Two Weeks Left! Bills that Crossed Over Get Hearings or Votes

Now that most viable bills have passed to the other house, they are already getting hearings, and some have already been voted directly out of committee. Bills that went to a vote without a hearing are those whose companion bill had been heard, and many of them had themselves already been approved. Among those that have been reported out include five healthcare bills, all of which have companion bills that passed the other chamber with identical language.

• HB 705 - Declaration of Rights - Right to Reproductive Freedom

• HB 812 - Health - Reproductive Health Services - Protected Information and Insurance Requirements

• HB 477 - Public Senior Higher Education Institutions - Reproductive Health Services Plans - Requirements

• HB 279 - Prescription Drug Affordability Board - Upper Payment Limits [companion to SB 202]

• SB 202 - Prescription Drug Affordability Board - Upper Payment Limits [companion to HB 279]

In addition, a few other priority bills have come out of committee in their original chamber and are headed for a vote on the House or Senate floor. For example, SB 87 - Office of the Attorney General - Correctional Ombudsman – was given a favorable report with amendments by the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, making it possible for it to pass as well. However, since this bill would be crossing over after the “Opposite Chamber Crossover Date,” it would be referred to the other House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, rather than going directly to the House Judiciary committee for consideration. We are still hopeful that it will pass before the session ends on April 10.

Coming Up this Week

The following priority bills will get their hearings in the opposite chamber this week. The procedures for bills that have crossed over are different. Those that have had a companion bill heard in the committee often do not have hearings, and if they do, only the bill sponsor is allowed to testify verbally unless there is opposition. We can still submit written testimony.

Tuesday, March 28 at 1:00 p.m.

• SB 460 – Maryland Medical Assistance Program – Gender–Affirming Treatment (Trans Health Equity Act) – identical to HB 283 passed by the House – in Health and Government Operations

• SB 798 – Declaration of Rights - Right to Reproductive Freedom – identical to HB 705 passed by the House – in Health and Government Operations

• SB 859– Reproductive Health Protection Act – no action by the House on its companion, HB 808 – in Judiciary

Wednesday, March 29 at 1:00 p.m.

• SB 786 - Health – Reproductive Health Services - Protected Information and Insurance Requirements – identical to HB 812 passed by the House – in Health and Government Operations

• SB 1 – Criminal Law - Wearing, Carrying, or Transporting Firearms - Restrictions (Gun Safety Act of 2023) – substantial overlap and differences with HB 824 passed by the House – in Judiciary

• SB 222 – Environment - Reducing Packaging Materials - Producer Responsibility - no action on companion HB 284 in the House – in Environment and Transportation

• HB 416 – Resources and Education for All Prisons (REAP) Act – no companion bill in the Senate – in Judicial Proceedings

Thursday, March 30 at 1:00 p.m.

• HB 109 – Task Force on Recycling Policy and Recycling and Waste Systems in Maryland – no companion bill in the Senate – in Education, Energy, and the Environment

• SB 601 – Maryland Health Benefit Exchange - State-Based Young Adult Health Insurance Subsidies Pilot Program - Sunset Extension – identical to HB 814 passed the House – in Health and Government Operations

• SB 806 – Maryland Health Benefit Exchange and Maryland Department of Health - Health Care and Dental Care Coverage for Undocumented Immigrants – Report – no action by the House on companion HB 363 – in Health and Government Operations

• SB 211 – Probation Before Judgment – Probation Agreements – nearly identical to HB 193 passed the House – in Judiciary

• SB 858 – Firearm Safety - Storage Requirements and Youth Suicide Prevention (Jaelynn's Law) – overlap and differences with HB 824 passed by the House – in Judiciary

• SB 876 – Baltimore Regional Transit Commission – Establishment – identical to HB 794 passed by the House – in Appropriations

Scheduling is very fluid now, so stay up to date by checking our Table of Upcoming Hearings for bill hearings and Current Status of Priority Bills for voting sessions. These tables are updated continually, although some events can happen with little or no advance notice.