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EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
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*sb0348*
SENATE BILL 348
J1, J3 6lr2497
By: Senator Jackson
Introduced and read first time: January 23, 2026
Assigned to: Finance
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
Senate action: Adopted
Read second time: February 25, 2026
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Hospitals and Freestanding Birthing Centers – High–Risk Pregnancies – 2
Communication After Discharge 3
FOR the purpose of altering the time period requirement that a hospital or freestanding 4
birthing center contact the birth parent after the delivery of a newborn following a 5
high–risk pregnancy in which a hospital or freestanding birthing center must call 6
the birthing parent to evaluate the bi rthing parent’s status and, as necessary, 7
provide certain information for a certain purpose to remove the requirement that the 8
contact be made through a call; and generally relating to hospitals and freestanding 9
birthing centers and high–risk pregnancies. 10
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 11
Article – Health – General 12
Section 19–310.5 and 19–3B–03.1 13
Annotated Code of Maryland 14
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 15
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 16
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 17
Article – Health – General 18
19–310.5. 19
2 SENATE BILL 348
(a) If a newborn is delivered in a hospital following a high –risk pregnancy, the 1
hospital shall: 2
(1) Complete a postpartum infant and maternal referral form and submit 3
the form to the local health department for the county in which the birthing parent resides; 4
(2) Provide to the birthing parent resources and information specific to the 5
circumstances of the birthing parent, including information regarding the risks, signs, 6
preventive measures, and treatment needs for postpartum complications, including 7
cardiovascular conditions, chronic disease, substance misuse, and mental health 8
conditions; and 9
(3) Call CONTACT the birthing parent at least 24, but not later than [48] 10
72, hours after discharging the parent to evaluate the parent’s status and, as necessary, 11
provide information about postpartum complications. 12
(b) On or before October 1 each year, each local health department shall submit 13
to the Department a report that incl udes the number and type of referrals made based on 14
the referral forms submitted to the local health department in accordance with subsection 15
(a)(1) of this section. 16
19–3B–03.1. 17
(a) If a newborn is delivered in a freestanding birthing center following a 18
high–risk pregnancy, the freestanding birthing center shall: 19
(1) Complete a postpartum infant and maternal referral form and submit 20
the form to the local health department for the county in which the birthing parent resides; 21
(2) Provide to the birthing parent resources and information specific to the 22
circumstances of the birthing parent, including information regarding the risks, signs, 23
preventive measures, and treatment needs for postpartum complications, including 24
cardiovascular conditions, chroni c disease, substance misuse, and mental health 25
conditions; and 26
(3) Call CONTACT the birthing parent at least 24, but not later than [48] 27
72, hours after discharging the parent to evaluate the parent’s status and, as necessary, 28
provide information about postpartum complications. 29
(b) On or before October 1 each year, each local health department shall submit 30
to the Department a report that includes the number and type of referrals made based on 31
the referral forms submitted to the local health department in accordance with subsection 32
(a)(1) of this section. 33
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 34
October 1, 2026. 35