ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A slate of new Maryland laws addressing healthcare access, housing stability and worker protections will take effect Jan. 1, 2026, marking some of the most wide-ranging policy changes approved during the 2025 legislative session.
Tax Sale Protections For Homeowners And Heirs
New safeguards aimed at preventing the loss of owner-occupied and inherited properties through tax sales will take effect under House Bill 59. The law limits when certain residential properties may be sold for unpaid property taxes, particularly those that are owner-occupied or identified as heir properties. It also establishes a statewide registry allowing families to designate heir properties in advance, providing additional notice requirements and time to resolve tax debts before a sale can occur.
Faster Pediatric Hospital Transfers
Children transferred from one hospital to a specialized pediatric facility will no longer be subject to insurance prior authorization requirements under House Bill 1301. The law applies when a licensed physician determines a transfer is medically necessary, ensuring that insurance reviews do not delay time-sensitive pediatric care, including intensive and specialty treatment.
Cancer Screening Coverage For Firefighters
Counties operating self-insured health plans must provide cancer screenings for professional firefighters with no deductibles, copayments or coinsurance under the James “Jimmy” Malone Act. The legislation requires coverage for screenings tied to cancers scientifically linked to firefighting and applies regardless of whether the firefighter shows symptoms.
Expanded Access To Out-of-Network Specialists
Patients seeking care from out-of-network specialists will receive additional protections under House Bill 11 and Senate Bill 902. The law requires insurers to treat certain out-of-network services as in-network when an appropriate specialist is not reasonably available within the insurer’s network, limiting higher cost-sharing for patients and expanding access to specialty care.
Insulin Step-Therapy Restrictions
Access to insulin and other essential diabetes medications will expand under House Bill 970 and Senate Bill 646. The law prohibits insurers from requiring patients to try alternative medications through step-therapy protocols when insulin has already been prescribed, preventing treatment delays for individuals with diabetes.
Adult Hearing Aid Insurance Coverage
Insurance coverage for adult hearing aids will expand under House Bill 1355 and Senate Bill 641. The law requires certain health benefit plans to cover hearing aids for adults, subject to coverage limits established in statute, reducing out-of-pocket costs for individuals with hearing loss.
Rideshare Driver Earnings Transparency
Rideshare companies operating in Maryland will be required to provide drivers with detailed weekly earnings statements and annual summaries under House Bill 861. The reports must include trip counts, hours worked and total compensation, and companies must submit aggregate data annually to the Maryland Public Service Commission.
Domestic Violence Training For Barbers And Cosmetologists
Barbers and cosmetologists applying for initial licenses or renewals must complete at least one hour of domestic violence awareness training under House Bill 1547. The training focuses on recognizing signs of abuse and providing information on available resources, reflecting the professions’ frequent contact with the public.
State officials say agencies will issue guidance ahead of the January rollout to assist residents, employers and insurers in complying with the new requirements.
Additional laws passed during the 2025 legislative session took effect earlier in the year or will roll out later under staggered effective dates…