2003 Legislative Action - Senate Bills

Here you will find a running list of bills considered by MedChi's Legislative Committee, with positions taken by the committee and status of each. It is updated weekly during the legislative session and derived from Legislative Committee Agendas.  Go to Legislative Action to sign up for up-to-the-minute e-mail alerts,  find and contact your legislators, write a letter to the media, or find biographical information on your legislators.

Full text and status of each bill is available by clicking on the bill number listed in the following chart. (You will need to be able to view RTF documents.)

There is also a wealth of knowledge about the Maryland General Assembly available at their homepage. To send an e-mail to a delegate or senator, click here. To determine which delegate or senator serves a particular district, click here.

Contact MedChi's Annapolis Office for more information.

SENATE BILLS - 2004 SESSION  
FINAL - Updated June 26, 2008  

The action indicated is the action of the Legislative Committee and not necessarily 
the final position of MedChi.  All information is accurate as of publication date. Hearing dates are subject to change, call to confirm.

Key to Abbreviations:
SWA: Support with Amendments (legislative committee took no action on these bills)
NP: No Position
HB: House Bill
SB: Senate Bill
POS: Position

2003 Senate Bills

Bill No. Title Position Status
HB 1 Maryland Trauma System Funding Act, House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance SWA Bill Failed
HB 2 Small Business Health Insurance Affordability Act, House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance SWA Bill Failed
HB 8 State Personnel - Health and Welfare Benefits Program - Required Health Insurance Benefits, House Appropriations FYI Bill Failed
HB 17 Maryland Pharmacy Assistance Program - Eligibility, House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance Support the concept Signed, Chapter 270
HB 25 Health Insurance - Task Force to Study Access to Mental Health Services, House Health and Government Operations SWA Vetoed, Duplicative
HB 26 Baltimore City - Drug-Free Zones - Recreation Areas, House Judiciary SWA Bill Failed
HB 27 Creation of a State Debt - Mercy Medical Center, House Appropriations FYI Bill Failed
HB 32 Criminal Law - Candy-Like Products Containing Nicotine - Minors, House Judiciary Senate Judicial Proceedings NP Signed, Chapter 115
HB 34 State Acupuncture Board - Sunset Extension and Program Evaluation, House Health and Government Operations Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs FYI Signed, Chapter 407
HB 60 Controlled Dangerous Substances - Dispensing Monitoring Program (Introduced at SB 44 in 2002 and No Position Taken), House Judiciary NP Bill Failed
HB 64 Criminal Law - Forgery of Controlled Dangerous Substance Prescriptions or Written Orders - Penalty, House Judiciary Support Bill Failed
HB 69 Income Tax Credit for Services Donated by Health Care Professionals (Introduced as HB 561 in 2002 with a Support Position Taken), House Ways and Means Support Bill Failed
HB 75 Creation of a State Debt - Baltimore City - Baltimore Medical System (Introduced as SB 752 in 2002 with No Position Taken), House Appropriations FYI Bill Failed
HB 79 Task Force to Study Continuing Care Retirement Communities, House Health and Government Operations FYI Bill Failed
HB 83 Insurance - Professional Liability Insurers - Reporting Requirements, House Economic Matters NP Bill Failed
HB 87 Alcoholic Beverage Tax - Tax Rates, House Ways and Means NP Bill Failed
HB 98 State Designations - Walking as the State Exercise (Introduced at HB 439 in 2002 with a Support Position Taken), House Health and Government Operations Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs FYI Vetoed, Policy
HB 121 Health - Hepatitis B Disease - Vaccination of First-Time Enrollees at Institutions of Higher Education (Introduced as HB 496 in 2002 with a Support if Amended Position), House Health and Government Operations SWA Bill Failed
HB 123 Creation of a State Debt - Good Samaritan Hospital, House Appropriations FYI Bill Failed
HB 130 Department of Health and Mental Hygiene - Mental Health Services - Cost of Living Adjustment (Introduced as HB 833 in 2002 with a Support the Concept Position), House Health and Government Operations Support the concept Bill Failed
HB 136 Study Panel on the Funding Needs of Regional Trauma Centers - Duties and Sunset, House Health and Government Operations Support Bill Failed
HB 143 Maryland Health Care Foundation - Maryland Medbank Program - Extension and Funding, House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance Support Vetoed, Duplicative
HB 150 Acquisition of a Nonprofit Health Entity - Determination by Regulating Entity, House Health and Government Operations Support Bill Failed
HB 164 Health Occupations - Medical Review Committees, House Health and Government Operations Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs Support Signed, Chapter 126
HB 195 Disease Prevention - Hepatitis A and B Education and Prevention Program (Introduced as HB 1035 in 2002 with a Support the Concept Position Taken), House Health and Government Operations Support the concept Bill Failed
HB 205 State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, and Speech-Language Pathologists - Membership, House Health and Government Operations Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs Oppose Bill Failed
HB 206 Civil Actions - Enforcement of Prompt Payment Claims (Introduced as HB 450 in 2002 with a Support Position Taken), House Health and Government Operations Support Bill Failed
HB 211 Short-Term Prescription Drug Subsidy Plan - Enrollment, House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance Support Signed, Chapter 4
HB 231 Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Eligibility Requirements - Advance Directives, House Health and Government Operations Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs NP Bill Failed
HB 232 Maryland Medical Assistance Authority (Introduced as HB 911 in 2002 with No Position Taken), House Health and Government Operations NP Bill Failed
HB 236 Cardiac Services - Licensing, House Health and Government Operations NP Bill Failed
HB 238 Health Insurance - Required Reimbursement - Podiatrists (Introduced as SB 274 in 2002 with and Oppose Position Taken), House Health and Government Operations Oppose Bill Failed
HB 247 Cigarette Restitution Fund - Required Appropriations, House Health and Government Operations NP Bill Failed
HB 248 Creation of a State Debt - Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, House Appropriations FYI Bill Failed
HB 257 State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners - Revisions - Licensure and Penalties, House Health and Government Operations Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs FYI Signed, Chapter 134
HB 258 Mental Hygiene - Emergency Evaluation Petitions - Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapists, House Health and Government Operations NP Bill Failed
HB 259 Health Occupations - Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapists - Reciprocity, House Health and Government Operations Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs FYI Signed, Chapter 133
HB 263 Oral Health Programs - Reducing Oral Cancer Mortality, House Health and Government Operations NP Bill Failed
HB 269 Creation of a State Debt - Allegany County - Allegany County Health Department, House Appropriations FYI Bill Failed
HB 272 Vital Statistics - Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth, House Health and Government Operations Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs NP Signed, Chapter 136
HB 294 Consumer Protection - Maryland Consumer Protection Act - Scope, House Economic Matters Senate Finance Support Vetoed, Duplicative
HB 310 State Board of Social Work Examiners - Sunset Extension and Program Evaluation, House Health and Government Operations Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs FYI Vetoed, Duplicative
HB 335 Community Access Program Grants - Coordination of Health Care Provider Reimbursements - Pilot Programs, House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance Support Signed, Chapter 289
HB 343 Hospitals - HIV Testing - Health Care Providers, House Health and Government Operations Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs SWA Signed, Chapter 143
HB 363 Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Prior Authorization - Mental Health Drugs, House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance Support Vetoed, Duplicative
HB 364 Health Insurance - Noncontracting Providers - Reimbursement Rate Disclosure, House Health and Government Operations SWA Bill Failed
HB 374 Commerical Law -Uniform Commercial Code - Title 9 - Miscellaneous, House Economic Matters Senate Finance FYI Vetoed, Duplicative
HB 376 Sunset Review - State Board of Nursing - Electrology Practice Committee, House Health and Government Operations Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs FYI Signed, Chapter 422
HB 386 Disease Prevention - Hepatitis C Advisory Board, House Health and Government Operations Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs Support Signed, Chapter 149
HB 405 Medicaid Reimbursement - Community-Based Services for Children with Disabilities, House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance Support Signed, Chapter 428
HB 410 Health Insurance - Private Review Agents - Examination of Pharmacy Benefit Managers, House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance NP Signed, Chapter 295
HB 413 Creation of a State Debt - Carroll County General Hospital , House Appropriations FYI Bill Failed
HB 415 Creation of a State Debt - Carroll County - Carroll Hospice, House Appropriations FYI Bill Failed
HB 428 Health Insurance - Kidney Dialysis Services - Coinsurance Payments, House Health and Government Operations NP Bill Failed
HB 433 Task Force on the Needs of Persons with Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Abuse Disorders, House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance NP Signed, Chapter 297
HB 439 Tobacco Products - Restrictions on Display or Storage (Introduced as HB 132 in 2002 with a Support Position Taken), House Health and Government Operations Support Bill Failed
HB 441 Optometrists - Quality Eye Health Improvement Act, House Health and Government Operations Oppose Bill Failed
HB 481 Health - In Vitro Services - Advance Directives for Disposition of Cryopreserved Eggs, Sperm, or Embryos, House Health and Government Operations Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs NP Bill Failed
HB 482 Stem Cell Research - Donation of Certain Tissue for Research Purposes, House Health and Government Operations Refer to ethics committee Bill Failed
HB 498 Health Insurance - Medicare Supplement Contracts - Availability, House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance NP Signed, Chapter 41
HB 524 Health Care Records - Confidentiality - Ex Parte Communications with Health Care Providers, House Judiciary Oppose Bill Failed
HB 548 Health Occupations - Gifts from Pharmaceutical Manufacturers or Pharmaceutical Marketers - Prohibited, House Health and Government Operations Oppose Bill Failed
HB 569 Health Insurance - Payment to Providers for Colorectal Screenings, House Health and Government Operations NP Bill Failed
HB 583 Handgun Safety Devices - Repeal, House Judiciary Oppose Bill Failed
HB 597 Health Insurance - Mandated Benefits - Exclusion from Policies (Introduced as HB 939 in 2002 with No Position Taken), House Health and Government Operations NP Bill Failed
HB 599 Health Insurance - Small Group Market - Coverage - Preexisting Conditions, House Health and Government Operations Oppose unless amended Bill Failed
HB 600 Health Insurance - Small Group Market - Comprehensive Standard Health Benefit Plan - Cost-Sharing, House Health and Government Operations Oppose Bill Failed
HB 605 Maryland Health Care Commission - Evaluation of Mandated Health Insurance Services, House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance SWA Signed, Chapter 437
HB 615 Public Health - Licensed Pharmacists - Dispensing Emergency Contraception, House Health and Government Operations Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs Oppose Bill Failed
HB 622 Health Occupations - Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists, Health and Government Operations Oppose Bill Failed
HB 627 Health Insurance - Small Group Market - Basic Health Benefit Plan, House Health and Government Operations Oppose Bill Failed
HB 630 Medical Assistance Program - Employed Persons with Disabilities Program (Introduced at SB 228 in 2002 with a Support with Amendments Position Taken), House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance SWA Signed, Chapter 315
HB 631 Department of Health and Mental Hygiene - Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program - Sale of Tobacco Products to Minors (Introduced as SB 896 in 2002 and was referred to Legislative Leadership for review), House Health and Government Operations NP Bill Failed
HB 636 Insurance Premiums Tax - Health Maintenance Organizations (Introduced as HB 1449 in 2002 with a Support Position Taken), House Ways and Means Support Bill Failed
HB 645 Creation of a State Debt - Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, House Appropriations FYI Bill Failed
HB 646 Creation of a State Debt - Baltimore City - Chase Brexton Health Services, House Appropriations FYI Bill Failed
HB 647 Task Force to Study the Regulation of Long-Term Care Providers, House Health and Government Operations FYI Bill Failed
HB 655 Creation of a State Debt - Baltimore City - Dr. Bob's Place, House Appropriations FYI Bill Failed
HB 656 Health Maintenance Organizations - Definition of Covered Services, House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance SWA Signed, Chapter 440
HB 657 Preferred Provider Organizations - Payments to Nonpreferred Providers - Emergency Services, House Health and Government Operations Oppose Bill Failed
HB 668 Mental Hygiene Administration - Emergency Evaluation - Standards and Content, House Health and Government Operations Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs NP Signed, Chapter 441
HB 670 Health Insurance - Coverage for Ovarian Cancer Screening, House Health and Government Operations NP Bill Failed
HB 674 Health - Maryland Trauma Center Services Fund - Establishment, House Health and Government Operations Support the concept Bill Failed
HB 675 Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Reimbursement for Outpatient Mental Health Treatment Dual Eligibility (Introduced as SB 206 in 2002 with a Support Position Taken), House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance Support Vetoed, Duplicative
HB 676 Statute of Limitations - Minors, House Judiciary Senate Judicial Proceedings Support Bill Failed
HB 683 Creation of a State Debt - Maryland General Hospital, House Appropriations FYI Bill Failed
HB 684 Pharmacists and Pharmacies - Practice - Advice of Generic Drug Option, House Health and Government Operations Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs Support Signed, Chapter 318
HB 696 Firearms - Shell Casings and Other Identification Information, House Judiciary NP Bill Failed
HB 700 Health Insurance - Private Review Agents - Certification, House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance NP Signed, Chapter 321
HB 702 Darrell Putman Medical Research Act, House Judiciary Senate Judicial Proceedings Oppose Signed, Chapter 442
HB 703 Jury Verdict - Damages - Revisory Power of Court, House Judiciary Oppose Bill Failed
HB 724 Health Insurance Carriers and Health Maintenance Organizations - Mental Health Providers - Cultural Characteristics, House Health and Government Operations Support the concept Bill Failed
HB 725 Senior Citizens Prescription Medicine Relief Act (Introduced as HB 1232 in 2002 and was not considered), House Health and Government Operations FYI Bill Failed
HB 726 Public-Private Partnership for Health Coverage for All Marylanders, House Health and Government Operations Refer to Future of Health Care Committee Bill Failed
HB 729 Health Insurance - Managed Behavioral Health Care Organizations - Expense and Loss Ratios and Reports, House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance Support Signed, Chapter 323
HB 745 Education - Pole Vaulting - Helmets, House Health and Government Operations Support the concept Bill Failed
HB 746 Approved Gear and Equipment - Youth Baseball, House Health and Government Operations Support Bill Failed
HB 751 Creation of a State Debt - Washington Adventist Hospital, House Appropriations FYI Bill Failed
HB 759 Advisory Committee to Study Expansion of the All-Payor System, House Health and Government Operations Support Bill Failed
HB 760 Insurance Premiums Tax - Health Maintenance Organization - Funding for Outpatient Mental Health Treatment, House Health and Government Operations NP Bill Failed
HB 761 Task Force to Study the Reorganization of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance Support Signed, Chapter 447
HB 762 Medicaid Modernization Act of 2003, House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance SWA Signed, Chapter 448
HB 763 Prince George's County - Sales Tax to Fund Health Care Services, House Ways and Means FYI Bill Failed
HB 765 Task Force on the CareFirst Mission, House Health and Government Operations Support Bill Failed
HB 770 Department of Health and Mental Hygiene - Medical Assistance - Day Care Providers, House Health and Government Operations FYI Bill Failed
HB 771 Clean Indoor Air Act of 2003, House Health and Government Operations Support Bill Failed
HB 772 Public Health - Abortion - Parental Notice, House Health and Government Operations NP, information letter sent to committee Bill Failed
HB 773 Emergency Medical Services Board - Inter-Facility Helicopter Transport, House Health and Government Operations FYI Bill Failed
HB 781 Catastrophic Health Emergency - Volunteer Health Care Provider - Workers' Compensation, House Economic Matters Support Bill Failed
HB 785 Maryland Health Insurance Reform Act - Modifications - Health Reimbursement Account Plan - Reinsurance Pool, House Health and Government Operations Support Bill Failed
HB 788 Maryland Health Care Commission - Hospital-Based Health Care Practitioner Payment System, House Health and Government Operations Oppose Bill Failed
HB 790 State Board of Physician Quality Assurance - Sunset Extension and Program Evaluation, House Health and Government Operations Support Bill Failed
HB 791 Health Occupations - State Board of Physician Quality Assurance - Sunset Extension and Program Evaluation, House Health and Government Operations Oppose unless amended Bill Failed
HB 792 Individual Health Insurance Availability Act, House Health and Government Operations Support the Concept Bill Failed
HB 793 Medical Assistance Reimbursement Rate Commission, House Health and Government Operations Support Bill Failed
HB 803 Maryland Health Insurance Plan and Senior Prescription Drug Program - Modifications and Clarifications, House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance FYI Signed, Chapter 1
HB 819 Education - Lead Poisoning Tests - Administering and Reporting, House Health and Government Operations Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs SWA Signed, Chapter 178
HB 828 Hospitals - Certificate of Need - Open Heart Surgery, House Health and Government Operations NP Bill Failed
HB 830 Maryland Quality Home Care Services Commission, House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance FYI Bill Failed
HB 832 Payment of Future Economic Damages, House Judiciary Support Bill Failed
HB 840 Creation of a State Debt - Baltimore City - Kennedy Krieger Institute, House Appropriations FYI Bill Failed
HB 882 Maryland Breast Cancer Research Fund - Income Tax Checkoff (Introduced as HB 573 in 2002 and was an FYI bill), House Ways and Means FYI Bill Failed
HB 883 Health Care Disparities Program - Required Education for Practitioners and Coordination of Services, House Health and Government Operations Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs Oppose Signed, Chapter 453
HB 894 Health Insurance - Reimbursement for Provider Services - Professional Counselors and Therapists, House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance NP Signed, Chapter 338
HB 895 Mental Health - Individuals in Facilities - Use of Restraints and Seclusions, House Health and Government Operations FYI Bill Failed
HB 896 Professional Clinical Counselors - Specialized Test and Administration - Standards, House Health and Government Operations Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs NP Bill Failed
HB 932 Creation of a State Debt - Doctors Community Hospital, House Appropriations FYI Bill Failed
HB 946 Creation of a State Debt - St. Joseph Medical Center, House Appropriations FYI Bill Failed
HB 950 Maryland Pharmacy Assistance Program - Copayment, House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance NP Signed, Chapter 344
HB 974 Health Maintenance Organizations - Patient Access to Choice of Provider, House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance Support Signed, Chapter 461
HB 981 Maternal Mortality Review Program - Termination of Provision - Repeal, House Health and Government Operations Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs Support Vetoed, Duplicative
HB 993 Nursing Homes - Quality of Care - Assisted Living Services (Introduced as HB 656 in 2002 and was not considered), House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance FYI Bill Failed
HB 999 Department of Health and Mental Hygiene - Birth Defects - Release of Medical Information, House Health and Government Operations NP Bill Failed
HB 1009 Nursing Facilities - Maryland Medical Assistance Programs - Payment for Reserved Beds, House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance FYI Signed, Chapter 345
HB 1022 Creation of a State Debt - Washington County - American Red Cross Chapter, House Appropriations FYI Bill Failed
HB 1029 Health Insurance - Small Employers - Individual Coverage, House Health and Government Operations Oppose Bill Failed
HB 1039 Maryland Health Care Commission - Fees - Health Care Practitioners, House Health and Government Operations NP Bill Failed
HB 1042 Task Force to Study the availability of Audiology and Speech-Language Services, House Ways and Means Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs SWA Signed, Chapter 194
HB 1062 Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants - Treatment - Number of Patients, House Health and Government Operations Refer to Orthopedic Society Bill Failed
HB 1065 Health Services Cost Review Commission - Appointment of Members, House Health and Government Operations Senate Finance Support Signed, Chapter 349
HB 1078 Creation of a State Debt - Baltimore City - Baltimore Medical System, House Appropriations FYI Bill Failed
HB 1085 Health Insurance - Small Group Market - Health Reimbursement Arrangements, House Health and Government Operations Support Bill Failed
HB 1093 Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Pharmaceutical Products - Access, Coverage, and Cost-Saving Protection and Programs, House Health and Government Operations Support Bill Failed
HB 1099 Trauma Center Physician Services Funding Act, House Rules and Executive Nominations