House Bill 97, enacted on July 1, 2022, established the Workgroup on Black, Latino, Asian

American Pacific Islander, and Other Underrepresented Behavioral Health Professionals (UBHP). The

law mandates that the Workgroup include representation from Maryland’s Historically Black Colleges and

Universities; hospital networks that primarily serve Black, Latino, or Asian American Pacific Islander

communities; behavioral health professionals; individuals who provide social services in the State; and

representatives of organizations, networks, or associations of behavioral health professionals that are

composed of or primarily work to represent and support Black, Latino, or Asian American Pacific

Islander communities, or other underrepresented behavioral health professionals.

House Bill 615 (Chapter 392), enacted on June 1, 2023, extended the deadline for the interim report to

July 1, 2024, and clarified that the Act would remain effective until June 30, 2025, on which a final report

must be submitted. The Workgroup began its work in November 2023 and submitted an interim report in June 2024. The current report was presented last month, to close out the work of the Workgroup.

Workgroup on Black Latino Asian American Pacific Islander and Other Underrepresented Behavioral Health Professionals – 6.20.25 (3)