2021 Session
The 442nd session of General Assembly convened in Annapolis on January 13, 2021 and will be in session through April 12, 2021. As of mind February more than 1360 pieces of legislation have been filed. The MPS Legislative Committee has been hard at work since December (looking through pre-filed bills) screening bills, preparing testimony, etc. To date the Legislative Committee has reviewed more than 75 bills.
Support
HB135/SB84: Pharmacists – Administration of Self-Administered Medications and Maintenance Injectable Medications
HB200/SB479: Public Safety – Access to Firearms – Storage Requirements (Jaelynn’s Law)
HB209/SB168: Public Health – Maryland Suicide Fatality Review Committee
HB271: Public Safety – Law Enforcement Diversion Programs
HB496: Primary and Secondary Education – Mental Health Services – Expansion (Counselors Not Cops Act)
HB731: Telehealth Services – Expansion
HB774: Public Health – Adverse Childhood Experience Screening – Requirement and Practitioner Training Program
HB812/SB719: Maryland Department of Health – 2-1-1 Maryland – Mental Health Services Phone Call Program
HB915: Workgroup on Black, Latino, and Other Underrepresented Mental Health Professionals
SB74/HB88: Police Officers – Mental Health – Employee Assistance Programs
SB161/HB244: Task Force to Study Access to Mental Health Care in Higher Education
SB164/HB605: Veterans – Behavioral Health Services – Mental Health First Aid
SB299/HB548: Human Services – Trauma-Informed Care – Commission and Training
SB393/HB551: Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Health Insurance – Coverage and Reimbursement of Telehealth Services
SB520: Behavioral Health Services and Voluntary Placement Agreements – Children and Young Adults – Report Modifications
SB550: Sheila E. Hixson Behavioral Health Services Matching Grant Program for Service Members and Veterans – Establishment
SB0567/HB073: Telehealth Services – Expansion
SB638/HB919: Maryland Insurance Commissioner – Specialty Mental Health Services and Payment of Claims – Enforcement
Oppose
HB29: Standards for Involuntary Admissions and Petitions for Emergency Evaluation – Substance Use Disorder
SB41/HB132: Health – Mental and Emotional Disorders – Consent (Mental Health Access Initiative)
SB355: Family Law – Custody Evaluators – Qualifications and Training
HB461: Student Attendance – Excused Absences for Mental Health Needs
HB851: Corrections – Restrictive Housing – Serious Mental Illness
HB917: Corrections – Restrictive Housing – Prohibition
SB96: Behavioral Health Programs and Health Care Facilities – Safety and Community Relations Plans
Support With Amendment
HB108/SB286: Behavioral Health Crisis Response Services – Modifications
HB191/SB56: Maryland Medical Assistance Program – Psychiatrist and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Telemedicine Reimbursement – Sunset Termination
HB377: Commission on Student Behavioral Health and Mental Health Treatment
HB442/SB557: Suicide Treatment Improvements Act
HB1121/SB905: Juvenile Services – Workgroup to Develop Evidence-Based, Research-Based, and Culturally Competent Practices
HB1166: Education – Physical Restraint and Seclusion – Requirements, Reporting, and Training
SB3/HB123: Preserve Telehealth Access Act of 2021
SB398/HB537: Mental Health Law – Petitions for Emergency Evaluation – Procedures
SB446/HB689: Certificates for Involuntary Admission – Licensed Certified Social Worker–Clinical
Under Review
SB928/HB1344: Mental Health Law – Reform of Laws and Delivery of Service