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*hb1372*
HOUSE BILL 1372
J2, J1 EMERGENCY BILL (6lr2541)
ENROLLED BILL
— Health/Finance —
Introduced by Delegate Solomon (By Request – Joint Audit and Evaluation
Committee) and Delegates Alston, Bagnall, Cullison, Guzzone, Hill,
Hutchinson, Kaufman, Kipke, Lopez, Martinez, M. Morgan, Reilly,
Rosenberg, Ross, Taveras, White Holland, and Woorman
Read and Examined by Proofreaders:
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, for his approval this
_______ day of ___________ ____ at ________________________ o’clock, ________M.
______________________________________________
Speaker.
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Public Health – Office of Health Care Quality Information and Maryland 2
Department of Health Centralization Commission 3
FOR the purpose of requiring the Maryland Health Care Commission, in collaboration with 4
the Office of Health Care Quality within the Maryland Department of Health, to 5
develop a process to receive and publish certain inspection information on a certain 6
website; establishing the Maryland Department of Health Centralization 7
Commission to provide certain advice and recommendations relating to the 8
relationship between the Maryland Department of Health and the health 9
occupations boards; requiring the Secretary of Information Technology to ensure 10
that minimum cybersecurity requirements are met by all health occupations boards 11
each health occupations board to annually report certain information to the 12
2 HOUSE BILL 1372
Department of Information Technology ; and generally relating to t he sharing of 1
inspection information and the oversight of health occupations boards in the State. 2
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 3
Article – Health – General 4
Section 19–109(b) 5
Annotated Code of Maryland 6
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 7
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 8
Article – Health Occupations 9
Section 1–102 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 12
BY adding to 13
Article – Health Occupations 14
Section 1–103 and 1–104 to be under the amended subtitle “Subtitle 1. Definitions 15
and Policy” 16
Annotated Code of Maryland 17
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 18
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 19
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 20
Article – Health – General 21
19–109. 22
(b) In addition to the duties set forth elsewhere in this subtitle, the Commission 23
shall: 24
(1) Adopt rules and regulations that relate to its meetings, minutes, and 25
transactions; 26
(2) Keep minutes of each meeting; 27
(3) Prepare annually a budget proposal that includes the estimated income 28
of the Commission and proposed expenses for its administration and operation; 29
(4) Beginning December 1, 2000, and each December 1 thereafter, submit 30
to the Governor, the Secretary, and, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, 31
the General Assembly an annual report on the operations and activities of the Commission 32
during the preceding fiscal year, including: 33
(i) A copy of each summary, compilation, and supplementary report 34
required by this subtitle; and 35
HOUSE BILL 1372 3
(ii) Any other fact, suggestion, or policy recommendation that the 1
Commission considers necessary; [and] 2
(5) Except for confidential or privileged medical or patient information, 3
make: 4
(i) Each report filed and each summary, compilation, and report 5
required under this subtitle available for public inspection at the office of the Commission 6
during regular business hours; and 7
(ii) Each summary, compilation, and report available to any other 8
State agency on request; AND 9
(6) IN COLLABORATION WITH THE OFFICE OF HEALTH CARE 10
QUALITY, DEVELOP A PROCESS TO RECEIVE THE FOLLOWIN G INFORMATION AND 11
PUBLISH IT ON THE COMMISSION’S MARYLAND QUALITY REPORTING WEBSITE FOR 12
EACH APPLICABLE FACILITY: 13
(I) THE DATE OF THE OFFICE’S MOST RECENT INSPEC TION; 14
AND 15
(II) ANY ASSOCIATED RATING S OR OTHER QUALITY M ETRICS 16
CALCULATED BY THE OFFICE BASED ON THE MOST RECENT INSPECTION; AND 17
(III) THE DATE OF THE NEXT SCHEDULED INSPECTION; AND 18
(IV) IF APPLICABLE, A STATEMENT THAT THE FACILITY HAS NOT 19
BEEN INSPECTED DURIN G THE TIME FRAME REQ UIRED BY STATUTE OR 20
REGULATION. 21
Article – Health Occupations 22
Subtitle 1. Definitions AND POLICY. 23
1–102. 24
(a) It is the policy of the State that health occupations should be regulated an d 25
controlled as provided in this article to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. 26
(b) The health occupations boards established by this article, the majority of 27
whose members are licensed or certified under this article, are created to function as 28
independent boards, with the intent that a peer group is best qualified to regulate, control, 29
and otherwise discipline in a fair and unbiased manner the licensees or certificate holders 30
who practice in the State. 31
4 HOUSE BILL 1372
1–103. 1
(A) IN THIS SECTION , “COMMISSION” MEANS THE MARYLAND 2
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CENTRALIZATION COMMISSION. 3
(B) THERE IS A MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CENTRALIZATION 4
COMMISSION. 5
(C) THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION IS TO PROV IDE ONGOING ADVICE 6
AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON HOW BEST TO IMPROVE 7
THE RELATIONSHIP INCREASE COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT AND 8
THE HEALTH OCCUPATIO NS BOARDS TO ACHIEVE GREATER EFFICIENCY , 9
TRANSPARENCY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY. 10
(D) THE COMMISSION CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS: 11
(1) ONE MEMBER OF THE SENATE OF MARYLAND, APPOINTED BY THE 12
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE; 13
(2) ONE MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES, APPOINTED BY THE 14
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE; 15
(3) THE SECRETARY, OR THE SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE; 16
(4) THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES; 17
(5) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE BOARD OF NURSING, 18
OR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S DESIGNEE; 19
(6) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE BOARD OF 20
PHYSICIANS, OR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S DESIGNEE; 21
(7) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE BOARD OF 22
PHARMACY, OR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S DESIGNEE; 23
(8) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE BOARD OF SOCIAL 24
WORK EXAMINERS, OR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S DESIGNEE; 25
(9) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE BOARD OF 26
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS, OR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S 27
DESIGNEE THREE MEMBERS WHO ARE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECT ORS, OR THE 28
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ’ DESIGNEES, OF HEALTH OCCUPATION S BOARDS NOT 29
HOUSE BILL 1372 5
OTHERWISE REPRESENTE D ON THE COMMISSION, DESIGNATED JOINTLY B Y THE 1
HEALTH OCCUPATIONS B OARDS NOT OTHERWISE REPRESENTED ON THE 2
COMMISSION; AND 3
(10) ANY ADDITIONAL MEMBER S APPOINTED BY THE SECRETARY 4
COCHAIRS THAT THE SECRETARY DETERMINES COCHAIRS, IN CONSULTATION WITH 5
THE HEALTH OCCUPATIO NS BOARDS , DETERMINE TO BE NECESSARY TO 6
ACCOMPLISH THE GOALS OF THE COMMISSION. 7
(E) THE SECRETARY, OR THE SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE, SHALL CHAIR THE 8
MEMBER OF THE SENATE OF MARYLAND AND THE MEMB ER OF THE HOUSE OF 9
DELEGATES APPOINTED UNDER SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION SHALL COCHAIR 10
THE COMMISSION. 11
(F) THE DEPARTMENT OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES SHALL PROVIDE STAFF 12
FOR THE COMMISSION. 13
(G) (1) EACH HEALTH OCCUPATIO N BOARD ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS 14
ARTICLE SHALL DESIGN ATE A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HEALTH OCCUPA TION 15
BOARD TO SERVE AS A LIAISON TO BE AVAILABLE TO WORK WITH THE COMMISSION. 16
(2) EACH HEALTH OCCUPATION BOARD SHALL PROVIDE, AS SOON AS 17
PRACTICABLE BUT NOT LA TER THAN 10 BUSINESS DAYS AFTER RECEIVING A 18
REQUEST, ANY INFORMATION REQUESTED BY THE COMMISSION. 19
(H) A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION: 20
(1) MAY NOT RECEIVE COMPE NSATION AS A MEMBER OF THE 21
COMMISSION; BUT 22
(2) IS ENTITLED TO REIMBU RSEMENT FOR EXPENSES UND ER THE 23
STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET. 24
(I) THE COMMISSION SHALL: 25
(1) PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING HOW BEST TO GRANT 26
AUTHORITY TO THE DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE THAT: 27
(I) EACH HEALTH OCCUPATIO N BOARD REMEDIES AUDIT 28
FINDINGS AND VIOLATIONS OF LAW, REGULATION, OR POLICY; AND 29
(II) EACH HEALTH OCCUPATION BOARD ESTABLISHES POLICIES 30
AND PROCEDURES FOR, AS APPLICABLE: 31
6 HOUSE BILL 1372
1. THE TIMELY PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS; 1
2. RESPONDING TO COMPLAINTS; 2
3. CONDUCTING INVESTIGATIONS AND INSPECTIONS; 3
4. CONDUCTING CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS CHECKS, 4
INCLUDING THE RECEIPT OF REVISED CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION FROM THE 5
CENTRAL REPOSITORY AFTER THE DATE OF AN INITIAL C RIMINAL HISTORY 6
RECORDS CHECK; 7
5. THE COLLECTION OF FEES AND THE ACCOUNTING OF 8
FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES , INCLUDING THE ASSESS MENT OF PENALTIES FO R 9
VIOLATIONS OF THOSE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES; 10
6. TAKING APPROPRIATE AC TIONS FOR LICENSE 11
APPLICATION FRAUD, INCLUDING THE ASSESSMENT OF FINES; AND 12
7. ANY OTHER AREAS IN WH ICH ACTION IS NEEDED , AS 13
DETERMINED BY THE SECRETARY COMMISSION; AND 14
(2) PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW BEST TO: 15
(I) ESTABLISH A SINGLE , COMPREHENSIVE LICENS URE 16
SYSTEM TO BE USED BY ALL HEALTH OCCUPATIONS BOARDS; 17
(II) AUTHORIZE THE USE OF HEALTH OCCUPATION BO ARD 18
REGULATORY FEES TO S UPPORT THE SINGLE , COMPREHENSIVE LICENS URE 19
SYSTEM; 20
(I) ESTABLISHING A COMPRE HENSIVE LICENSURE SY STEM 21
THAT MAY BE USED BY A HEALTH OCCUPATIONS BOARD; 22
(II) AUTHORIZING A HEALTH OCCUPATIONS BOARD THAT USES 23
THE COMPREHENSIVE LICENSURE SYSTEM TO USE LICENSE FEES TO SUPPORT THE 24
SYSTEM; 25
(III) CONSOLIDATE CONSOLIDATING ADMINISTRATIVE 26
FUNCTIONS TO ESTABLISH AND ENHANCE EFFICIENCY AND CONTROL IN ALL AREAS, 27
INCLUDING THROUGH THE USE OF EXISTING DEPARTMENT SYSTEMS FOR E–MAIL, 28
FINANCE, AND HUMAN RESOURCES SERVICES ACROSS ALL HEALTH OCCUPATIONS 29
BOARDS; AND 30
HOUSE BILL 1372 7
(IV) INCREASE INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS AND USAGE OF 1
THE MARYLAND QUALITY REPORTING WEBSITE OF THE MARYLAND HEALTH CARE 2
COMMISSION TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WITH SEL ECTING APPROPRIATE H EALTH 3
CARE SETTINGS. 4
(J) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER DECEMBER 1 EACH YEAR , BEGINNING IN 5
2026, THE COMMISSION SHALL REPO RT ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, 6
INCLUDING ANY DRAFT LEGISLATION, TO THE GOVERNOR AND, IN ACCORDANCE 7
WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE SENATE FINANCE 8
COMMITTEE, THE HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE, AND THE JOINT AUDIT AND 9
EVALUATION COMMITTEE. 10
1–104. 11
THE SECRETARY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SHALL ENSU RE THAT 12
MINIMUM CYBERSECURITY REQUIREMENTS ARE MET BY ALL HEALTH OCCUPATIONS 13
BOARDS ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS ARTICLE. 14
ON OR BEFORE JULY 1 EACH YEAR , EACH HEALTH OCCUPATI ONS BOARD 15
SHALL CERTIFY TO THE SECRETARY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY THAT THE 16
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS USED BY THE HEALTH OCCUPATIONS BOARD 17
MEET THE STATE MINIMUM CYBERSECURITY REQUIREMENTS. 18
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Maryland Health 19
Centralization Commission established under § 1 –103 of the Health Occupations Article, 20
as enacted by Section 1 of this Act, shall hold its first meeting on or before July 1, 2026. 21
SECTION 2. 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED , That this Act is an emergency 22
measure, is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health or safety, has 23
been passed by a yea and nay vote supported by three –fifths of all the members elected to 24
each of the two Houses of the General Assembl y, and shall take effect from the date it is 25
enacted. 26
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.