PRIA Logo™
MarylandHB 07722026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Behavioral Health Rate Methodology Modernization - Workgroup Establishment and Study

Sponsored By: Emily Shetty (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Health Care Facilities and RegulationPublic HealthAssociations -see also- Cooperative AssociationsClinicsCommittees and CommissionsCounselors and TherapistsGeneral Assembly -see also- AELR Cmte; LegislativePolCmteHealth Care CommissionHealth Care Facilities -see also- Clinics; Hospices; etcHealth, Department ofHealth Planning and Cost ReviewLegislative Services, Department ofMental and Behavioral Health -see also- Aut; Cogn; Dev; etc.Prices -see also- Consumer Price IndexReimbursementsReportsRevenue and Taxes -see also- (specific tax)Standards and Best PracticesStudies -see also- Commitees & Commissions; ReportsSunsetVirtual Environments

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Workgroup to design fair provider rates

Effective July 1, 2026, the Health Care Commission hosts a Workgroup to design transparent, cost‑based pay methods for community behavioral health. It uses the federal clinic cost study as a baseline and studies staffing, telehealth, geography, nonprofit vs. for‑profit, and group sizes. Samples exclude programs started after 2020, and methods plan rebasing every 3 years and must follow federal Medicaid limits. The Commission provides technical help, and a Behavioral Health Administration liaison coordinates Medicaid policy. The Workgroup ends June 30, 2028 and does not itself change pay.

New Medicaid payment system for behavioral health

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Health Department runs an independent cost study to set fair community behavioral health rates. The study must finish by June 30, 2028. Providers must file cost reports starting July 1, 2026. Two state agencies must build and adopt a new payment system using the study and Workgroup recommendations, and write regulations to run it. The law does not raise rates now; any future increases need later budget approval.

Regular reports on provider pay and staffing

The Workgroup must submit an interim report by June 1, 2027 and a final report by December 1, 2027 with rate methods, cost models, phased options, and fiscal estimates. By January 1, 2028, the Health Care Commission must report on the delivery system and progress. Starting December 1, 2028, the Commission must send yearly reports on wages, benefits, turnover, and hiring. These reports add transparency and do not themselves change payments.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Emily Shetty

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Tiffany T. Alston

    Democratic • House

  • Heather Bagnall

    Democratic • House

  • Bonnie Cullison

    Democratic • House

  • Dana Jones

    Democratic • House

  • Mark Edelson

    Democratic • House

  • Catherine M. Forbes

    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

  • Samuel I. Rosenberg

    Democratic • House

  • Kim Ross

    Democratic • House

  • Malcolm P. Ruff

    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: 275 • No: 20

House vote • 4/9/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 122 • No: 7 • Other: 12

Senate vote • 4/9/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 3

House vote • 3/21/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 111 • No: 13 • Other: 17

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 219

    4/28/2026

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/9/2026House

  3. Third Reading Passed (122-7)

    4/9/2026House

  4. House Concurs Senate Amendments

    4/9/2026House

  5. Third Reading Passed (42-0)

    4/9/2026Senate

  6. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/8/2026Senate

  7. Favorable with Amendments {803426/1 Adopted

    4/8/2026Senate

  8. Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

    4/8/2026Senate

  9. Hearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m.

    3/25/2026Senate

  10. Referred Finance

    3/23/2026Senate

  11. Third Reading Passed (111-13)

    3/21/2026House

  12. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/20/2026House

  13. Favorable with Amendments {243223/1 Adopted

    3/20/2026House

  14. Favorable with Amendments Report by Health

    3/20/2026House

  15. Hearing 2/25 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/9/2026House

  16. First Reading Health

    2/4/2026House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/9/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/20/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    2/4/2026

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation