MarylandHB 10022026 Regular SessionHouse

Nursing Facilities - Involuntary Discharge or Transfer

Sponsored By: Lesley J. Lopez (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Health Care Facilities and RegulationAddressesCivil Rights and Social EquityCognitive DisabilitiesDevelopmental DisabilitiesDisabilitiesFormsHealth, Department ofHearingsLong-Term Care -see also- Continuing Care; Nursing HomesMental and Behavioral Health -see also- Aut; Cogn; Dev; etc.NamesNoticesNursing Homes -see also- AsstLiving; ContinCare; LTCareOmbudsmenRules and RegulationsTelephonesTermination of ServicesTimeVulnerable Adults -see also- DevDisab; EldPers; PhysDisab

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

30-day nursing home move notice rules

Beginning October 1, 2026, facilities must use a state notice form and give at least 30 days’ written notice before an involuntary move, except in emergencies. The notice goes to you, your family or guardian, the Long‑Term Care Ombudsman, and the Department. It must list the reason, the destination, the social worker, a meeting within 10 days, and how to ask for a hearing and legal help. If the facility sends a new notice, timing protections apply: 30 days if it comes before the original 30‑day period ends or before an ALJ order; otherwise, the move can occur when a bed is available if only the date changed at the same licensed nursing facility, after 7 days if the new place is a different licensed facility, or after 30 days if the new place is a non‑licensed but safe location.

Medicaid residents can't be forced out or private-pay

Beginning October 1, 2026, Medicaid‑certified nursing homes cannot make you pay as a private‑pay resident during any time you are eligible for Medicaid. They also cannot discharge you just because you are on Medicaid. The law presumes a violation if a facility tries to move someone who is or becomes Medicaid‑eligible. This presumption does not apply to discharges for nonpayment that happened while the person was not eligible for Medicaid.

Safe discharge plan and no hotel transfers

Beginning October 1, 2026, a facility cannot involuntarily move you to a hotel, shelter, or other place not listed in the written notice. It cannot move you until the receiving facility confirms it will accept you. Before any move, the facility must create a post‑discharge care plan that names the address where you will live and ensures the setting is safe, secure, and sustainable under state rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Lesley J. Lopez
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Tiffany T. Alston
Democratic • House
Heather Bagnall
Democratic • House
Bonnie Cullison
Democratic • House
Linda Foley
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
Matthew Morgan
Republican • House
Ashanti Martinez
Democratic • House
Teresa E. Reilly
Republican • House
Samuel I. Rosenberg
Democratic • House
Kim Ross
Democratic • House
Steve Johnson
Democratic • House
Kathy Szeliga
Republican • House
Deni Taveras
Democratic • House
Jennifer White Holland
Democratic • House
Greg Wims
Democratic • House
Teresa Woorman
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 171 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/6/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 46 • No: 0

House vote • 3/21/2026