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MarylandHB 13152025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Vaccinations by Pharmacists and Health Insurance Coverage for Immunizations

Sponsored By: Pam Lanman Guzzone (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Health - InsurancePublic HealthAge -see also- Age of Maj; Children; Elderly; Inf&Tod.; etcCertificationsChildren (4-12)Committees and CommissionsCOVID-19Emergencies -see also- PandemicsFederal GovernmentFees -see also- Attys' Fees; Devt Fees & TaxesHealth -see also- COVID19; EnvHlth; MedCon; etc.Health Insurance -see also- ACA; HMOs; MCOsHealth Occupations -see also- (specific health occupations)ImmunizationInfants and Toddlers (0-3)Job Training -see also- Continuing Ed; Vocational RehabMedical Conditions -see also- AIDS; COVID-19; rabiesNonprofit OrganizationsPandemics -see also- COVID-19PediatriciansPharmacists and Pharmacies -see also- DrugsPrices -see also- Consumer Price IndexRecords -see also- Land Records; Vital RecordsRules and RegulationsSafety -see also- Occupational SafetyStandards and Best PracticesTeenagers (13-19)

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More vaccine options at Maryland pharmacies

Beginning June 1, 2025, Maryland pharmacists can order and give flu, COVID-19, and public-health-emergency vaccines to people ages 3 and older. For ages 7 and older, their authority also covers vaccines recommended by federal vaccine advisers or approved or authorized by the FDA. Adults can get travel vaccines recommended in CDC travel guidance. Pharmacists must meet training, registration, recordkeeping, and reporting rules. Requirements include 20 hours of approved practical training for the age-3 vaccine category and 2 hours of immunization education for license renewal. Registration requires a Board-approved certification course and CPR certification earned through in-person instruction. Vaccine-specific written protocols must follow state criteria and reference CDC guidance from December 31, 2024, or later state-approved updates. Pharmacists must report every vaccination to Maryland's ImmuNet registry and notify the prescriber when a vaccine is prescribed. They must also try to notify the patient's usual provider when required; flu shots are exempt from that notice. For patients under 18, pharmacists must explain well-child visits and make referrals when appropriate. The Board of Pharmacy must set reasonable vaccination fees. The law states neither the fee amount nor who pays it.

Vaccine and wellness coverage for children

The law sets minimum child wellness coverage for qualifying Maryland health plans issued, delivered, or renewed starting January 1, 2026. It covers certain individual hospital or major medical policies, group or blanket policies, and nonprofit health service plans. These plans must pay covered expenses and include family-member coverage. They must cover all visits and costs for childhood and teen vaccines recommended by federal vaccine advisers. The standard uses recommendations in effect on December 31, 2024, replacing the alternative American Academy of Pediatrics vaccine schedule. State rules may add vaccines recommended after that date. The wellness package also includes newborn screening, with initial collection before age 2 weeks and follow-up by 4 weeks. Newborn hearing screening must occur before hospital discharge. Coverage includes age-appropriate tuberculosis, anemia, lead, hearing, and vision screening, plus obesity care and developmental screening. It also includes physical exams, developmental assessments, parent guidance, and lab tests when clinicians indicate they are needed. Plans cannot apply a deductible to these services and must include a state-approved notice explaining that protection.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Pam Lanman Guzzone

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Tiffany T. Alston

    Democratic • House

  • Heather Bagnall

    Democratic • House

  • Ben Barnes

    Democratic • House

  • Harry Bhandari

    Democratic • House

  • Charlotte Crutchfield

    Democratic • House

  • Bonnie Cullison

    Democratic • House

  • Elizabeth Embry

    Democratic • House

  • Kris Fair

    Democratic • House

  • Catherine M. Forbes

    Democratic • House

  • Harris

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Terri L. Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Anne R. Kaiser

    Democratic • House

  • Kenneth Kerr

    Democratic • House

  • Lesley J. Lopez

    Democratic • House

  • Ashanti Martinez

    Democratic • House

  • Julie Palakovich Carr

    Democratic • House

  • Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk

    Democratic • House

  • Andrew C. Pruski

    Democratic • House

  • Robbyn Lewis

    Democratic • House

  • Samuel I. Rosenberg

    Democratic • House

  • Kim Ross

    Democratic • House

  • Malcolm P. Ruff

    Democratic • House

  • Steve Johnson

    Democratic • House

  • Matthew J. Schindler

    Democratic • House

  • Stephanie Smith

    Democratic • House

  • Vaughn Stewart

    Democratic • House

  • Deni Taveras

    Democratic • House

  • Jen Terrasa

    Democratic • House

  • Jennifer White Holland

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole A. Williams

    Democratic • House

  • Jamila J. Woods

    Democratic • House

  • Teresa Woorman

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 150 • No: 79

Senate vote • 4/7/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 35 • No: 12

Senate vote • 4/4/2025

Floor Amendment {873227/1 (Senator Folden) Rejected

Yes: 12 • No: 31 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/17/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 103 • No: 36

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 738

    5/20/2025

  2. Returned Passed

    4/7/2025House

  3. Third Reading Passed (35-12)

    4/7/2025Senate

  4. Second Reading Passed

    4/4/2025Senate

  5. Floor Amendment {873227/1 (Senator Folden) Rejected (12-31)

    4/4/2025Senate

  6. Favorable Adopted

    4/4/2025Senate

  7. Motion Special Order until Next Session (Senator Folden) Adopted

    4/4/2025Senate

  8. Favorable

    4/4/2025Senate

  9. Favorable Report by Finance

    4/4/2025Senate

  10. Hearing 3/27 at 1:00 p.m.

    3/20/2025Senate

  11. Referred Finance

    3/17/2025Senate

  12. Third Reading Passed (103-36)

    3/17/2025House

  13. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/15/2025House

  14. Favorable with Amendments {583824/1 Adopted

    3/15/2025House

  15. Favorable with Amendments Report by Health and Government Operations

    3/15/2025House

  16. Hearing 3/10 at 11:30 a.m.

    3/8/2025House

  17. Hearing canceled

    3/8/2025House

  18. Hearing 3/10 at 11:00 a.m.

    3/3/2025House

  19. Hearing canceled

    3/3/2025House

  20. Hearing 3/10 at 1:00 p.m.

    3/3/2025House

  21. Hearing canceled

    3/3/2025House

  22. Hearing 3/06 at 2:00 p.m.

    3/3/2025House

  23. Hearing canceled

    3/3/2025House

  24. Hearing 3/06 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/12/2025House

  25. First Reading Health and Government Operations

    2/7/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/20/2025

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/15/2025

    PDF

  • First Reading

    2/7/2025

    PDF

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