Public Health Reform Act

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.
*sb0790*

SENATE BILL 790
J1 6lr2320
CF HB 1109
By: Senator Lam (By Request – Commission on Public Health)
Introduced and read first time: February 6, 2026
Assigned to: Finance and Budget and Taxation
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
Senate action: Adopted
Read second time: March 24, 2026

CHAPTER ______

AN ACT concerning 1

Public Health Reform Act 2

FOR the purpose of requiring the Maryland Department of Health to organize the 3
Maryland Medical Reserve Corps; requiring the Maryland Department of Health to 4
notify each health officer for a county of a certain procurement to offer the 5
opportunity for the county health department to join the procurement; authorizing 6
a health officer for a county to make an appointment to a position without the 7
approval of the Maryland Department of Health or the Department of Budget and 8
Management if the position is fully f unded without State funding; authorizing a 9
health officer for a county to enter into certain contracts if the Secretary of Health 10
does not respond to a request for approval within a certain time period; altering the 11
membership, leadership selection process, and staffing of the Commission on Public 12
Health; requiring the Commission on Public Health to provide oversight over the 13
implementation of recommendations made by the Commission on Public Health; 14
establishing the Public Health Workforce Development Fund; requiring that interest 15
earnings of the Public Health Workforce Development Fund remain in the Public 16
Health Workforce Development Fund; authorizing the Maryland Department of 17
Health and the Health Services Cost Review Commission to transfer money from the 18
Population Health Improvement Fund to the Public Health Workforce Development 19
Fund in a manner consistent with a certain agreement; requiring the Department of 20
Legislative Services to develop a process to assess the health equity impacts of 21
relevant legi slation; altering the membership of the Maryland Corps Program 22
Advisory Board; requiring the Commission to establish a Community Benefits 23
Modernization subcommittee; requiring the Maryland Department of Health to 24
convene a certain workgroup; and generally relating to public health. 25
2 SENATE BILL 790

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 1
Article – Health – General 2
Section 1–101(a) and (e), 13–5102, and 13–5602(a) 3
Annotated Code of Maryland 4
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 5

BY adding to 6
Article – Health – General 7
Section 2–104.1; 2–1101 through 2–1103 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 11. 8
Maryland Medical Reserve Corps”; and 24–2801 and 24–2802 to be under the 9
new subtitle “Subtitle 28. Public Health Workforce Development Fund” 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 12

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 13
Article – Health – General 14
Section 3–306, 13–5103 through 13–5106, and 13–5602(f) 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 17

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 18
Article – Health – General 19
Section 13–5107 20
Annotated Code of Maryland 21
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 22
(As enacted by Chapter 787 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2024) 23

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 24
Article – State Finance and Procurement 25
Section 6–226(a)(2)(i) and (ii) 26
Annotated Code of Maryland 27
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 28

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 29
Article – State Finance and Procurement 30
Section 6–226(a)(2)(iii)212. and 213. 31
Annotated Code of Maryland 32
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 33

BY adding to 34
Article – State Finance and Procurement 35
Section 6–226(a)(2)(iii)214. 36
Annotated Code of Maryland 37
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 38

BY adding to 39
SENATE BILL 790 3

Article – State Government 1
Section 2–1505.3 2
Annotated Code of Maryland 3
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 4

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 5
Article – State Government 6
Section 21–203(a) 7
Annotated Code of Maryland 8
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 9

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 10
Article – State Government 11
Section 21–203(b) 12
Annotated Code of Maryland 13
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 14

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 15
Chapter 385 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2023, as amended by Chapter 16
787 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2024 17
Section 2 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

1–101. 22

(a) In this article the following words have the meanings indicated. 23

(e) “Health officer” means, unless expressly provided otherwise, the Baltimore 24
City Commissioner of Health or the health officer of a county. 25

2–104.1. 26

(A) BEFORE PROCURING A SY STEM FOR COLLECTING AND STORING 27
ELECTRONIC HEALTH RE CORDS, AS DEFINED IN § 19–142 OF THIS ARTICLE , THE 28
DEPARTMENT SHALL CONSULT WITH LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS TO ASSESS THE 29
NECESSARY QUALITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS SYSTEM. 30

(B) IF THE DEPARTMENT PROCURES A SYSTEM FOR COLLECTIN G AND 31
STORING ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL NOTIFY EACH 32
HEALTH OFFICER FOR A COUNTY AND OFFER THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT 33
THE OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN THE PROCUREMENT. 34

4 SENATE BILL 790

SUBTITLE 11. MARYLAND MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS. 1

2–1101. 2

IN THIS SUBTITLE , “CORPS” MEANS THE MARYLAND MEDICAL RESERVE 3
CORPS. 4

2–1102. 5

(A) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ORGA NIZE THE MARYLAND MEDICAL 6
RESERVE CORPS. 7

(B) THE PURPOSE OF THE CORPS IS TO PROVIDE A STATEWIDE VOLUNTEER 8
NETWORK INTEGRATED INTO COMMUNITY EMERGENCY SYSTEMS TO FACIL ITATE A 9
COORDINATED APPROACH TO VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT. 10

(C) THE CORPS SHALL INCLUDE CLINICAL AND NONCLINICAL PERSONNEL 11
CAPABLE OF ASSIS TING DURING CRISES T HAT STRAIN THE HEALT H CARE SYSTEM 12
OR PUBLIC HEALTH SYS TEM, INCLUDING PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES, DISEASE 13
OUTBREAKS, AND NATURAL DISASTERS. 14

2–1103. 15

THE DEPARTMENT SHALL: 16

(1) MAINTAIN AN EFFICIENT AND MODERN ELECTRONI C 17
REGISTRATION SYSTEM TO REGISTER AN D TRACK VOLUNTEERS F OR THE CORPS; 18
AND 19

(2) DESIGNATE A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY SURGE 20
COORDINATOR AMONG ITS STAFF TO COORDINATE AND PLAN IMPROVEMENT S TO 21
THE CORPS. 22

3–306. 23

(a) Except as provided by agreement between the Secretary and the local 24
governing body, and in addition to the powers and duties set forth elsewhere, each health 25
officer has the powers and duties set forth in this section. 26

(b) A health officer may obtain samples of food and drugs for analysis. 27

(c) (1) The health officer for a county is the executive officer and secretary of 28
the county board of health. 29

SENATE BILL 790 5

(2) (I) Except in Montgomery County, the health officer for a county 1
shall appoint the staff of the county health department. 2

(II) IF A POSITION WITH A COUNTY HEALTH DEPART MENT IS 3
FULLY FUNDED WITHOUT THE USE OF STATE FUNDING, THE HEALTH OFFICER FOR 4
THE COUNTY MAY APPOINT AN INDIVIDUAL TO THE POSITION WITHOUT APPROVAL 5
BY THE SECRETARY OR THE SECRETARY OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT. 6

(3) The health officer for a county shall have an office at an accessible place 7
in the county. 8

(4) (i) The health officer for a county shall enforce throughout the 9
county: 10

1. Under the direction of the Secretary, the State health laws 11
and the policies, rules, and regulations that the Secretary adopts; and 12

2. Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, 13
under the direction of the county board of health, the rules and regulations that the county 14
board of health adopts. 15

(ii) The health officer for a county shall enforce in each municipality 16
or special taxing district in the county the rules or regulations that the county board of 17
health adopts unless the municipality or district has a charter provision or ordinance that: 18

1. Covers the same subject ma tter as the county rule or 19
regulation; 20

2. Is at least as restrictive as the county rule or regulation; 21
and 22

3. Includes provisions for enforcement. 23

(5) A health officer shall perform any investigation or other duty or 24
function directed by the S ecretary or the county board of health and submit appropriate 25
reports to them. 26

(d) (1) Subject to the consent of the governing body of the county and the 27
written approval of the Secretary, a health officer for a county may enter into a contract or 28
any other written agreement to assist or participate in the delivery of health care services 29
with a person that is authorized to provide, finance, coordinate, facilitate, or otherwise 30
deliver health care services in the State. 31

(2) IF THE SECRETARY DOES NOT RE SPOND TO A REQUEST F OR 32
WRITTEN APPROVAL WITHIN 7 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING THE REQUEST, THE HEALTH 33
OFFICER FOR THE COUNTY MAY ENTER THE CONTRACT OR WRITTEN AGREEMENT. 34
6 SENATE BILL 790

(e) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a health officer 1
for a count y and the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health may authorize the county 2
health department to retain all collections, including any unspent balance at the end of a 3
fiscal year, received from: 4

(i) Fees authorized under this article; 5

(ii) Fees authorized under the Environment Article; and 6

(iii) Fees derived from charges authorized under Title 16, Subtitle 2 7
of this article. 8

(2) The authority to retain collections under paragraph (1) of this 9
subsection does not apply: 10

(i) To license fees set by a county governing body or Baltimore City 11
and paid to the chief financial officer of the county or Baltimore City as authorized under 12
State law; 13

(ii) To fees that must be transferred to the General Fund under § 14
4–217(c) of this article fro m the fees collected for each birth certificate issued or report 15
issued that a search was made but the requested record is not on file; or 16

(iii) If the retention of collections would be inconsistent with 17
established local practice. 18

(3) Each health officer for a county and the Baltimore City Commissioner 19
of Health shall report annually to the Secretary on the use of collections retained under 20
paragraph (1) of this subsection. 21

(F) A HEALTH OFFICER FOR A COUNTY MAY SERVE ON THE BOARD OF A 22
HOSPITAL IN THE STATE AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF A LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT 23
ONLY IF THE HEALTH O FFICER DOES NOT ACCE PT PAYMENT FOR THE H EALTH 24
OFFICER’S SERVICE ON THE BOARD. 25

[(f)] (G) The Secretary may delegate duties, powers, and functions as provided 26
in this article to a health officer for a county or other county official authorized to 27
administer and enforce health and environmental laws. 28

13–5102. 29

There is a Commission on Public Health. 30

13–5103. 31

SENATE BILL 790 7

(a) The Commission consists of the following members: 1

(1) One member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of 2
the Senate; 3

(2) One member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the 4
House; 5

(3) THE SECRETARY OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT, OR THE 6
SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE; 7

(4) THE SECRETARY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, OR THE 8
SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE; 9

[(3)] (5) The Deputy Secretary for Public Health, or the Deputy 10
Secretary’s designee; 11

[(4)] (6) The Deputy Secretary for [Behavioral Health] OPERATIONS, or 12
the Deputy Secretary’s designee; 13

[(5) The Director of the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities, or 14
the Director’s designee; and] 15

(7) THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE CHESAPEAKE 16
REGIONAL INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR OUR PATIENTS (CRISP), OR THE CHIEF 17
EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S DESIGNEE; AND 18

[(6)] (8) The following members, appointed by the Governor: 19

(i) Three local health officers of whom: 20

1. One shall be from a rural jurisdiction; 21

2. One shall be from a suburban jurisdiction; and 22

3. One shall be from an urban jurisdiction; 23

(ii) Two representatives from State academic institutions with 24
expertise in public health systems; AND 25

(iii) A faculty member from a public health program at a historically 26
Black college or university[; and]. 27

8 SENATE BILL 790

[(iv)] (B) [At least three but not more than five ] THE GOVERNOR 1
MAY APPOINT NOT MORE THAN TWO members of the public with [demonstrated interest] 2
EXPERIENCE in public health [and experience in at least one of the following areas: 3

1. Health equity; 4

2. Information technology; 5

3. Workforce; and 6

4. Population health ] AS ADDITIONAL MEMBER S OF THE 7
COMMISSION. 8

[(b) In performing the duties of the Commission, the Commission shall consult 9
with, as appropriate and necessary: 10

(1) The Maryland Health Care Commission; 11

(2) The Health Services Cost Review Commission; 12

(3) The Maryland Community Health Resources Commission; 13

(4) The Department of Budget and Management; 14

(5) The Department of General Services; 15

(6) The Maryland Department of Disabilities; 16

(7) The State–designated health data utility; and 17

(8) Any other State agency as appropriate.] 18

(c) (1) The Commission [shall] MAY establish [the following] workgroups[: 19

(i) Funding; 20

(ii) Governance and organizational capabilities; 21

(iii) Workforce; 22

(iv) Data and information technology; and 23

(v) Communication and public engagement ] AT THE DISCRETION 24
OF THE COMMISSION. 25

SENATE BILL 790 9

(2) [Each workgroup established under paragraph (1) of this subsection 1
shall include: 2

(i) Two members of the Commission; and 3

(ii) Members of the public with relevant experience in the subject 4
matter of the workgroup who may include: 5

1. Primary and specialty care practitioners; 6

2. Payors; 7

3. Consumer advocates; 8

4. Hospital executives; 9

5. Safety net health care providers; 10

6. Public health practitioners; 11

7. Community–based organizations; and 12

8. Faith–based organizations ] THE CHAIR OF THE 13
COMMISSION MAY APPOINT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO A WORKGROUP. 14

[(3) The purpose of the workgroups established under paragraph (1) of this 15
subsection is to foster broad engagement and provide expertise for the purpose of informing 16
the work and recommendations of the Commission.] 17

(d) To the extent practicable and consistent with federa l and State law, the 18
membership of the Commission and workgroups established under this section shall reflect 19
the racial, ethnic, and gender diversity of the State. 20

(e) (1) [The] SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION A ND 21
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED I N PARAG RAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE Commission 22
shall [be cochaired by: 23

(1) One member appointed under subsection (a)(6)(i) of this section, 24
designated by the Governor; 25

(2) One member appointed under subsection (a)(6)(ii) of this section, 26
designated by the Governor; and 27

(3) The member appointed under subsection (a)(6)(iii) of this section ] 28
SELECT A CHAIR AND A VICE CHAIR FROM AMONG ITS MEMBERS. 29

10 SENATE BILL 790

(2) TO QUALIFY TO SERVE A S CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION, THE 1
MEMBER MUST AGREE TO PROVIDE STAFF FOR THE COMMISSION ON SELECTION AS 2
CHAIR. 3

(3) THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION MAY NOT SELECT AS CHAIR 4
A MEMBER LISTED IN SUBSECTION (A)(3), (4), (5), OR (6) OF THIS SECTION. 5

(f) A member of the Commission: 6

(1) May not receive compensation as a member of the Commission; but 7

(2) Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State 8
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 9

13–5104. 10

(A) The [academic institutions represented by the cochairs ] CHAIR of the 11
Commission shall provide staff support for the Commission. 12

(B) IF THE CHAIR FAILS TO PROVIDE STAFFING FOR THE COMMISSION, THE 13
MEMBERS SHALL SELECT A NEW CHAIR IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 13–5103(E) OF THIS 14
SUBTITLE. 15

13–5105. 16

(A) The purpose of the Co mmission is to make recommendations to improve the 17
delivery of foundational public health services in the State. 18

(B) THE COMMISSION SHALL PROV IDE OVERSIGHT OVER GUIDANCE FOR 19
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS. 20

(C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL P ROVIDE AN UPDATE REG ARDING THE 21
IMPLEMENTATION OF TH E COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE 22
COMMISSION EACH QUARTER. 23

13–5106. 24

(a) The Commission shall assess the foundational public health capabilities of the 25
Department and local health departments in the State. 26

(b) (1) In conducting the assessment required under subsection (a) of this 27
section, the Commission shall: 28

SENATE BILL 790 11

(i) Explain the impact of the foundational public health capabilities 1
on the State’s ability to address foundational public health areas, including as the 2
foundational public health areas relate to behavioral health; 3

(ii) Explain the impact of the foundational public health capabilities 4
on the State’s ability to respond to COVID –19, overdoses, maternal and infant mortality, 5
and other major public health challenges as appropriate; and 6

(iii) Provide public outreach to hold at least three public meetings in 7
different areas of the State that include an opportunity for public comment. 8

(2) In conducting the assessment required under s ubsection (a) of this 9
section, the Commission may: 10

(i) Request deidentified and publicly available data from the 11
Department, local health departments, and the State–designated health data utility; and 12

(ii) Request interviews with State and local health officials. 13

(c) (1) Based on the assessment conducted under subsection (a) of this section, 14
the Commission shall make recommendations for reform in the following areas: 15

(i) Organization of State and local public health departments; 16

(ii) Information technology, information exchange, and data and 17
analytics; 18

(iii) Workforce, including human resources and use of the [medical 19
reserve corps for public health] MARYLAND MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS ESTABLISHED 20
UNDER TITLE 2, SUBTITLE 11 OF THIS ARTICLE; 21

(iv) Procurement, including oversight of contractors; 22

(v) Funding; 23

(vi) Communication and public engagement; and 24

(vii) Any other area considered appropriate by the Commission. 25

(2) The recommendations made under paragraph (1) of this subsection 26
shall include the funding or legislation required to implement the recommendation, if any. 27

(3) The Commission shall justify each recommendation made under 28
paragraph (1) of this subsection based on how the recommendation contributes to the 29
provision of foundational public health services. 30

12 SENATE BILL 790

(4) (i) The Commission shall make a draft of its recommendations 1
available for public comment for 30 days. 2

(ii) The final report of the Commission shall include a response to 3
any substantive public comment received on the draft recommendations. 4

(5) (i) The Commission shall use best efforts to reach consensus on its 5
recommendations. 6

(ii) If the Commission cannot reach consensus on its 7
recommendations, the Commission shall include the opportunity f or dissenting comments 8
in the Commission’s final report. 9

13–5107. 10

[(a)] On or before [December 1, 2023 ] JANUARY 1 EACH YEAR, the Commission 11
shall submit [an interim ] A report ON THE IMPLEMENTATIO N OF ITS 12
RECOMMENDATIONS AND BARRIERS TO IMPLEMEN TATION to the Governor and, in 13
accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the Senate Budget and Taxation 14
Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, the House Appropriations Committee, and the 15
House Health [and Government Operations] Committee. 16

[(b) On or before December 1, 2024, the Commission shall submit an interim 17
report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 18
2–1257 of the State Government Article, the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, the 19
Senate Finance Committee, the House Appropriations Committee, and the House Health 20
and Government Operations Committee. 21

(c) On or before October 1, 2025, the Commission shall submit a final report of its 22
findings and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance w ith § 2 –1257 of the 23
State Government Article, the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, the Senate Finance 24
Committee, the House Appropriations Committee, and the House Health and Government 25
Operations Committee.] 26

13–5602. 27

(a) There is a Population Health Improvement Fund. 28

(f) (1) Subject to [paragraph] PARAGRAPHS (2) AND (3) of this subsection, 29
the Fund may be used only for expenses associated with statewide population health 30
improvement initiatives in alignment with the statewide health equity plan as directed by 31
the Secretary. 32

(2) Activities paid for by the Fund must support the goal of meeting the 33
statewide population health targets outlined in the AHEAD Model State Agreement with 34
SENATE BILL 790 13

the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and have at leas t one of the following 1
functions: 2

(i) Reducing rates of common preventable health conditions; 3

(ii) Addressing health–related social needs; or 4

(iii) Reducing or eliminating health disparities. 5

(3) THE DEPARTMENT AND THE HEALTH SERVICES COST REVIEW 6
COMMISSION MAY, IN A MANNER CONSISTE NT WITH THE AHEAD MODEL STATE 7
AGREEMENT, TRANSFER MONEY FROM THE FUND TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH 8
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FUND ESTABLISHED UNDE R § 24–2802 OF THIS 9
ARTICLE. 10

SUBTITLE 28. PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FUND. 11

24–2801. 12

IN THIS SUBTITLE , “FUND” MEANS THE PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE 13
DEVELOPMENT FUND. 14

24–2802. 15

(A) THERE IS A PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FUND. 16

(B) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO SUPPORT TH E EDUCATION AND 17
TRAINING OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE. 18

(C) THE MARYLAND COMMUNITY HEALTH RESOURCES COMMISSION 19
SHALL ADMINISTER THE FUND. 20

(D) (1) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL , NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT 21
SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 22

(2) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND SEPARATELY , 23
AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACCOUNT FOR THE FUND. 24

(E) THE FUND CONSISTS OF: 25

(1) MONEY APPROPRIATED IN THE STATE BUDGET TO THE FUND; 26

(2) INTEREST EARNINGS OF THE FUND; 27

14 SENATE BILL 790

(3) ANY MONEY TRANSFERRED FROM THE POPULATION HEALTH 1
IMPROVEMENT FUND UNDER § 13–5602 OF THIS ARTICLE; AND 2

(4) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED FOR 3
THE BENEFIT OF THE FUND. 4

(F) THE FUND MAY BE USED ONLY TO SUPPORT THE EDUCA TION AND 5
TRAINING OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE. 6

(G) (1) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVEST THE MONEY OF THE FUND 7
IN THE SAME MANNER AS OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE INVESTED. 8

(2) ANY INTEREST EARNINGS OF THE FUND SHALL BE CREDITED TO 9
THE FUND. 10

(H) EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND MAY BE MADE ONLY IN ACCORDANCE 11
WITH THE STATE BUDGET. 12

Article – State Finance and Procurement 13

6–226. 14

(a) (2) (i) This paragraph does not apply in fiscal years 2024 through 2028. 15

(ii) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and unless 16
inconsistent with a federal law, grant agreement, or other federal requirement or with the 17
terms of a gift or settlement agreement, net interest on all State money allocated by the 18
State Treasurer under this section to special funds or accounts, and otherwise entitled to 19
receive interest earnings, as accounted for by the Comptroller, shall accrue to the General 20
Fund of the State. 21

(iii) The provisions of subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph do not 22
apply to the following funds: 23

212. the Department of Social and Economic Mobility Special 24
Fund; [and] 25

213. the Population Health Improvement Fund; AND 26

214. THE PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT 27
FUND. 28

Article – State Government 29

2–1505.3. 30
SENATE BILL 790 15

THE DEPARTMENT OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE 1
LEGISLATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE, SHALL DEVELOP A PROCESS TO ASSESS THE 2
HEALTH EQUITY IMPACTS OF RELEVANT LEGISLATION. 3

21–203. 4

(a) (1) There is a Maryland Corps Program Advisory Board. 5

(2) The Advisory Board consists of the following members: 6

(i) a Board Chair, appointed by the Governor; 7

(ii) two members jointly appointed by the President of the Senate 8
and the Speaker of the House: 9

1. one of whom must represent a service organization in the 10
State; and 11

2. one of whom shall be: 12

A. a current participant in a public service program; or 13

B. a former participant in a public service program whose 14
participation ended during the preceding 3 years; 15

(iii) one member appointed by the President of the Senate; 16

(iv) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House; and 17

(v) [four] FIVE members appointed by the Governor[,]: 18

1. one of whom shall be a representative from the Maryland 19
State Service Commission; AND 20

2. ONE OF WHOM SHALL BE A HEALTH OFFICER , AS 21
DEFINED IN § 1–101 OF THE HEALTH – GENERAL ARTICLE. 22

(b) In making appointments to the Advisory Board, the President, Speaker, and 23
Governor shall consider: 24

(1) the professional or personal experience of the individual in community 25
or other service, nonprofit management, civic engagement, or volunteerism; 26

(2) the cultural, geographic, racial, ethnic, and gender diversity of the 27
State; and 28
16 SENATE BILL 790

(3) an individual’s experience and knowledge in workforce development, 1
including regional workforce needs, training, career development programming, and 2
workforce investment boards. 3

Chapter 385 of the Acts of 2023, as amended by Chapter 787 of the Acts of 2024 4

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June 5
1, 2023. It shall remain effective for a period of [3] 5 years and 1 month and, at the end of 6
June 30, [2026] 2028, this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, 7
shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect. 8

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That it is the intent of the General 9
Assembly that the Maryland Medical Reserve Corps required to be organized under § 10
2–1102 of the Health – General Article, as enacted by Section 1 of this Act, replace the 11
Maryland Responds Health Reserve Corps. 12

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 13

(a) (1) The Commission on Public Health, in consultation with the Maryland 14
Department of Health and the Health Services Cost Review Commission, shall establish a 15
community benefits modernization subcommittee. 16

(2) The subcommittee may include mem bers and nonmembers of the 17
Commission. 18

(3) To the extent practicable, the membership of the subcommittee shall 19
reflect the racial, ethnic, and gender diversity of the State. 20

(b) The subcommittee shall: 21

(1) review federal and State requirements gove rning hospital community 22
benefit activities, including community health needs assessments and implementation 23
strategies, definitions of allowable activities, and reporting requirements; 24

(2) analyze a landscape assessment of other states’ community benef it 25
spending requirements and policies, including those related to the development of the 26
community health needs assessment and how implementation plans are operationalized; 27

(3) evaluate the scope and impact of community benefit activities 28
conducted by h ospitals in the State, including the processes for local community health 29
needs assessment, implementation plan development and deployment, and trends in 30
spending per allowable category; 31

(4) identify gaps that exist between community benefit investment and 32
State and local health priority areas; and 33

SENATE BILL 790 17

(5) develop recommendations to: 1

(i) modernize the State’s community benefit spending standards, 2
policies, and reporting requirements while focusing on how to maximize community benefit 3
investment to meet State health improvement priorities; and 4

(ii) ensure alignment of community benefit with State health 5
improvement priorities, including statutory or regulatory changes, funding, and reporting 6
requirements to modernize the community benefits in the State. 7

(c) The Chair of the Commission on Public Health shall provide staffing for the 8
subcommittee. 9

(d) (1) On or before August 1, 2027, the subcommittee shall submit a report of 10
its findings and recommendations to the Commission on Public Health. 11

(2) On or before September 1, 2027, the Commission on Public Health shall 12
submit a report of the subcommittee’s findings and recommendations to the Governor and, 13
in accordance with § 2 –1257 of the State Government Article, the Senate Budget and 14
Taxation C ommittee, the Senate Finance Committee, the House Appropriations 15
Committee, and the House Health Committee. 16

SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Maryland Department of 17
Health shall convene a workgroup with representatives from the Department of Budget 18
and Management and up to five representatives of local health officers to review local 19
health department recruiting and classification processes and identify potential methods 20
for increasing efficiencies related to the processes. 21

SECTION 3. 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 22
July 1, 2026. Section 3 of this Act shall remain effective for a period of 1 year and 6 months 23
and, at the end of December 31, 2027, Section 3 of this Act, with no further action required 24
by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect. 25

Approved:
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Governor.
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President of the Senate.
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Speaker of the House of Delegates.