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EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0738*
SENATE BILL 738
J5, J1, J4 6lr2502
By: Senator Augustine
Introduced and read first time: February 6, 2026
Assigned to: Finance
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Health Insurance – Required 2
Coverage – Mobile Crisis and Crisis Stabilization 3
FOR the purpose of requiring the Maryland Medical Assistance Program and certain 4
insurers, nonprofit health service pla ns, health maintenance organizations, and 5
managed care organizations to provide coverage for mobile crisis and crisis 6
stabilization services; and generally relating to coverage for mobile crisis and crisis 7
stabilization and the Maryland Medical Assistance Program and health insurance 8
carriers. 9
BY adding to 10
Article – Health – General 11
Section 15–102.3(p) and 15–103(a)(2)(xxix) 12
Annotated Code of Maryland 13
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 14
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 15
Article – Health – General 16
Section 15–103(a)(1) 17
Annotated Code of Maryland 18
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 19
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 20
Article – Health – General 21
Section 15–103(a)(2)(xxvii) and (xxviii) 22
Annotated Code of Maryland 23
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 24
BY adding to 25
Article – Insurance 26
Section 15–864 27
2 SENATE BILL 738
Annotated Code of Maryland 1
(2017 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 2
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 3
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 4
Article – Health – General 5
15–102.3. 6
(P) THE PROVISIONS OF § 15–864 OF THE INSURANCE ARTICLE APPLY TO 7
MANAGED CARE ORGANIZ ATIONS IN THE SAME M ANNER AS THEY APPLY TO 8
CARRIERS. 9
15–103. 10
(a) (1) The Secretary shall administer the Maryland Medical Assistance 11
Program. 12
(2) The Program: 13
(xxvii) Beginning on January 1, 2026, if providing coverage for 14
the delivery of anesthesia, shall provide coverage for the delivery of anesthesia in 15
accordance with § 15–862 of the Insurance Article; [and] 16
(xxviii) Beginning on January 1, 2026, shall provide calcium score 17
testing in accordance with § 15–863 of the Insurance Article; AND 18
(XXIX) BEGINNING ON JANUARY 1, 2027, SHALL PROVIDE 19
COVERAGE FOR MOBILE CRISIS AND CRISIS ST ABILIZATION SERVICES IN 20
ACCORDANCE WITH § 15–864 OF THE INSURANCE ARTICLE. 21
Article – Insurance 22
15–864. 23
(A) IN THIS SECTION , “MOBILE CRISIS AND CR ISIS STABILIZATION 24
SERVICES” MEANS IMMEDIATE, IN–PERSON MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS ASSESSMENT, 25
DE–ESCALATION, AND STABILIZATION. 26
(B) THIS SECTION APPLIES TO: 27
(1) INSURERS AND NONPROF IT HEALTH SERVICE PL ANS THAT 28
PROVIDE HOSPITAL, MEDICAL, OR SURGICAL BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS 29
SENATE BILL 738 3
ON AN EXPENSE –INCURRED BASIS UNDER HEALTH INSURANCE POL ICIES OR 1
CONTRACTS THAT ARE ISSUED OR DELIVERED IN THE STATE; AND 2
(2) HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZA TIONS THAT PROVIDE 3
HOSPITAL, MEDICAL, OR SURGICAL BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS UNDER 4
CONTRACTS THAT ARE ISSUED OR DELIVERED IN THE STATE. 5
(C) AN ENTITY SUBJECT TO THIS SECTION SHALL PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR 6
MOBILE CRISIS AND CRISIS STABILIZATION SERVICES. 7
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall apply to all 8
policies, contracts, and health benefit plans issued, delivered, or renewed in the State on or 9
after January 1, 2027. 10
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 11
January 1, 2027. 12