MarylandHB 09452026 Regular SessionHouse

Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities - Notification of Investigations and Establishment of the Health Care Quality Improvement Initiative

Sponsored By: Sheree Sample-Hughes (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Health Care Facilities and RegulationElderlyAging, Department ofAssisted LivingAttorney GeneralCommittees and CommissionsComplaintsCounties -see also- Chartered Counties; Code Counties; etc.Data -see also- Census; DemographicsFederal GovernmentGeneral Assembly -see also- AELR Cmte; LegislativePolCmteHealth -see also- COVID19; EnvHlth; MedCon; etc.Health Care CommissionHealth, Department ofHealth Planning and Cost ReviewHuman Services, Department ofInspections -see also- Motor Vehicle InspectionInvestigations and Inquiries -see also- Crim Bckgrnd InvestJob Training -see also- Continuing Ed; Vocational RehabMedical AssistanceMeetings -see also- Hearings; Open GovernmentNoticesNursing Homes -see also- AsstLiving; ContinCare; LTCareOpen GovernmentPatientsPrivacyPublic InformationRecruitment and HiringReportsSafety -see also- Occupational SafetyStandards and Best PracticesStudies -see also- Commitees & Commissions; ReportsSunsetVirtual EnvironmentsWork, Labor, and Employment -see also- JobTrn; Leave; etc.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More reporting on nursing home inspections

Beginning July 1, 2025, every 3 months the Department reports to the Senate Finance and House Health Committees how many surveys it did in each county, by survey type. Beginning July 1, 2025, every 6 months the Office of Health Care Quality tells each local area agency on aging which nursing homes were surveyed and on what dates. These reports give families and local officials more timely information.

Stronger nursing home inspections and investigations

The Department inspects every licensed nursing home at least once a year. Surveys are unannounced unless federal law requires otherwise. For harm complaints, it starts an investigation within 10 business days; for immediate jeopardy, within 24 to 48 hours. When it opens a harm investigation, it notifies the county health department within 24 hours and coordinates when allowed by law, but State oversight stays with the Department. After a transfer to an owner with no other Maryland homes, it does a full survey within 3 months and an unannounced follow‑up within 120 days of that survey. These rules take effect October 1, 2026.

Task force to improve long-term care

Beginning October 1, 2026, the State runs a short‑term Health Care Quality Improvement Initiative. A task force of legislators and State health leaders meets every 3 months, hears from frontline workers and families, and posts public updates within 30 days. It receives six‑month, de‑identified inspection and enforcement data and may request redacted deficiency statements, but not any identifiable patient or complaint details. It delivers preliminary findings by December 1, 2027, final recommendations by December 1, 2028, and ends June 30, 2029.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Sheree Sample-Hughes
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Tiffany T. Alston
Democratic • House
Heather Bagnall
Democratic • House
Bonnie Cullison
Democratic • House
Pam Lanman Guzzone
Democratic • House
Terri L. Hill
Democratic • House
Thomas S. Hutchinson
Republican • House
Aaron M. Kaufman
Democratic • House
Nicholaus R. Kipke
Republican • House
Lesley J. Lopez
Democratic • House
Ashanti Martinez
Democratic • House
Teresa E. Reilly
Republican • House
Samuel I. Rosenberg
Democratic • House
Kim Ross
Democratic • House
Steve Johnson
Democratic • House
Deni Taveras
Democratic • House
Jennifer White Holland
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 169 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 43 • No: 0 • Other: 4

House vote • 3/21/2026