MarylandHB 02732026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Health Insurance – Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Enrollment – Effective Dates

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Health - InsuranceHealth -see also- COVID19; EnvHlth; MedCon; etc.Health Insurance -see also- ACA; HMOs; MCOsSmall BusinessTime

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Court-ordered dependents covered on order date

Beginning October 1, 2026, when you add a dependent because of a child support order or other court order, coverage starts on the order’s effective date. For plans sold on the state’s small-business exchange (SHOP), if the exchange allows it and you choose it, coverage can instead start the first day of the next month after the exchange receives your plan choice. If it is received on the 16th through the last day of the month, coverage starts the first day of the second month after receipt. These dates apply during the plan’s special enrollment period.

Pregnancy triggers special enrollment in small-business plans

Beginning October 1, 2026, all small-employer health plans offer a special enrollment when pregnancy is confirmed by a health care practitioner. An eligible employee who becomes pregnant can enroll. An eligible employee’s spouse or dependent who becomes pregnant can enroll if otherwise eligible for the plan. These rules apply to small-business group coverage.

Small-business plans: start dates after death or divorce

Beginning October 1, 2026, if the state’s small-business exchange (SHOP) allows this special enrollment, you can enroll after a death or after a divorce or legal separation. After a death, coverage starts the first day of the month after you pick a plan. If the exchange uses receipt-based dates, coverage starts the first day of the next month when your plan choice is received from the 1st–15th, or the first day of the second month when received from the 16th–last day. After a divorce or legal separation, coverage starts the first day of the next month when the exchange receives your plan choice, or the first day of the second month if received on the 16th–last day.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 180 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/6/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 46 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 2/12/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 134 • No: 0 • Other: 6

Actions Timeline

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 137
4/14/2026
Returned Passed
4/7/2026House
Third Reading Passed (46-0)
4/6/2026Senate
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
3/31/2026Senate
Favorable Report by Finance
3/30/2026Senate
Referred Finance
2/13/2026Senate
Third Reading Passed (134-0)
2/12/2026House
Second Reading Passed
2/10/2026House
Favorable Adopted
2/10/2026House
Favorable Report by Health
2/9/2026House
Hearing 1/29 at 2:00 p.m.
1/20/2026House
First Reading Health
1/14/2026House
Pre-filed
9/16/2025House

Bill Text

Enacted
4/14/2026
PDF
Third Reading
2/10/2026
PDF
First Reading
1/14/2026
PDF

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