MarylandSB 00142026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

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

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

Enroll in small‑employer plan after family changes

Beginning October 1, 2026, small‑employer health plans must offer a special sign‑up outside open enrollment for key life events. You can add a spouse or child after marriage, birth, adoption, placement for adoption, or foster care. You can also enroll when a court orders you to add a child, and when pregnancy is confirmed by a health care practitioner for you, your spouse, or your dependent (if otherwise eligible). If you enroll a court‑ordered dependent within 31 days, coverage starts on the order’s effective date. Or, for plans on the state small‑employer exchange, you may choose a later start—if the exchange allows it—on the first day of the next month when your plan choice is received the 1st–15th, or the first day of the second month when received the 16th–last day.

Small‑employer plan signup after divorce or death

Beginning October 1, 2026, the state small‑employer exchange may allow special sign‑ups after losing a dependent, divorce or legal separation, or death of the employee or a dependent. These periods exist only if the exchange chooses to offer them. If allowed, after a death, coverage starts the first day of the month after you pick a plan; if the exchange uses receipt dates, it starts the next month for choices received the 1st–15th, or the second month for choices received the 16th–last day. After divorce or legal separation, coverage starts the first day of the next month if your plan choice is received the 1st–15th, or the first day of the second month if received 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: 175 • No: 0

House vote • 4/2/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 132 • No: 0 • Other: 8

Senate vote • 2/12/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 43 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 138
4/14/2026
Returned Passed
4/3/2026Senate
Third Reading Passed (132-0)
4/2/2026House
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
4/1/2026House
Favorable Report by Health
4/1/2026House
Hearing 3/26 at 2:00 p.m.
3/25/2026House
Hearing canceled
3/25/2026House
Hearing 3/26 at 1:00 p.m.
3/17/2026House
Referred Health
2/13/2026House
Third Reading Passed (43-0)
2/12/2026Senate
Second Reading Passed
2/10/2026Senate
Favorable Adopted
2/10/2026Senate
Favorable Report by Finance
2/9/2026Senate
Hearing 1/28 at 2:00 p.m.
1/19/2026Senate
First Reading Finance
1/14/2026Senate
Pre-filed
9/16/2025Senate

Bill Text

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

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