EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*hb0334*
HOUSE BILL 334
J1, J5 5lr0950
CF SB 156
By: Delegates Kerr, Crutchfield, Davis, Fair, Feldmark, Foley, Guzzone, Hill,
S. Johnson, Lehman, J. Lewis, J. Long, Martinez, Roberts, Ruth, Shetty,
Simpson, Smith, Terrasa, Watson, White Holland, Woods, Woorman, and
Ziegler Ziegler, Pena–Melnyk, Cullison, Bagnall, Bhandari, Kaiser, Lopez,
Rosenberg, and Taveras
Introduced and read first time: January 13, 2025
Assigned to: Health and Government Operations
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
House action: Adopted
Read second time: February 25, 2025
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Universal Workgroup on Newborn Nurse Home Visiting Services – Program 2
Establishment and Insurance Coverage 3
FOR the purpose of requiring the Maryland Department of Health to establish a program 4
to provide universal newborn nurse home visiting services to all families with 5
newborns residing in the State; requiring community leads and the Department to 6
collect and report on certain data related to the program; requiring insurers, 7
nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations that provide 8
certain health benefits under certain insurance policies or contracts to provide 9
certain coverage and reimbursement for universal newborn nurse home visiting 10
services; and generally relating to universal newborn nurse home visiting services 11
establishing the Workgroup on Newborn Home Visiting Services; and generally 12
relating to the Workgroup on Newborn Home Visiting Services. 13
BY adding to 14
Article – Health – General 15
Section 13–5501 and 13–5502 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 55. Universal 16
Newborn Nurse Home Visiting Program” 17
Annotated Code of Maryland 18
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 19
2 HOUSE BILL 334
BY adding to 1
Article – Insurance 2
Section 15–861 3
Annotated Code of Maryland 4
(2017 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 5
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 6
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 7
(a) There is a Workgroup on Newborn Home Visiting Services in the State. 8
(b) The Workgroup consists of the following members: 9
(1) one member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of 10
the Senate; 11
(2) one member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the 12
House; 13
(3) the Secretary of Health, or the Secretary’s designee; and 14
(4) the following members, appointed by the Governor: 15
(i) one representative of the Maryland Hospital Association; 16
(ii) one representative from each certified site in the State 17
implementing an evidence–based universal nurse home visiting model for families with 18
newborns; 19
(iii) one representative from an organization in the State 20
implementing at least two approved Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting 21
models; 22
(iv) one representative of a private insurance carrier; 23
(v) one representative of the Maryland Nurses Association; 24
(vi) one representative of B’More for Healthy Babies Initiative; 25
(vii) one representative from a local health department; 26
(viii) one pediatrician licensed in the State; 27
(ix) one nurse midwife licensed in the State; 28
(x) one obstetrician licensed in the State; and 29
HOUSE BILL 334 3
(xi) one representative of a federally qualified health center. 1
(c) The members of the Workgroup shall designate the chair and vice chair of the 2
Workgroup. 3
(d) The Maryland Family Network, in collaboration with the Maryland 4
Department of Health, may provide staff for the Workgroup. 5
(e) A member of the Workgroup: 6
(1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Workgroup; but 7
(2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State 8
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 9
(f) The Workgroup shall: 10
(1) compile updated participant data and expenditures per participant 11
from the home visiting for families with newborns programs currently operating in the 12
State; 13
(2) compare the data for home visiting for families with newborns 14
programs in the State to the data for evidence–based models for universal nurse home 15
visiting for families with newborns; 16
(3) (i) identify service gaps between the evidence–based models for 17
universal nurse home visiting for families with newborns and operational home visiting for 18
families with newborns programs; 19
(ii) identify opportunities to align the evidence–based models for 20
universal nurse home visiting for families with newborns with operational home visiting 21
for families with newborns programs operating in the State; and 22
(iii) identify potential funding sources to close the identified service 23
gaps; and 24
(4) identify workforce needs, including issues related to cultural 25
competency, for the evidence–based models for universal newborn nurse home visiting for 26
families with newborns and recommendations to address the workforce needs. 27
(g) On or before December 31, 2025, the Workgroup shall report its findings and 28
recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2 –1257 of the State 29
Government Article, the General Assembly. 30
Article – Health – General 31
SUBTITLE 55. UNIVERSAL NEWBORN NURSE HOME VISITING PROGRAM. 32 4 HOUSE BILL 334
13–5501. 1
IN THIS SUBTITLE , “PROGRAM” MEANS THE STATEWIDE PROGRAM TO 2
PROVIDE UNIVERSAL NE WBORN NURSE HOME VIS ITING SERVICES IMPLE MENTED 3
UNDER § 13–5502(A) OF THIS SUBTITLE. 4
13–5502. 5
(A) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DESI GN, IMPLEMENT, AND MAINTAIN A 6
VOLUNTARY STATEWIDE PROGRA M TO PROVIDE UNIVERS AL NEWBORN NURSE 7
HOME VISITING SERVIC ES TO ALL FAMILIES W ITH NEWBORNS RESIDIN G IN THE 8
STATE. 9
(2) THE PURPOSES OF THE P ROGRAM ARE TO : 10
(I) SUPPORT HEALTHY CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND 11
POSTPARTUM HEALTH ; AND 12
(II) STRENGTHEN FAMILIES . 13
(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DESI GN THE UNIVERSAL NEW BORN 14
NURSE HOME VISITING PROGRAM TO BE FLEXIB LE SO AS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF 15
THE COMMUNITIES IN W HICH THE PROGRAM OPE RATES. 16
(B) IN DESIGNING THE PROG RAM, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONSULT, 17
COORDINATE , AND COLLABORATE , AS NECESSARY, WITH: 18
(1) INSURERS THAT OFFER H EALTH BENEFITS PLANS IN THE STATE; 19
(2) HOSPITALS; 20
(3) LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH A UTHORITIES; 21
(4) THE DIVISION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD IN THE DEPARTMENT OF 22
EDUCATION; 23
(5) EXISTING EARLY CHILDH OOD AND UNIVERSAL NE WBORN HOME 24
VISITING PROGRAMS ; 25
(6) COMMUNITY–BASED ORGANIZATIONS ; 26
(7) A NATIONAL TRAINING IN STITUTE FOR UNIVERSA L NEWBORN 27
HOME VISITING; 28
HOUSE BILL 334 5
(8) SOCIAL SERVICES PROVI DERS; AND 1
(9) ANY OTHER EXPERTS , GROUPS, OR ORGANIZATIONS AS THE 2
SECRETARY DETERMINES APPROPRIATE . 3
(C) THE PROGRAM SHALL PRO VIDE NURSE HOME VISI TING SERVICES THAT 4
ARE: 5
(1) IDENTIFIED AS AN EVID ENCE–BASED EARLY CHILDHOO D HOME 6
VISITING SERVICE DEL IVERY MODEL UNDER TH E CRITERIA ESTABLI SHED BY THE 7
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES; 8
(2) SUPPORTED BY A NATION AL CENTER THAT PROVI DES TRAINING, 9
MONITORING , AND TECHNICAL SUPPOR T; 10
(3) PROVIDED BY A COMMUNI TY LEAD AGENCY DESIG NATED TO 11
SERVE A DEFINED COMM UNITY; 12
(4) PROVIDED BY REGISTERED NURSES LICENSED IN THE STATE; 13
(5) OFFERED TO: 14
(I) FAMILIES CARING FOR N EWBORNS UP TO THE AG E OF 12 15
WEEKS, INCLUDING FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE NEWBORNS ; AND 16
(II) BIRTHING INDIVIDUALS WITHIN 12 WEEKS AFTER 17
DELIVERY OF A LIVE B IRTH OR STILLBIRTH; 18
(6) PROVIDED: 19
(I) IN THE FAMILY’S HOME; OR 20
(II) VIRTUALLY; AND 21
(7) AIMED AT IMPROVING OU TCOMES IN ONE OR MOR E OF THE 22
FOLLOWING DOMAINS ; 23
(I) INFANT AND CHILD HEAL TH; 24
(II) CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOOL READINESS ; 25
(III) MATERNAL AND POSTPARTU M HEALTH; 26
(IV) FAMILY ECONOMIC SELF –SUFFICIENCY; 27
6 HOUSE BILL 334
(V) POSITIVE PARENTING ; 1
(VI) REDUCING CHILD MALTRE ATMENT; AND 2
(VII) REDUCING FAMILY VIOLE NCE. 3
(D) THE SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER THE PROGRAM SH ALL: 4
(1) BE VOLUNTARY AND CARRY NO NEGATIVE CO NSEQUENCES FOR A 5
FAMILY THAT DECLINES TO PARTICIPATE ; 6
(2) BE OFFERED IN EVERY C OMMUNITY IN THE STATE; 7
(3) INCLUDE AN EVIDENCE –BASED ASSESSMENT OF THE PHYSICAL , 8
SOCIAL, AND EMOTIONAL FACTOR S AFFECTING THE FAMI LY; 9
(4) BE OFFERED TO ALL FAMILIES WITH NEWBORNS RESIDING IN THE 10
COMMUNITY WHERE THE PROGRAM OPERATES ; 11
(5) INCLUDE AT LEAST ONE VISIT DURING A NEWBO RN’S FIRST 12 12
WEEKS OF LIFE WITH T HE OPPORTUNITY FOR T HE FAMILY TO RECEIVE UP TO THREE 13
ADDITIONAL VISITS DU RING A NEWBORN ’S FIRST 12 WEEKS OF LIFE; 14
(6) INCLUDE A FOLLOW –UP CALL OR SURVEY NO T LATER THAN 3 15
MONTHS AFTER THE LAS T VISIT; AND 16
(7) PROVIDE INFORMATION A ND REFERRALS TO ADDR ESS EACH 17
FAMILY’S IDENTIFIED AND SPE CIFIC NEEDS. 18
(E) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH BY REGULATION : 19
(I) THE DEFINITION OF A “COMMUNITY ” FOR PURPOSES OF 20
THIS SUBTITLE; AND 21
(II) IN ACCORDANCE WITH PA RAGRAPH (3) OF THIS 22
SUBSECTION, THE SELECTION PROCES S FOR A COMMUNITY LE AD TO MEET THE 23
NEEDS OF THE DESIGNA TED GEOGRAPHIC AREA . 24
(2) ENTITIES ELIGIBLE TO BE SELECTED TO SERVE AS A COMMUNITY 25
LEAD INCLUDE : 26
(I) LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH A GENCIES; 27
(II) LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ; 28
HOUSE BILL 334 7
(III) BIRTHING FACILITIES ; 1
(IV) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIO NS SPECIALIZING IN E ARLY 2
CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMEN T OR MATERNAL AND POSTPAR TUM HEALTH ; OR 3
(V) OTHER ORGANIZATIONS A S DETERMINED BY THE 4
DEPARTMENT . 5
(3) A COMMUNITY LEAD SHALL : 6
(I) IMPLEMENT A UNIVERSAL LY OFFERED NEWBORN N URSE 7
HOME VISITING SERVIC ES MODEL THAT HAS BE EN REVIEWED BY THE F EDERAL 8
ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO MEET THE U.S. DEPARTMENT 9
OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CRITERIA FOR AN EVIDENCE –BASED EARLY 10
CHILDHOOD HOME VISIT ING SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL; 11
(II) COORDINATE WITH ALL C ERTIFIED PROVIDERS I N ITS 12
IDENTIFIED COMMUNITY SO THAT ALL FAMILIES WI TH NEWBORNS ARE CONT ACTED 13
NOT LATER THAN 2 WEEKS AFTER THE BIRT H OF THE NEWBORN AND OFFERED 14
SERVICES; 15
(III) DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT STRATEGIES IN 16
COLLABORATION WITH T HE DEPARTMENT TO OBTAIN FUNDING TO FACILITAT E THE 17
PROVISION OF NEWBO RN NURSE HOME VISITI NG SERVICES; 18
(IV) COLLABORATE WITH OTHE R HOME VISITING PROV IDERS TO 19
INTEGRATE NEWBORN NU RSE HOME VISITING SE RVICES INTO THE EXIS TING 20
SERVICES FOR FAMILIE S IN THE IDENTIFIED COMMUNITY SO THAT A COORDINATED 21
SYSTEM OF SUPPORT IS IN PLACE; 22
(V) MAINTAIN A WRITTEN PL AN DESCRIBING HOW TH E 23
COMMUNITY LEAD WILL COMPLY WITH ITEMS (I) THROUGH (IV) OF THIS 24
PARAGRAPH ; 25
(VI) CONSIDER INPUT FROM A N ADVISORY BOARD EST ABLISHED 26
BY THE COMMUNITY LEA D THAT: 27
1. INCLUDES STAKEHOLDERS FROM THE IDENTIFIED 28
COMMUNITY WITH REPRE SENTATION FROM THE F OLLOWING WHERE APPLI CABLE: 29
A. PARENTS; 30
B. MEDICAL PROVIDERS ; 31
8 HOUSE BILL 334
C. HOSPITALS; 1
D. SOCIAL SERVICE PROVID ERS SERVICING FAMILI ES; 2
E. THE FEDERAL SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD 3
PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN; 4
F. CHILD PROTECTIVE SERV ICES; 5
G. EARLY LEARNING HUBS ; 6
H. TRIBAL LEADERSHIP ; 7
I. LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTME NTS; 8
J. MANAGED CARE ORGANIZA TIONS; 9
K. INSURERS; AND 10
L. NEWBORN NURSE HOME VI SITING SER VICE 11
PROVIDERS AND OTHER HOME VISITING PROVID ERS; AND 12
2. MEETS AT LEAST QUARTE RLY AND DISTRIBUTES 13
MEETING MINUTES TO B OARD MEMBERS AND CER TIFIED PROVIDERS IN THE 14
IDENTIFIED COMMUNITY ; 15
(VII) ENSURE LOCAL COMMUNIT Y RESOURCES ARE : 16
1. COMPILED IN A WEB–BASED FORMAT OR PRIN TED 17
DIRECTORY; AND 18
2. UPDATED AT LEAST QUAR TERLY FOR USE BY SER VICE 19
PROVIDERS; 20
(VIII) ENGAGE IN QUALITY ASS URANCE ACTIVITIES TH AT 21
INCLUDE: 22
1. A MONTHLY REVIEW OF DA TA INCLUDING KEY 23
PERFORMANCE INDICATO RS SUCH AS S CHEDULING RATE , COMPREHENSIVE 24
NEWBORN NURSE HOME V ISIT COMPLETION RATE , FOLLOW–UP RATE , 25
DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF FAMILIES RECEIVIN G SERVICES, AND COMMUNITY 26
CONNECTIONS AND REFE RRALS IN THE IDENTIF IED COMMUNITY ; 27
HOUSE BILL 334 9
2. A MONTHLY REVIEW OF FE EDBACK FROM THE 1
FAMILIES SERVED BY T HE UNIVERSAL NEWBORN NURSE HOME VISITING PROGRAM 2
IN THE IDENTIFIED CO MMUNITY USING STANDA RDIZED METHODOLOGY ; AND 3
3. MONITORING PROGRAM RE ACH IN THE IDENTIFIE D 4
COMMUNITY MEASURED B Y THE RATIO OF THE N UMBER OF COMPLETED 5
COMPREHENSIVE NEWBORN NURSE HOME V ISITS TO TOTAL BIRTH S IN THE 6
IDENTIFIED COMMUNITY , TAKING INTO CONSIDER ATION THE NUMBER OF BIRTHS 7
SERVED BY OTHER HOME VISITING PROVIDERS ; 8
(IX) PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT ACCESS TO DATA FOR 9
PROGRAM MONITORING A ND EVALUATION IN A MANNER AND FORMAT DE TERMINED 10
BY THE DEPARTMENT ; 11
(X) COORDINATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT TO ADDRESS 12
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT NEEDS; 13
(XI) ON A QUARTERLY BASIS , SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING 14
DE–IDENTIFIED DATA ELEC TRONICALLY TO THE DEPARTMENT IN A MANNE R AND 15
FORMAT DET ERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT : 16
1. THE NUMBER OF INFANTS BORN DURING THE 17
IMMEDIATELY PRECEDIN G QUARTER WHO RESIDE IN THE IDENTIFIED CO MMUNITY; 18
AND 19
2. FOR EACH CERTIFIED PR OVIDER IN THE IDENTI FIED 20
COMMUNITY : 21
A. SCHEDULING RATE ; 22
B. COMPREHENSIVE NEWBORN NURSE HOME VISIT 23
COMPLETION RATE ; 24
C. FOLLOW–UP RATE; 25
D. DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE O F FAMILIES RECEIVING 26
NEWBORN NURSE HOME V ISITING; 27
E. COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS AND REFERRALS ; 28
F. FEEDBACK FROM FAMILIE S AND REFERRAL PARTN ER 29
FEEDBACK; AND 30
10 HOUSE BILL 334
G. ANY OTHER DATA IDENTI FIED BY THE DEPARTMENT ; 1
AND 2
(XII) COLLABORATE AND COORD INATE WITH TRIBES 3
DESIGNATED AS COMMUN ITY LEADS OPERATING IN THE SAME GEOGRAPH IC AREA. 4
(F) IN COLLABORATION WITH THE MARYLAND INSURANCE 5
ADMINISTRATION , THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADOP T REGULATIONS CONSIS TENT 6
WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBTITLE EST ABLISHING: 7
(1) CRITERIA FOR UNIVERSA L NEWBORN NURSE HOME VISITING 8
SERVICES THAT ARE RE QUIRED TO BE COVERED BY ENTITIES IN ACCOR DANCE WITH 9
§ 15–861 OF THE INSURANCE ARTICLE; AND 10
(2) THE AMOUNT OF REIMBUR SEMENT TO BE PAID TO A PROVIDER OF 11
UNIVERSAL NEWBORN NU RSE HOME VISITING SE RVICES OR A METHODOL OGY TO 12
REIMBURSE THE COST O F PROVIDING UNIVERSA L NEWBORN NURSE HOME VISITING 13
SERVICES IN ACCORDAN CE WITH § 15–861 OF THE INSURANCE ARTICLE. 14
(G) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ADOPT BY REGULATION ANY RE ASONABLE 15
REIMBURSEMENT METHOD OLOGY, INCLUDING: 16
(1) VALUE–BASED PAYMENTS ; 17
(2) A CLAIM INVOICING PROC ESS; 18
(3) CAPITATED PAYMENT ; 19
(4) A REIMBURSEMENT METHOD OLOGY THAT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT 20
THE NEED FOR A COMMU NITY–BASED ENTITY PROVIDI NG UNIVERSAL NEWBORN 21
NURSE HOME VISITING SERVICES TO EXPAND T HE ENTITY’S CAPACITY TO PROVID E 22
THE SERVICES AND ADD RESS HEALTH DISPARIT IES; OR 23
(5) ANY OTHER METHODOLOGY AGREED TO BY A CARRI ER AND THE 24
PROVIDER OF THE UNIV ERSAL NURSE HOME VIS ITING SERVICES. 25
(H) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL : 26
(1) COLLECT AND ANALYZE D ATA GENERATED BY THE PROGRAM TO 27
ASSESS THE EFFECTIVE NESS OF THE PROGRAM IN MEETING THE AIMS DESCRIBED 28
IN SUBSECTION (C)(7) OF THIS SECTION; AND 29
(2) COORDINATE WITH OTHER STATE AGENCIES TO DEV ELOP 30
PROTOCOLS FOR SHARIN G DATA, INCLUDING THE TIMELY SHARING OF DATA WITH 31 HOUSE BILL 334 11
PRIMARY CARE PROVIDE RS OF THE FAMILIES W ITH NEWBORNS RECEIVI NG THE 1
SERVICES. 2
(I) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH THE FORM AND MANNER IN 3
WHICH DATA REQUIRED UNDER § 15–861 OF THE INSURANCE ARTICLE SHALL BE 4
SUBMITTED. 5
(2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL USE THE DATA REQUIRED UN DER § 6
15–861 OF THE INSURANCE ARTICLE TO MONITOR TH E PROVISION OF UNIVE RSAL 7
NEWBORN NURSE HOME V ISITING SERVICES. 8
(J) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADOP T REGULATIONS TO CAR RY OUT THIS 9
SECTION. 10
(K) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1 EACH YEAR, BEGINNING IN 2026, THE 11
DEPARTMENT SHALL REPO RT TO THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THE 12
HOUSE HEALTH AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE, IN ACCORDANCE 13
WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, ON THE STATUS OF THE 14
PROVISION OF UNIVERS AL NEWBORN NURSE HOM E VISITING SERVICES IN THE 15
STATE. 16
Article – Insurance 17
15–861. 18
(A) THIS SECTION APPLIES TO: 19
(1) INSURERS AND NONPROF IT HEALTH SERVICE PLANS THAT 20
PROVIDE HOSPITAL , MEDICAL, OR SURGICAL BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS OR GR OUPS 21
ON AN EXPENSE –INCURRED BASIS UNDER HEALTH INSURANCE POL ICIES OR 22
CONTRACTS THAT ARE I SSUED OR DELIVERED I N THE STATE; AND 23
(2) HEALTH MAINTENANCE O RGANIZATIONS THA T PROVIDE 24
HOSPITAL, MEDICAL, OR SURGICAL BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS OR GR OUPS UNDER 25
CONTRACTS THAT ARE I SSUED OR DELIVERED I N THE STATE. 26
(B) AN ENTITY SUBJECT TO THIS SECTION SHALL P ROVIDE COVERAGE AND 27
REIMBURSEMENT IN FUL L FOR THE COST TO A PROVIDER FOR D ELIVERING 28
UNIVERSAL NEWBORN NU RSE HOME VISITING SE RVICES AS REQUIRED B Y THE 29
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH UNDER § 13–5502(F) OF THE 30
HEALTH – GENERAL ARTICLE. 31
(C) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , 32
AN ENTITY SUBJECT TO THIS SECTION MAY NOT IMPO SE A COPAYMENT , 33 12 HOUSE BILL 334
COINSURANCE , OR DEDUCTIBLE REQUIR EMENT ON COVERAGE FO R UNIVERSAL 1
NEWBORN NURSE HOME V ISITING SERVICES. 2
(2) IF AN INSURED OR ENRO LLEE IS COVERED UNDE R A 3
HIGH–DEDUCTIBLE HEALTH PL AN, AS DEFINED IN 26 U.S.C. § 223, AN ENTITY 4
SUBJECT TO THIS SECT ION MAY SUBJECT COVE RAGE FOR UNIVERSAL N EWBORN 5
NURSE HOME VISITING SERVICES TO THE DEDU CTIBLE REQUIREMENT O F THE 6
HIGH–DEDUCTIBLE PLAN . 7
(D) AN INSURED OR ENROLLE E MAY NOT BE REQUIRE D TO RECEIVE 8
UNIVERSAL NEWBORN NU RSE HOME VISIT ING SERVICES AS A CO NDITION OF 9
COVERAGE AND MAY NOT BE PENALIZED OR IN A NY WAY DISCOURAGED F ROM 10
DECLINING THE SERVIC ES. 11
(E) AN ENTITY SUBJECT TO THIS SECTION SHALL N OTIFY AN INSURED OR 12
ENROLLEE ABOUT THE U NIVERSAL NEWBORN NUR SE HOME VISITING SER VICES 13
WHENEVER AN INSURED OR ENROLLEE ADDS A NEWB ORN TO COVERAGE . 14
(F) AN ENTITY SUBJECT TO THIS SECTION MAY USE IN–NETWORK 15
PROVIDERS OR CONTRAC T WITH LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH AUTHORITIES T O PROVIDE 16
UNIVERSAL NEWBORN NU RSE HOME VISITING SE RVICES. 17
(G) ENTITIES SUBJ ECT TO THIS SECTION SHALL REPORT TO THE 18
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, IN THE FORM AND MANN ER REQUIRED BY 19
THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH UNDER § 13–5502 OF THE 20
HEALTH – GENERAL ARTICLE, DATA REGARDING CLAIM S SUBMITTED FOR 21
SERVICES COVERED UND ER THIS SECTION TO MONITOR T HE PROVISION OF THE 22
SERVICES. 23
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Maryland Department of 24
Health may apply for a waiver under 42 U.S.C. 18052 to obtain federal financial 25
participation in the cost of services provided under Section 1 of this Act. 26
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall apply to all 27
policies, contracts, and health benefit plans issued, delivered, or renewed in the State on or 28
after January 1, 2026. 29
SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, T hat this Act shall take effect 30
January 1, 2026. 31
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 32
1, 2025. It shall remain effective for a period of 1 year and, at the end of June 30, 2026, this 33
Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no 34
further force and effect. 35