – Health – General 4
Section 20–1801 and 20–1804 5
Annotated Code of Maryland 6
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 7
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 8
Article – Health – General 9
Section 20–1801 and 20–1802 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 12
BY adding to 13
Article – Health Occupations 14
Section 1–231 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 17
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE G ENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 18
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 19
Article – Health – General 20
15–103. 21
(a) (1) The Secretary shall administer the Maryland Medical Assistance 22
Program. 23
(2) The Program: 24
(xxvii) Beginning on January 1, 2026, if providing coverage for the 25
delivery of anesthesia, shall provide coverage for the delivery of anesthesia in accordance 26
with § 15–862 of the Insurance Article; [and] 27
(xxviii) Beginning on January 1, 2026, shall provide calcium score 28
testing in accordance with § 15–863 of the Insurance Article; AND 29
(XXIX) BEGINNING ON JANUARY 1, 2027, SHALL PROVIDE 30
COVERAGE FOR SCREENING FOR PERINATAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AT 31
THE 1–MONTH, 2–MONTH, 4–MONTH, AND 6–MONTH WELL VISITS WITHIN THE FIRST 32
YEAR OF THE CHILD ’S LIFE , AS DETERMINED APPROP RIATE BY THE TREATING 33
HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. 34
4 HOUSE BILL 1118
Article – Insurance 1
15–830. 2
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 3
(2) “Carrier” means: 4
(i) an insurer that offers health insurance other than long –term 5
care insurance or disability insurance; 6
(ii) a nonprofit health service plan; 7
(iii) a health maintenance organization; 8
(iv) a dental plan organization; or 9
(v) except for a managed care organization as defined in Title 15, 10
Subtitle 1 of the Health – General Article, any other person that provides health benefit 11
plans subject to State regulation. 12
(3) (i) “Member” means an individual entitled to health care benefits 13
under a policy or plan issued or delivered in the State by a carrier. 14
(ii) “Member” includes a subscriber. 15
(4) “MENTAL HEALTH DISORDE R” INCLUDES A PERINATAL MENTAL 16
HEALTH CONDITION. 17
[(4)] (5) “Nonphysician specialist” means a health care provider: 18
(i) 1. who is not a physician; 19
2. who is licensed or certified under the Health Occupations 20
Article; and 21
3. who is certified or trained to treat or provide health care 22
services for a specified condition or disease in a manner that is within the scope of the 23
license or certification of the health care provider; or 24
(ii) that is licensed as a behavioral health program under § 7.5 –401 25
of the Health – General Article. 26
(6) (5) (I) “PERINATAL MENTAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH 27
CONDITION” MEANS A MENTAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONDITION OCCURRING 28
DURING PREGNANCY, THE POSTPARTUM PERIO D, OR THE PERINATAL PER IOD OR 29
HOUSE BILL 1118 5
WITHIN 1 YEAR AFTER THE CONCL USION OF A PREGNANCY , INCLUDING A 1
PREGNANCY THAT DOES NOT RESULT IN A LIVE BIRTH. 2
(II) “PERINATAL MENTAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONDITION ” 3
INCLUDES POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION. 4
[(5)] (7) (6) (i) “Provider panel” means the providers that contract with a 5
carrier either directly or through a subcontracting entity to provide health care services to 6
enrollees of the carrier. 7
(ii) “Provider panel” does not include an arrangement in which any 8
provider may participate solely by contracting with the carrier to provide health care 9
services at a discounted fee–for–service rate. 10
[(6)] (8) (7) “Specialist” means a physician who is certified or trained to 11
practice in a specified field of medicine and who is not designated as a primary care provider 12
by the carrier. 13
(c) (1) (I) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a member 14
who is pregnant shall receive a standing referral to an obstetrician, in accordance with this 15
subsection. 16
[(2)] (II) After the member who is pregnant receives a standing referral to 17
an obstetrician, the obstetrician is responsible for the primary management of the 18
member’s pregnancy, including the issuance of referrals in accordance with the carrier’s 19
policies and procedures, through the postpartum period. 20
(2) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF TH IS SECTION, A 21
MEMBER SHALL RECEIVE A STANDING REFERRAL TO A MENTAL HEALTH C ARE 22
PROVIDER, IN ACCORDANCE WITH T HIS SUBSECTION, FOR THE DURATION OF THE 23
MEMBER’S PREGNANCY AND 1 YEAR AFTER THE MEMBE R GIVES BIRTH TO A 24
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CA RE PROVIDER ACTING W ITHIN THE SCOPE OF T HE 25
PROVIDER’S LICENSE , INCLUDING A PSYCHIAT RIST, PSYCHOLOGIST, LICENSED 26
SOCIAL WORKER–CLINICAL, OR LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR FOR: 27
(I) THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES RECOGNIZE D BY THE 28
UNITED STATES PREVENTIVE SERVICES TASK FORCE AS PREVENTIVE B ENEFITS; 29
AND 30
(II) THE DURATION OF THE MEMBER’S PREGNANCY AND 1 YEAR 31
AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE PREGNANCY. 32
(3) A written treatment plan may not be required when a standing referral 33
is to an obstetrician OR MENTAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER under this 34
subsection. 35
6 HOUSE BILL 1118
(d) (1) Each carrier shall establish and implement a procedu re by which a 1
member may request a referral to a specialist or nonphysician specialist who is not part of 2
the carrier’s provider panel in accordance with this subsection. 3
(2) The procedure shall provide for a referral to a specialist or nonphysician 4
specialist who is not part of the carrier’s provider panel if: 5
(i) 1. the member is diagnosed with a condition or disease that 6
requires specialized health care services or medical care; and 7
2. A. the carrier does not have in its provider panel a 8
specialist or nonphysician specialist with the professional training and expertise to treat or 9
provide health care services for the condition or disease; or 10
B. the carrier cannot provide reasonable access to a specialist 11
or nonphysician specialist with the professional training and expertise to treat or provide 12
health care services for the condition or disease without unreasonable delay or travel, 13
including within the reasonable appointment waiting time and travel distance standards 14
established in regulation for mental health and substance use disorder services; or 15
(ii) 1. the member is seeking mental health or substance use 16
disorder care; and 17
2. the carrier cannot provide reasonable access to a specialist 18
or nonphysician specialist within the re asonable appointment waiting time and travel 19
distance standards established in regulation for mental health and substance use disorder 20
services. 21
(3) The procedure shall ensure that a request to obtain a referral to a 22
specialist or nonphysician specialist who is not part of the carrier’s provider panel is 23
addressed in a timely manner that is: 24
(i) appropriate for the member’s condition; and 25
(ii) in accordance with the timeliness requirements for 26
determinations made by private review agents under § 15–10B–06 of this title. 27
(4) If a member cannot access mental health or substance use disorder 28
services through the referral requirements under paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, 29
the procedure shall require the carrier to provide additi onal assistance to the member in 30
identifying and arranging coverage of mental health or substance use disorder services by 31
a specialist or nonphysician specialist who is not part of the carrier’s provider panel. 32
(5) If a carrier approves a member’s requ est for a referral made in 33
accordance with this subsection, the carrier may not require utilization review other than 34
HOUSE BILL 1118 7
what would be required if the covered benefit were provided by a provider on the carrier’s 1
provider panel. 2
(6) The procedure may not be used by a carrier as a substitute for 3
establishing and maintaining a sufficient provider network in accordance with § 15–112 of 4
this title. 5
(7) Each carrier shall: 6
(i) have a system in place that documents all requests to obtain a 7
referral to receive a covered service from a specialist or nonphysician specialist who is not 8
part of the carrier’s provider panel; 9
(ii) inform members of the procedure to request a referral under 10
paragraph (1) of this subsection; and 11
(iii) provide the information documented under item (i) of this 12
paragraph to the Commissioner on request. 13
15–864. 14
(A) IN THIS SECTION , “PERINATAL MENTAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH 15
CONDITION” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 15–830 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 16
(B) THIS SECTION APPLIES TO: 17
(1) INSURERS AND NONPROFIT HEALTH SERVICE PLANS THAT 18
PROVIDE HOSPITAL, MEDICAL, OR SURGICAL BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS 19
ON AN EXPENSE –INCURRED BASIS UNDER HEALTH INSURANCE POL ICIES OR 20
CONTRACTS THAT ARE ISSUED OR DELIVERED IN THE STATE; AND 21
(2) HEALTH MAINTENA NCE ORGANIZATIONS TH AT PROVIDE 22
HOSPITAL, MEDICAL, OR SURGICAL BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS UNDER 23
CONTRACTS THAT ARE ISSUED OR DELIVERED IN THE STATE. 24
(C) (1) AN ENTITY SUBJECT TO THIS SECTION SHALL P ROVIDE 25
COVERAGE FOR SCREENI NG FOR PERINATAL MENTAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH 26
CONDITIONS: 27
(I) AT EACH PRENATAL VISIT; 28
(II) AT LEAST ONCE WITHIN 6 WEEKS AFTER THE INSU RED OR 29
ENROLLEE GAVE BIRTH; AND 30
8 HOUSE BILL 1118
(III) AT EACH THE 1–MONTH, 2–MONTH, 4–MONTH, AND 1
6–MONTH WELL CHILD VISIT VISITS WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE CHILD’S LIFE, 2
AS DETERMINED APPROPRIATE BY THE TREATING HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. 3
(2) (I) SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH, AN 4
ENTITY SUBJECT TO THIS SECTION MAY SUBJECT THE COVERAGE REQUIRED UNDER 5
THIS SUBSECTION TO A COPAYMENT OR COIN SURANCE REQUIREMENT OR 6
DEDUCTIBLE THAT AN E NTITY SUBJECT TO THI S SECTION IMPOSES FO R SIMILAR 7
COVERAGES UNDER THE SAME POLICY OR CONTRACT. 8
(II) THE COPAYMENT OR COIN SURANCE REQUIREMENT OR 9
DEDUCTIBLE IMPOSED UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH MAY NOT BE 10
GREATER THAN THE COPAYMENT OR COINSURANCE REQUIREMENT OR DEDUCTIBLE 11
IMPOSED BY THE ENTITY FOR SIMILAR COVERAGES. 12
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 13
as follows: 14
Article – Health – General 15
20–1801. 16
(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWI NG WORDS HAVE THE ME ANINGS 17
INDICATED. 18
(B) “HEALTH CARE PROVIDER ” MEANS A PERSON WHO I S LICENSED , 19
CERTIFIED, OR OTHERWISE AUTHORI ZED UNDER THE HEALTH OCCUPATIONS 20
ARTICLE TO PROVIDE HE ALTH OR MEDICAL CARE IN THE ORDINARY COUR SE OF 21
BUSINESS OR PRACTICE OF A PROFESSION. 22
(C) (1) “PERINATAL MENTAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONDITION” MEANS 23
A MENTAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONDITION OCCURRING DURING PREGNANCY, THE 24
POSTPARTUM PERIOD, OR THE PERINATAL PER IOD OR WITHIN 1 YEAR AFTER THE 25
CONCLUSION OF A PREGNANCY, INCLUDING A PREGNANCY THAT DOES NOT RESULT 26
IN A LIVE BIRTH. 27
(2) “PERINATAL MENTAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONDITION ” 28
INCLUDES POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION. 29
[20–1801.] 20–1802. 30
(a) [(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 31
HOUSE BILL 1118 9
(2) (i) “Health care facility” means a facility or an office where health 1
or medical care is provided to patients by a health care provider. 2
(ii) “Health care facility” includes a hospital and a limited service 3
hospital. 4
(3) “Health care provider ” means a person who is licensed, certified, or 5
otherwise authorized under the Health Occupations Article to provide health or medical 6
care in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession. 7
(4) “Hospital” has the meaning stated in § 19–301 of this article. 8
(5) “Limited service hospital” has the meaning stated in § 19 –301 of this 9
article. 10
(b)] The Department, in consultation with stakeholders, shall identify up–to–date, 11
evidence–based, written information about perinatal [mood and anxie ty disorders ] 12
MENTAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONDITIONS that: 13
(1) Has been reviewed by medical experts and national and local 14
organizations specializing in maternal mental health; 15
(2) Is designed for use by health care providers and pregnant and 16
postpartum women and their families; 17
(3) Is culturally and linguistically appropriate for potential recipients of 18
the information; and 19
(4) Includes: 20
(i) Information addressing: 21
1. The signs and symptoms of perinatal mood and anxiety 22
disorders; 23
2. Perinatal medication usage; 24
3. Risk factors of perinatal [mood and anxiety disorders ] 25
MENTAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONDITIONS , including perinatal loss and high –risk 26
pregnancy; 27
4. How and when to screen for symptoms of perinatal [mood 28
and anxiety disorders] MENTAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONDITIONS; 29
5. Brief intervention strategies; and 30
10 HOUSE BILL 1118
6. Evidence–based psychosocial treatments; and 1
(ii) Contact information for national and local maternal mental 2
health programs and services. 3
[(c)] (B) The Department shall: 4
(1) Provide the information identified by the Department under subsection 5
[(b)] (A) of this section to [health]: 6
(I) HEALTH care facilities and health care providers that provide 7
prenatal care, labor and delivery services, and postnatal care to expectant parents; AND 8
(II) EACH LOCAL SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION 9
PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN AGENCY IN THE STATE; and 10
(2) Make the information identified by the Department under subsection 11
[(b)] (A) of this section available on the Department’s website. 12
(C) A AT LEAST ONCE DURING EACH TRIMESTER , A HEALTH CARE 13
PROVIDER WHO EVALUAT ES AND MANAGES PREGNANCY OR POSTPARTUM 14
PERINATAL CARE WHILE ACTING WI THIN THE SCOPE OF TH E HEALTH CARE 15
PROVIDER’S LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE SHALL PROVIDE THE TO A PATIENT: 16
(1) THE INFORMATION IDENTIFI ED BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER 17
SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION TO A PATIENT AT EACH PRENATAL VISIT; OR 18
(2) OTHER APPROPRIATE INF ORMATION ON PERINATA L 19
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONDITIONS. 20
(D) A HOSPITAL SHALL PROVI DE THE INFORMATION I DENTIFIED BY THE 21
DEPARTMENT UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION TO A BIRTHING PARENT ON 22
DISCHARGE FROM THE BIRTHING HOSPITAL. 23
[20–1802.] 20–1803. 24
(a) The Department, in [collaboration with MedChi, The Maryland State Medical 25
Society, the Maryland Nurses Association, the Maryland Affiliate of the American College 26
of Nurse Midwives, the Maryland Psychological Association, and any other health 27
professional association or public health entity in the State identified by the Department ] 28
CONSULTATION WITH TH E STATE BOARD OF PHYSICIANS, THE STATE BOARD OF 29
NURSING, AND POSTPARTUM SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL, shall identify and develop 30
training programs that improve early identification of [postpartum depression and ] 31
perinatal [mood and anxiety disorders ] MENTAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONDITIONS 32
HOUSE BILL 1118 11
THAT AN INDIVIDUAL MAY USE TO SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF § 1–231 OF THE 1
HEALTH OCCUPATIONS ARTICLE. 2
(b) The programs IDENTIFIED OR developed under subsection (a) of this section 3
shall include continuing medical education programs developed by organizations that are 4
accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. 5
(C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROV IDE A LIST OF TRAINI NG PROGRAMS 6
IDENTIFIED OR DEVELOPED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION ON REQUEST. 7
20–1804. 8
(A) THE DEPARTMENT, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE STATE BOARD OF 9
PHYSICIANS AND THE STATE BOARD OF NURSING, SHALL DEVELOP A PERINAT AL 10
MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION SCREENING PROGRAM. 11
(B) THE PROGRAM DEVELOPED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION 12
SHALL REQUIRE A A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER WHO EVALUATES AND MA NAGES 13
PREGNANCY OR POSTPAR TUM CARE WHILE ACTIN G WITHIN THE SCOPE O F THE 14
HEALTH CARE PROVIDER ’S LICENSE OR CERTIFI CATE TO SHALL CONDUCT A 15
SCREENING FOR PERINATAL MENTAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONDITIONS: 16
(1) AT EACH PRENATAL VISIT; 17
(2) AT LEAST ONCE WITHIN 6 WEEKS AFTER THE INSU RED OR 18
ENROLLEE GAVE BIRTH; AND 19
(3) AT EACH AT THE 1–MONTH, 2–MONTH, 4–MONTH, AND 6–MONTH 20
WELL CHILD VISIT VISITS WITHIN THE FIRST YEA R OF THE CHILD ’S LIFE , AS 21
DETERMINED APPROPRIATE BY THE TREATING HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. 22
(C) (B) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL IDEN TIFY ACCEPTABLE 23
SCREENING TOOLS FOR CONDUCTING THE SCREE NINGS REQUIRED UNDER 24
SUBSECTION (B) (A) OF THIS SECTION. 25
(2) THE SCREENING TOOLS I DENTIFIED UNDER PARA GRAPH (1) OF 26
THIS SUBSECTION SHALL BE VALIDATED, ROUTINELY USED , FREE, EASY TO 27
ADMINISTER AND SCORE, AND AVAILABLE IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES. 28
(D) (C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ASSIST HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS WITH 29
ACCESSING RESOURCES AND REFERRAL SERVICE S THROUGH MARYLAND 30
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INTEGRATION IN PEDIATRIC PRIMARY CARE, MATERNAL 31
HEALTH INNOVATION PROGRAM, AND POSTPARTUM SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL TO 32
12 HOUSE BILL 1118
ASSIST PROVIDERS IN FINDING TIMELY AND E FFECTIVE CARE FOR IN DIVIDUALS 1
IDENTIFIED AS AT RIS K FOR A PERINATAL MENTAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH 2
CONDITION. 3
Article – Health Occupations 4
1–231. 5
(A) THIS SECTION APPLIES ONLY TO AN APPLICANT A LICENSEE OR 6
CERTIFICATE HOLDER WHO EVALUATES AND MA NAGES PREGNANCY OR 7
POSTPARTUM PERINATAL CARE WHILE ACTING WI THIN THE SCOPE OF TH E 8
APPLICANT’S LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE. 9
(B) (1) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , AN 10
APPLICANT FOR THE RENEWAL OF A LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY A HEALTH 11
OCCUPATIONS BOARD UNDER THIS ARTICLE WHO INTERACTS WITH THE PERINATAL 12
POPULATION SHALL PRO VIDE SATISFACTORY DO CUMENTATION WITH THE 13
RENEWAL APPLICATION THAT THE APPLICANT H AS COMPLETED AT LEAS T TWO 14
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT HOURS EACH HEALTH OCCUPATIONS BOARD THAT 15
REQUIRES A LICENSEE OR CERTIFICATE HOLDE R TO COMPLETE CONTIN UING 16
EDUCATION AS A CONDI TION OF THE RENEWA L OF THE LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE 17
SHALL GRANT AT LEAST 2 HOURS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS FOR EVERY 18
1 HOUR OF CONTINUING E DUCATION COMPLETED B Y THE LICENSEE OR 19
CERTIFICATE HOLDER ON PERINATAL MENTAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONDITIONS 20
IDENTIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER § 20–1803 OF THE 21
HEALTH – GENERAL ARTICLE. 22
(2) THE CONTINUING EDUCAT ION REQUIREMENT UNDE R 23
PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION SHALL APPLY ONLY TO AN APPLICANT’S FIRST 24
LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE RENEWAL AFTER APRIL 1, 2027. 25
(C) EACH HEALTH OCCUPATIO NS BOARD MAY ADOPT R EGULATIONS TO 26
CARRY OUT THIS SECTI ON, INCLUDING REGULATION S SPECIFYING WHICH 27
PROVIDERS ARE SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION ESTABLISHING 28
THE MAXIMUM NUMBER O F CONTINUING EDUCATI ON CREDITS THAT MAY BE 29
GRANTED UNDER THIS SECTION. 30
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, on or before December 1, 31
2026, the Maryland Health Care Commission shall: 32
(1) conduct an analysis in accordance with § 15 –1501 of the Insurance 33
Article on impact of: 34
HOUSE BILL 1118 13
(i) requiring the Maryland Medical Assistance Program, the State 1
Health Plan, and insurers and nonprofit health service plans that provide hospital, 2
medical, or surgical benefits to individuals or groups on an expense –incurred basis under 3
health insurance policies or contracts that are issued or delivered in the State and health 4
maintenance organizations that provide hospital, medical, or surgical benefits to 5
individuals or groups under contract that are issued or delivered in the State to provide 6
coverage for screening for perinatal mental behavioral health conditions: 7
1. at each prenatal visit; 8
2. at least once within 6 weeks after the insured or enrollee 9
gave birth; and 10
3. at each well child visit within the first year of the child’s 11
life; and 12
(ii) prohibiting the entities described in item (i) of this item from 13
subjecting the coverage required under item (i) of this item from: 14
1. imposing a copayment or coinsurance requirement or 15
deductible that is greater than the copayment or coinsurance requ irement or deductible 16
imposed by the entity for similar coverages; or 17
2. imposing any copayment or coinsurance requirement or 18
deductible; and 19
(2) report to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Health 20
Committee, in accordance with § 2 –1257 of the State Government Article, on its findings 21
from the analysis conducted in accordance with item (1) of this section. 22
SECTION 3. 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 1 of this Act shall 23
apply to all policies, contracts, and health benefit plans issued, delivered, or renewed in the 24
State on or after January 1, 2027. 25
SECTION 4. 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 1 Sections 1 and 2 26
of this Act shall take effect January 1, 2027. 27
SECTION 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 2 of this Act shall take 28
effect October 1, 2026. 29
SECTION 5. 7. 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, except as provided in 30
Section 4 Sections 5 and 6 Section 5 of this Act, this Act shall take effect October 1, 2026 31
July 1, 2026. 32