All Roll Calls
Yes: 232 • No: 68
MarylandHB 06242026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Hospitals - Clinical Staffing Committees and Plans - Establishment (Safe Staffing Act of 2026)
Sponsored By: Jennifer White Holland (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Public HealthCommittees and CommissionsComplaintsDietitians and NutritionistsElectronic GovernmentEmergencies -see also- PandemicsEvaluations and ReviewsHealth -see also- COVID19; EnvHlth; MedCon; etc.Health Care CommissionHealth Occupations -see also- (specific health occupations)Hospitals -see also- Clinics; State HospitalsInternet -see also- Internet AccessNoticesNurses -see also- Nurse Practitioners; Nursing AssistantsNursing AssistantsPatientsPhysicians -see also- MedExmnrs; Pediatr; Psychiatrists etc.Plans and ProposalsPublic InformationReportsStandards and Best PracticesWork, Labor, and Employment -see also- JobTrn; Leave; etc.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Hospitals must create staffing plans
The chief nurse writes a draft staffing plan. The hospital’s staffing committee must finalize a plan that meets patient needs. The plan must weigh staff levels, how to cover gaps, skill mix, patient loads and acuity, and required federal and accreditor standards. The law sets deadlines to form committees and put plans in place; the text lists conflicting dates (mentions 2027 and 2028). Each year by July 1, the committee reviews last year’s results, updates the plan, and tracks complaints.
Hospitals must run staffing committees
The law requires every non‑state hospital to set up a clinical staffing committee. Small hospitals (150 beds or fewer) must have 3 managers and 2 employees. Larger hospitals (151+ beds) must have 5 managers and 4 employees. The committee may also include roles like nursing assistants, ER nurses, resident doctors, technicians, and a patient advocate. This requirement starts October 1, 2026.
Public staffing info and state reports
Hospitals must post each unit’s annual staffing plan and the actual daily staffing for every shift in a public area by January 1 each year. They must give a copy on request and repost if the plan changes. Starting July 1, 2030, hospitals also send an annual staffing report to the Maryland Health Care Commission. The Commission compiles these reports and posts them on its main website.
Staffing rules must match federal standards
Hospital staffing plans must follow the hospital’s accreditor standards and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Conditions of Participation. This law cannot require actions that conflict with those standards. State hospitals are not covered by these committee and plan rules. These protections and limits take effect October 1, 2026.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Jennifer White Holland
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Jackie Addison
Democratic • House
Nick Allen
Democratic • House
Tiffany T. Alston
Democratic • House
Heather Bagnall
Democratic • House
Harry Bhandari
Democratic • House
Adrian Boafo
Democratic • House
Regina T. Boyce
Democratic • House
Bonnie Cullison
Democratic • House
Kris Fair
Democratic • House
Guy Guzzone
Democratic • Senate
Terri L. Hill
Democratic • House
Aaron M. Kaufman
Democratic • House
Lesley J. Lopez
Democratic • House
Ashanti Martinez
House
Aletheia McCaskill
Democratic • House
Cheryl E. Pasteur
Democratic • House
Samuel I. Rosenberg
Democratic • House
Kim Ross
Democratic • House
Vaughn Stewart
Democratic • House
Deni Taveras
Democratic • House
Jamila J. Woods
Democratic • House
Teresa Woorman
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/11/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 96 • No: 35 • Other: 10
Senate vote • 4/10/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 3
House vote • 3/21/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 94 • No: 33 • Other: 14
Actions Timeline
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 236
4/28/2026Passed Enrolled
4/11/2026HouseThird Reading Passed (96-35)
4/11/2026HouseHouse Concurs Senate Amendments
4/11/2026HouseThird Reading Passed (42-0)
4/10/2026SenateSecond Reading Passed with Amendments
4/10/2026SenateFavorable with Amendments {133124/1 Adopted
4/10/2026SenateFavorable with Amendments Report by Finance
4/10/2026SenateReferred Finance
3/23/2026SenateThird Reading Passed (94-33)
3/21/2026HouseSecond Reading Passed with Amendments
3/20/2026HouseFavorable with Amendments {933025/1 Adopted
3/20/2026HouseFavorable with Amendments Report by Health
3/20/2026HouseHearing 2/18 at 1:30 p.m.
2/5/2026HouseHearing canceled
2/5/2026HouseHearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.
2/4/2026HouseFirst Reading Health
1/30/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/11/2026
Third Reading
3/20/2026
First Reading
1/30/2026
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