MarylandHB 10122026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Public Health - Local Suicide Fatality Review Teams - Authorization

Sponsored By: Kris Fair (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Public HealthChildren (4-12)Committees and CommissionsContracts -see also- ProcurementCounties -see also- Chartered Counties; Code Counties; etc.Crimes and Punishments -see also- Penalties and Sentnc; etc.CybersecurityData -see also- Census; DemographicsDeath -see also- Homicide; Murder; Wrongful DeathDisclosureEvaluations and ReviewsEvidenceHealth -see also- COVID19; EnvHlth; MedCon; etc.Health, Department ofHospitals -see also- Clinics; State HospitalsIntergovernmental Cooperation -see also- AdmAgn; Cmts; etc.Law Enforcement -see also- SRO; Sheriffs; State PoliceLiabilityMedical ExaminersMedical TreatmentsMeetings -see also- Hearings; Open GovernmentMental and Behavioral Health -see also- Aut; Cogn; Dev; etc.Municipal Corporations -see also- Annap; BaltPrivacyPublic InformationRecords -see also- Land Records; Vital RecordsRules and RegulationsSocial Services -see also- Public BenefitsStorageStudies -see also- Commitees & Commissions; ReportsSubpoenasSubstance AbuseSubstance Abuse TreatmentVital Records -see also- Death; Divorce; MarriageYouth (10-21) -see also- Minors

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Counties can form suicide review teams

Beginning October 1, 2026, Maryland counties and cities can set up local Suicide Fatality Review Teams. Neighboring counties may form one joint team and must sign an agreement on members, staffing, and operations. Teams include public health, social services, behavioral health, schools, law enforcement, EMS, hospitals, and a public member. Each team picks a chair and meets at least every three months. Teams review suicide deaths, spot gaps in services, and send prevention steps and policy ideas to state and local leaders. They collect data, keep it secure, follow state and national standards, and coordinate with child and drug overdose review teams. For deaths under age 18, the local Child Fatality Review Team leads the case and may do a joint review. The Maryland Department of Health may issue rules on how reviews are done and how data is stored and shared.

Privacy and records rules for reviews

Beginning October 1, 2026, the team chair can require immediate records needed to review a death, including hospital, clinic, lab, police, medical examiner, vital records, and social services files. Teams may ask people with direct knowledge, like health staff and first responders, to share key facts. Teams are a public health authority under HIPAA and must follow all privacy laws. Meetings about individual cases are closed; other meetings are open. In public sessions, teams may not share names, identifying details, or agency involvement. All team records are confidential, not public, and generally can’t be used in court; non‑identifying statistics may be shared. Team members have legal immunity for work they do on the team. Breaking confidentiality is a misdemeanor, with a fine up to $500, up to 90 days in jail, or both.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Kris Fair
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Tiffany T. Alston
Democratic • House
Heather Bagnall
Democratic • House
Bonnie Cullison
Democratic • House
Guy Guzzone
Democratic • Senate
Terri L. Hill
Democratic • House
Aaron M. Kaufman
Democratic • House
Lesley J. Lopez
Democratic • House
Ashanti Martinez
House
Samuel I. Rosenberg
Democratic • House
Kim Ross
Democratic • House
Steve Johnson
Democratic • House
Deni Taveras
Democratic • House
Jennifer White Holland
Democratic • House
Teresa Woorman
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 174 • No: 8

Senate vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 46 • No: 0

House vote • 3/11/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 128 • No: 8 • Other: 5

Actions Timeline

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 328
4/28/2026
Returned Passed
4/13/2026House
Third Reading Passed (46-0)
4/13/2026Senate
Second Reading Passed
4/13/2026Senate
Favorable Adopted
4/13/2026Senate
Favorable Report by Finance
4/13/2026Senate
Hearing 3/24 at 1:00 p.m.
3/18/2026Senate
Referred Finance
3/12/2026Senate
Third Reading Passed (128-8)
3/11/2026House
Second Reading Passed with Amendments
3/10/2026House
Favorable with Amendments {933726/1 Adopted
3/10/2026House
Favorable with Amendments Report by Health
3/10/2026House
Hearing 2/24 at 1:00 p.m.
2/13/2026House
First Reading Health
2/6/2026House

Bill Text

Third Reading
3/10/2026
PDF
First Reading
2/6/2026
PDF

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