PRIA Logo™
MarylandSB 07072026 Regular SessionSenate

Mental Health Law - Danger to the Life or Safety of the Individual or of Others - Definition (Right to Treatment)

Sponsored By: Justin Ready (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Public HealthAdministrative AgenciesData -see also- Census; DemographicsEmergencies -see also- PandemicsEvaluations and ReviewsHealth Care Facilities -see also- Clinics; Hospices; etcHospitals -see also- Clinics; State HospitalsInjuryMedical Testing and DiagnosisMedical TreatmentsMental and Behavioral Health -see also- Aut; Cogn; Dev; etc.PetitionsReportsSafety -see also- Occupational SafetyVeterans

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

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

New standard for involuntary mental health care

Beginning October 1, 2026, Maryland uses a “substantial risk” test in emergency evaluations and involuntary admission. The risk must be due to a mental disorder. Decisions must rely on recent and relevant conduct, the person’s current condition, and any recent personal, medical, and psychiatric history that is available. Danger exists when the person will cause serious bodily harm to self or others. It also exists when, except for poverty, the person cannot meet basic needs (food, clothing, shelter, medical care, self‑protection, safety) so that serious harm, illness, or death is likely soon. Health professionals, hospitals, law enforcement, and courts use this standard.

Public reports on emergency evaluation petitions

The Behavioral Health Administration must publish yearly reports on emergency evaluation petitions. Reports are due by December 15 in 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029. Each report covers petitions from October 1 of the prior year through September 30. Reports must break out counts by ZIP code, age, race, ethnicity, gender, and co‑occurring disabilities, and by who filed the petition. They must show the reason for the petition, whether and how force was used when serving it, and the outcome (not served, evaluated and not admitted, voluntary admission, or involuntary admission).

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Justin Ready

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Mary Beth Carozza

    Republican • Senate

  • Arthur Ellis

    Democratic • Senate

  • Dawn Gile

    Democratic • Senate

  • Stephen S. Hershey

    Republican • Senate

  • Katie Fry Hester

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mary-Dulany James

    Democratic • Senate

  • Karen Lewis Young

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mike McKay

    Republican • Senate

  • C. Anthony Muse

    Democratic • Senate

  • Johnny Ray Salling

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 212 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/9/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 41 • No: 0 • Other: 2

House vote • 4/8/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 129 • No: 0 • Other: 6

Senate vote • 3/23/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 177

    4/28/2026

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/9/2026Senate

  3. Third Reading Passed (41-0)

    4/9/2026Senate

  4. Senate Concurs House Amendments

    4/9/2026Senate

  5. Third Reading Passed (129-0)

    4/8/2026House

  6. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/8/2026House

  7. Favorable with Amendments {473626/1 Adopted

    4/8/2026House

  8. Favorable with Amendments Report by Health

    4/8/2026House

  9. Hearing 4/01 at 1:00 p.m.

    3/27/2026House

  10. Hearing canceled

    3/27/2026House

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

    3/24/2026House

  12. Referred Health

    3/24/2026House

  13. Third Reading Passed (42-0)

    3/23/2026Senate

  14. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/23/2026Senate

  15. Favorable with Amendments {873527/1 Adopted

    3/23/2026Senate

  16. Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

    3/23/2026Senate

  17. Hearing 2/24 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/9/2026Senate

  18. First Reading Finance

    2/6/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    4/28/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/9/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/23/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    2/6/2026

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation