All Roll Calls
Yes: 179 • No: 0
MarylandHB 03772026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Physician Assistants and Midwives - Parity With Other Health Care Practitioners
Sponsored By: Steve Johnson (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Health OccupationsCommittee ChangesCommittees and CommissionsData -see also- Census; DemographicsDisabilitiesDisparityEmergencies -see also- PandemicsEthicsGood SamaritanHealth -see also- COVID19; EnvHlth; MedCon; etc.Health Care CommissionHealth Care Facilities -see also- Clinics; Hospices; etcHealth, Department ofHealth Maintenance Organizations -see also- Manage Care OrgsHealth Occupations -see also- (specific health occupations)ImmunizationIncarcerated IndividualsMedical Equipment and DevicesMedical TreatmentsMental and Behavioral Health -see also- Aut; Cogn; Dev; etc.MidwivesNurse PractitionersNurses -see also- Nurse Practitioners; Nursing AssistantsParents and GuardiansPetitionsPhysician AssistantsPhysicians -see also- MedExmnrs; Pediatr; Psychiatrists etc.PovertyPregnancyReportsStudies -see also- Commitees & Commissions; ReportsTimeWork, Labor, and Employment -see also- JobTrn; Leave; etc.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Easier capacity and guardianship certifications
Beginning October 1, 2026, a nurse practitioner or physician assistant can be the second clinician to certify that a patient lacks capacity, including for life‑sustaining treatment. One of the two must have examined the patient within two hours, with existing exceptions. In mental‑illness cases, the second certifier cannot be currently involved in the person’s treatment. A physician assistant can also sign the competency certificate that goes with a guardianship petition.
Easier proof to get in-home care
Starting October 1, 2026, a doctor, physician assistant, or certified nurse practitioner can certify that a person is at risk of nursing home placement. That certification helps people who will leave an institution, or are at risk without help, qualify for community attendant care so they can stay at home.
More clinicians for emergency mental health care
Beginning October 1, 2026, physician assistants can diagnose, petition, and sign certificates for emergency and inpatient mental health care. A PA and a doctor can assent to admit a child or teen to a State unit. Emergency petitions signed by a PA do not need immediate court review, and officers can transport on a petition signed by a listed clinician or endorsed by a court in the last 5 days. When certified, the admission application is complete, and no other placement is available, a Department-run facility must receive and evaluate the person within 12 hours.
Quicker infirmary care for pregnant inmates
Starting October 1, 2026, a physician assistant or certified midwife can order a pregnant incarcerated person admitted to a correctional infirmary. This expands who can authorize inpatient-level care in custody.
State covers some emergency psych costs
Starting October 1, 2026, the state pays for the first consultant exam by a doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner and for transport to the emergency facility when you cannot pay or have no insurance for the emergency. If you are later admitted involuntarily, the state also pays for transport to the admitting hospital. Hospitals are paid at Health Services Cost Review Commission rates when those apply.
Easier access to emergency epinephrine
Beginning October 1, 2026, physician assistants can prescribe and dispense emergency epinephrine to program certificate holders. Youth camps can use this program when a clinician or EMS is not immediately available. PAs who act in good faith have the same legal protection as doctors when prescribing or dispensing emergency epinephrine.
HMOs must let you choose PAs
Beginning October 1, 2026, HMOs must give members a chance to pick a primary clinician from available providers, including physician assistants and certified or licensed midwives. The law does not require HMOs to add PAs to their provider panels.
PAs can certify state sick leave
From October 1, 2026, physician assistants can sign the medical certificate a state employee needs to be paid when using sick leave for five or more workdays in a row. This makes it easier for state workers to complete longer sick leave claims.
Legal definition change for PAs
Beginning October 1, 2026, state law changes the meaning of “health care practitioner” to exclude physician assistants in provisions that use that defined term. This is a legal classification change; it can shift which rules apply to PAs in those sections.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Steve Johnson
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Tiffany T. Alston
Democratic • House
Heather Bagnall
Democratic • House
Bonnie Cullison
Democratic • House
Guy Guzzone
Democratic • Senate
Aaron M. Kaufman
Democratic • House
Nicholaus R. Kipke
Republican • House
Lesley J. Lopez
Democratic • House
Ashanti Martinez
House
Samuel I. Rosenberg
Democratic • House
Kim Ross
Democratic • House
Deni Taveras
Democratic • House
Jennifer White Holland
Democratic • House
Teresa Woorman
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/6/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 46 • No: 0 • Other: 1
House vote • 3/12/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 133 • No: 0 • Other: 5
Actions Timeline
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 223
4/28/2026Returned Passed
4/7/2026HouseThird Reading Passed (46-0)
4/6/2026SenateFavorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
3/31/2026SenateFavorable Report by Finance
3/30/2026SenateReferred Finance
3/13/2026SenateThird Reading Passed (133-0)
3/12/2026HouseSecond Reading Passed with Amendments
3/10/2026HouseFavorable with Amendments {523120/1 Adopted
3/10/2026HouseFavorable with Amendments Report by Health
3/10/2026HouseHearing 2/04 at 1:00 p.m.
1/22/2026HouseFirst Reading Health
1/19/2026House
Bill Text
Third Reading
3/10/2026
First Reading
1/19/2026
Related Bills
SB 1007 — Prior Authorizations of State Debt - Alterations
SB 0940 — Environment - Water Quality Testing - Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels Action Plan
SB 0915 — State Board of Physicians - Delegation of Duties - Alterations
SB 0777 — Labor and Employment - Workforce Development - Hospital Employee Retraining and Placement Program and Workforce Development and Local Workforce Development Boards (Local Workforce Solutions Investment Act)
SB 0772 — Maryland Department of Health - Employment Training and Opportunity Database
SB 0742 — Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Developmental Disabilities Administration - Home- and Community-Based Services Eligibility Determinations (Maryland Protecting People With Disabilities Act)
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