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MarylandSB 08482025 Regular SessionSenate

Public Health Abortion Grant Program - Establishment

Sponsored By: Guy Guzzone (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Public HealthHealth - InsuranceHealth Maintenance OrganizationsAbortion -see also- Reproductive MattersAppropriationsBudgets -see also- Capital BudgetsClinicsFormsGovernorGrantsHealth -see also- COVID19; EnvHlth; MedCon; etc.Health Insurance -see also- ACA; HMOs; MCOsHealth Maintenance Organizations -see also- Manage Care OrgsHealth Occupations -see also- (specific health occupations)Insurance AdministrationNonprofit OrganizationsNoticesPrivacyRecords -see also- Land Records; Vital RecordsReportsRevenue and Taxes -see also- (specific tax)SunsetTreasurers

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More abortion help with privacy protections

Beginning July 1, 2025, Maryland’s health department runs grants to expand abortion care statewide. Help supports people without insurance, with too little abortion coverage, or unable to use insurance because of carrier communications. At least 90% of program appropriations must become operating grants covering clinical care and reasonable related administrative costs. This includes services federal money cannot cover. Eligible organizations provide care through Maryland-authorized practitioners or run funds that help people access care. They must remain in good standing and follow Maryland abortion law, with policies that do not restrict access. The department cannot collect identifying information about people requesting or receiving grant-supported care. It also cannot release identifying information about covered grant applicants’ and recipients’ staff, or practitioners and staff providing their care.

Dedicated funding supports Maryland abortion care

Effective July 1, 2025, the law creates a dedicated abortion grant fund managed by Maryland’s health secretary. The Governor must allocate $2 million by October 1, 2025. Covered insurers must keep abortion premiums in separate accounts and use them for required abortion coverage. The insurance commissioner must transfer 90% of qualifying excess balances to the grant fund, including specified interest. Transfers for plan years 2014–2023 are due September 1, 2025, with interest measured through December 31, 2024. The initial excess-balance test applies after 12 months following a plan year’s end. Starting in 2026, transfers are due each July 1, using balances after 15 months and interest through the previous December 31. Beginning in fiscal 2027, the Governor’s annual budget must include at least the amount required under the insurer-transfer rules. The fund also accepts appropriations and other money; unused money and investment earnings stay in the fund. Spending is limited to the grant program and amounts authorized in the state budget. Insurers must report account receipts, payments, interest, and year-end balances annually by March 1. Entities challenging transfer orders have hearing and appeal rights. Section 1 automatically ends if federal officials determine by June 30, 2031, that it violates Affordable Care Act Section 1303. Maryland’s insurance administration must notify legislative staff within five days of that determination.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Guy Guzzone

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 165 • No: 142

House vote • 3/31/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 98 • No: 33 • Other: 5

Senate vote • 3/17/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 29 • No: 15

Senate vote • 3/14/2025

Floor Amendment {383728/1 (Senator McKay) Rejected

Yes: 14 • No: 29 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/14/2025

Floor Amendment {483327/1 (Senator Carozza) Rejected

Yes: 12 • No: 32 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 3/14/2025

Floor Amendment {553827/1 (Senator Ready) Rejected

Yes: 12 • No: 33

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 436

    5/13/2025

  2. Returned Passed

    3/31/2025Senate

  3. Third Reading Passed (98-33)

    3/31/2025House

  4. Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

    3/28/2025House

  5. Favorable Report by Health and Government Operations

    3/28/2025House

  6. Hearing 3/26 at 1:00 p.m.

    3/24/2025House

  7. Referred Health and Government Operations

    3/17/2025House

  8. Third Reading Passed (29-15)

    3/17/2025Senate

  9. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/14/2025Senate

  10. Floor Amendment {553827/1 (Senator Ready) Rejected (12-33)

    3/14/2025Senate

  11. Floor Amendment {483327/1 (Senator Carozza) Rejected (12-32)

    3/14/2025Senate

  12. Floor Amendment {383728/1 (Senator McKay) Rejected (14-29)

    3/14/2025Senate

  13. Favorable with Amendments {263127/1 Adopted

    3/14/2025Senate

  14. Motion Laid Over (Senator Carozza) Adopted

    3/14/2025Senate

  15. Favorable with Amendments {263127/1

    3/14/2025Senate

  16. Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

    3/14/2025Senate

  17. Hearing 3/06 at 1:00 p.m. (Finance)

    2/6/2025Senate

  18. First Reading Finance and Budget and Taxation

    2/3/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/13/2025

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/14/2025

    PDF

  • First Reading

    2/3/2025

    PDF

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