EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDE D TO EXISTING 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.
Italics indicate opposite chamber/conference committee amendments.
*sb0156*
SENATE BILL 156
J1, J5 (5lr1587)
ENROLLED BILL
— Finance/Health and Government Operations —
Introduced by Senator Lewis Young
Read and Examined by Proofreaders:
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, for his approval this
_______ day of _______________ at ________________ ________ o’clock, ________M.
______________________________________________
President.
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Workgroup on Universal 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 Universal Newborn Nurse Home Visiting Services; 12
and generally relating to the Workgroup on Universal Newborn Nurse Home Visiting 13
Services. 14
2 SENATE BILL 156
BY adding to 1
Article – Health – General 2
Section 13–5501 and 13–5502 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 55. Universal 3
Newborn Nurse Home Visiting Program” 4
Annotated Code of Maryland 5
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 6
BY adding to 7
Article – Insurance 8
Section 15–861 9
Annotated Code of Maryland 10
(2017 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 11
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 12
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 13
(a) There is a Workgroup on Universal Newborn Nurse Home Visiting Services 14
in the State. 15
(b) The Workgroup consists of the following members: 16
(1) one member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of 17
the Senate; 18
(2) one member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the 19
House; 20
(3) the Secretary of Health, or the Secretary’s designee; and 21
(4) the following members, appointed by the Governor: 22
(i) one representative of the Maryland Hospital Association; 23
(ii) one representative each from: 24
1. The Family Tree for Baltimore City; 25
2. Family Connects Frederick; and 26
3. Family Connects Prince George’s; and 27
(iii) two members representing private insurance carriers. 28
(ii) one representative from each certified site in the State 29
implementing an evidence–based universal nurse home visiting model for families with 30
newborns; 31
SENATE BILL 156 3
(iii) one representative from an organization in the State 1
implementing at least two approved Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting 2
models; 3
(iv) one representative of a private insurance carrier; 4
(v) one representative of the Maryland Nurses Association; 5
(vi) one representative of B’More for Health Babies Initiative; 6
(vii) one representative from a local health department; 7
(viii) one pediatrician licensed in the State; 8
(ix) one nurse midwife licensed in the State; 9
(x) one obstetrician licensed in the State; and 10
(xi) one representative of a federally qualified health center. 11
(c) The members of the Workgroup shall designate the chair and vice chair of the 12
Workgroup. 13
(d) The Maryland Family Network, in collaboration with the Maryland 14
Department of Health shall, may provide staff for the Workgroup. 15
(e) A member of the Workgroup: 16
(1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Workgroup; but 17
(2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State 18
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 19
(f) The Workgroup shall: 20
(1) compile updated patient data and expenditures per patient from the 21
Family Connect Programs currently operating in the State; 22
(2) compare other maternal and newborn health programs in the State and 23
in other states to the Family Connect Programs; and 24
(3) identify service gaps between the Family Connect Programs and 25
similar programs and potential funding sources to close the gaps. 26
(1) compile updated participant data and expenditures per participant from 27
the home visiting for families with newborns programs currently operating in the State; 28
4 SENATE BILL 156
(2) compare the data for home visiting for families with newborns programs 1
in the State to the data for evidence–based models for universal nurse home visiting for 2
families with newborns; 3
(3) (i) identify service gaps between the evidence–based models for 4
universal nurse home visiting for families with newborns and operational home visiting for 5
families with newborns programs; 6
(ii) identify opportunities to align the evidence–based models for 7
universal nurse home visiting for families with newborns with operational home visiting for 8
families with newborns programs operating in the State; and 9
(iii) identify potential funding sources to close the identified service 10
gaps; and 11
(4) identify workforce needs, including issues related to cultural 12
competency, for the evidence–based models for universal newborn nurse home visiting for 13
families with newborns and recommendations to address the workforce needs. 14
(g) On or before December 31, 2025, the Workgroup shall report its findings and 15
recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2 –1257 of the State 16
Government Article, the General Assembly. 17
Article – Health – General 18
SUBTITLE 55. UNIVERSAL NEWBORN NURSE HOME VISITING PROGRAM. 19
13–5501. 20
IN THIS SUBTITLE , “PROGRAM” MEANS THE STATEWIDE PROGRAM TO 21
PROVIDE UNIVERSAL NE WBORN NURSE HOME VIS ITING SERVICES IMPLE MENTED 22
UNDER § 13–5502(A) OF THIS SUBTITLE. 23
13–5502. 24
(A) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DESI GN, IMPLEMENT, AND MAINTAIN A 25
VOLUNTARY STATEWIDE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE UNIVERSAL NEWBORN NURSE 26
HOME VISITING SERVIC ES TO ALL FAMILIES W ITH NEWBORNS RESIDIN G IN THE 27
STATE. 28
(2) THE PURPOSES OF THE P ROGRAM ARE TO : 29
(I) SUPPORT HEALTHY CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND 30
POSTPARTUM HEALTH ; AND 31
(II) STRENGTHEN FAMILIES . 32 SENATE BILL 156 5
(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DESI GN THE UNIVERSAL NEW BORN 1
NURSE HOME VISITING PROGRAM TO BE FLEXIB LE SO AS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF 2
THE COMMUNITIES IN W HICH THE PROGRAM OPE RATES. 3
(B) IN DESIGNING THE PROG RAM, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONS ULT, 4
COORDINATE , AND COLLABORATE , AS NECESSARY, WITH: 5
(1) INSURERS THAT OFFER H EALTH BENEFITS PLANS IN THE STATE; 6
(2) HOSPITALS; 7
(3) LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH A UTHORITIES; 8
(4) THE DIVISION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD IN THE DEPARTMENT OF 9
EDUCATION; 10
(5) EXISTING EARLY CHILDH OOD AND UNIVERSAL NE WBORN HOME 11
VISITING PROGRAMS ; 12
(6) COMMUNITY–BASED ORGANIZATIONS ; 13
(7) A NATIONAL TRAINING IN STITUTE FOR UNIVERSA L NEWBORN 14
HOME VISITING; 15
(8) SOCIAL SERVICES PROVI DERS; AND 16
(9) ANY OTHER EXPERTS , GROUPS, OR ORGANIZATIONS AS THE 17
SECRETARY DETERMINES APPROPRIATE . 18
(C) THE PROGRAM SHALL PRO VIDE NURSE HOME VISI TING SERVICES THAT 19
ARE: 20
(1) IDENTIFIED AS AN EVID ENCE–BASED EARLY CHILDHOO D HOME 21
VISITING SERVICE DEL IVERY MODEL UNDER TH E CRITERIA ESTABLISH ED BY THE 22
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES; 23
(2) SUPPORTED BY A NATION AL CENTER THAT PROVI DES TRAINING, 24
MONITORING , AND TECHNICAL SUPPOR T; 25
(3) PROVIDED BY A COMMUNI TY LEAD AGENCY DESIG NATED TO 26
SERVE A DEFINED COMM UNITY; 27
(4) PROVIDED BY REGISTERED NURSES LI CENSED IN THE STATE; 28 6 SENATE BILL 156
(5) OFFERED TO: 1
(I) FAMILIES CARING FOR N EWBORNS UP TO THE AG E OF 12 2
WEEKS, INCLUDING FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE NEWBORNS ; AND 3
(II) BIRTHING INDIVIDUALS WITHIN 12 WEEKS AFTER 4
DELIVERY OF A LIVE B IRTH OR STILLBI RTH; 5
(6) PROVIDED: 6
(I) IN THE FAMILY’S HOME; OR 7
(II) VIRTUALLY; AND 8
(7) AIMED AT IMPROVING OU TCOMES IN ONE OR MOR E OF THE 9
FOLLOWING DOMAINS ; 10
(I) INFANT AND CHILD HEAL TH; 11
(II) CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOOL READINESS ; 12
(III) MATERNAL AND POSTPARTUM HEALT H; 13
(IV) FAMILY ECONOMIC SELF –SUFFICIENCY; 14
(V) POSITIVE PARENTING ; 15
(VI) REDUCING CHILD MALTRE ATMENT; AND 16
(VII) REDUCING FAMILY VIOLE NCE. 17
(D) THE SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER THE PROGRAM SH ALL: 18
(1) BE VOLUNTARY AND CARR Y NO NEGATIVE CONSEQUE NCES FOR A 19
FAMILY THAT DECLINES TO PARTICIPATE ; 20
(2) BE OFFERED IN EVERY C OMMUNITY IN THE STATE; 21
(3) INCLUDE AN EVIDENCE –BASED ASSESSMENT OF THE PHYSICAL , 22
SOCIAL, AND EMOTIONAL FACTOR S AFFECTING THE FAMI LY; 23
(4) BE OFFERED TO ALL FAMILIES WITH NE WBORNS RESIDING IN T HE 24
COMMUNITY WHERE THE PROGRAM OPERATES ; 25
SENATE BILL 156 7
(5) INCLUDE AT LEAST ONE VISIT DURING A NEWBO RN’S FIRST 12 1
WEEKS OF LIFE WITH T HE OPPORTUNITY FOR T HE FAMILY TO RECEIVE UP TO THREE 2
ADDITIONAL VISITS DU RING A NEWBORN ’S FIRST 12 WEEKS OF LIFE; 3
(6) INCLUDE A FOLLOW –UP CALL OR SURVEY NO T LATER THAN 3 4
MONTHS AFTER THE LAS T VISIT; AND 5
(7) PROVIDE INFORMATION A ND REFERRALS TO ADDR ESS EACH 6
FAMILY’S IDENTIFIED AND SPE CIFIC NEEDS. 7
(E) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH BY REGULATION : 8
(I) THE DEFINITION OF A “COMMUNITY ” FOR PURPOSES OF 9
THIS SUBTITLE; AND 10
(II) IN ACCORDANCE WITH PA RAGRAPH (3) OF THIS 11
SUBSECTION, THE SELECTION PROCES S FOR A COMMUNITY LE AD TO MEET THE 12
NEEDS OF THE DESIGNA TED GEOGRAPHIC AREA . 13
(2) ENTITIES ELIGIBLE TO BE SELECTED TO SERVE AS A COMMUNITY 14
LEAD INCLUDE : 15
(I) LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH A GENCIES; 16
(II) LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ; 17
(III) BIRTHING FACILITIES ; 18
(IV) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIO NS SPECIALIZING IN E ARLY 19
CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMEN T OR MATERNAL AND POSTPARTUM HEALT H; OR 20
(V) OTHER ORGANIZATIONS A S DETERMINED BY THE 21
DEPARTMENT . 22
(3) A COMMUNITY LEAD SHALL : 23
(I) IMPLEMENT A UNIVERSAL LY OFFERED NEWBORN N URSE 24
HOME VISITING SERVIC ES MODEL THAT HAS BE EN REVIEWED BY THE F EDERAL 25
ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO MEET THE U.S. DEPARTMENT 26
OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CRITERIA FOR AN EVIDENCE –BASED EARLY 27
CHILDHOOD HOME VISIT ING SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL; 28
(II) COORDINATE WITH ALL C ERTIFIED PROVIDERS I N ITS 29
IDENTIFIED COMMUNITY SO THAT ALL FAMILIES WITH NEWBOR NS ARE CONTACTED 30 8 SENATE BILL 156
NOT LATER THAN 2 WEEKS AFTER THE BIRT H OF THE NEWBORN AND OFFERED 1
SERVICES; 2
(III) DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT STRATEGIES IN 3
COLLABORATION WITH T HE DEPARTMENT TO OBTAIN FUNDING TO FACILITAT E THE 4
PROVISION OF NEWBORN NURSE HOME VISITING SERVIC ES; 5
(IV) COLLABORATE WITH OTHE R HOME VISITING PROV IDERS TO 6
INTEGRATE NEWBORN NU RSE HOME VISITING SE RVICES INTO THE EXIS TING 7
SERVICES FOR FAMILIE S IN THE IDENTIFIED COMMUNITY SO THAT A COORDINATED 8
SYSTEM OF SUPPORT IS IN PLACE; 9
(V) MAINTAIN A WRITTEN PL AN DESCRIBING HOW TH E 10
COMMUNITY LEAD WILL COMPLY WITH ITEMS (I) THROUGH (IV) OF THIS 11
PARAGRAPH ; 12
(VI) CONSIDER INPUT FROM A N ADVISORY BOARD EST ABLISHED 13
BY THE COMMUNITY LEA D THAT: 14
1. INCLUDES STAKEHOLDERS FROM THE IDENTIF IED 15
COMMUNITY WITH REPRE SENTATION FROM THE F OLLOWING WHERE APPLI CABLE: 16
A. PARENTS; 17
B. MEDICAL PROVIDERS ; 18
C. HOSPITALS; 19
D. SOCIAL SERVICE PROVID ERS SERVICING FAMILI ES; 20
E. THE FEDERAL SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD 21
PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN; 22
F. CHILD PROTECTIVE SERV ICES; 23
G. EARLY LEARNING HUBS ; 24
H. TRIBAL LEADERSHIP ; 25
I. LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTME NTS; 26
J. MANAGED CARE ORGANIZA TIONS; 27
K. INSURERS; AND 28 SENATE BILL 156 9
L. NEWBORN NURSE HOME VI SITING SERVICE 1
PROVIDERS AND OTHER HOME VISITING PROVID ERS; AND 2
2. MEETS AT LEAST QUARTE RLY AND DISTRIBUTES 3
MEETING MINUTES TO B OARD MEMBERS AND CER TIFIED PROVIDERS IN THE 4
IDENTIFIED COMMUNITY ; 5
(VII) ENSURE LOCAL COMMUNIT Y RESOURCES ARE : 6
1. COMPILED IN A W EB–BASED FORMAT OR PRIN TED 7
DIRECTORY; AND 8
2. UPDATED AT LEAST QUAR TERLY FOR USE BY SER VICE 9
PROVIDERS; 10
(VIII) ENGAGE IN QUALITY ASS URANCE ACTIVITIES TH AT 11
INCLUDE: 12
1. A MONTHLY REVIEW OF DA TA INCLUDING KEY 13
PERFORMANCE INDICATO RS SUCH AS SCHEDULING RATE , COMPREHENSIVE 14
NEWBORN NURSE HOME V ISIT COMPLETION RATE , FOLLOW–UP RATE , 15
DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF FAMILIES RECEIVIN G SERVICES, AND COMMUNITY 16
CONNECTIONS AND REFE RRALS IN THE IDENTIF IED COMMUNITY ; 17
2. A MONTHLY REVIEW OF FE EDBACK FROM THE 18
FAMILIES SERVED BY T HE UNIVERSAL NEWBORN NURSE HOME VISITING PROGRAM 19
IN THE IDENTIFIED CO MMUNITY USING STANDA RDIZED METHODOLOGY ; AND 20
3. MONITORING PROGRAM RE ACH IN THE IDENTIFIE D 21
COMMUNITY MEASURED B Y THE RATIO OF THE N UMBER OF COMPLETED 22
COMPREHENSIV E NEWBORN NURSE HOME VISITS TO TOTAL BIRT HS IN THE 23
IDENTIFIED COMMUNITY , TAKING INTO CONSIDER ATION THE NUMBER OF BIRTHS 24
SERVED BY OTHER HOME VISITING PROVIDERS ; 25
(IX) PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT ACCESS TO DATA FOR 26
PROGRAM MONITORING A ND EVALUATION IN A M ANNER AND FORMAT DETERM INED 27
BY THE DEPARTMENT ; 28
(X) COORDINATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT TO ADDRESS 29
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT NEEDS; 30
10 SENATE BILL 156
(XI) ON A QUARTERLY BASIS , SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING 1
DE–IDENTIFIED DATA ELEC TRONICALLY TO THE DEPARTMENT IN A MANNE R AND 2
FORMAT DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT : 3
1. THE NUMBER OF INFANTS BORN DURING THE 4
IMMEDIATELY PRECEDIN G QUARTER WHO RESIDE IN THE IDENTIFIED CO MMUNITY; 5
AND 6
2. FOR EACH CERTIFIED PR OVIDER IN THE IDENTI FIED 7
COMMUNITY : 8
A. SCHEDULING RATE ; 9
B. COMPREHE NSIVE NEWBORN NURSE HOME VISIT 10
COMPLETION RATE ; 11
C. FOLLOW–UP RATE; 12
D. DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE O F FAMILIES RECEIVING 13
NEWBORN NURSE HOME V ISITING; 14
E. COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS AND REFERRALS ; 15
F. FEEDBACK FROM FAMILIE S AND REFERRAL PARTN ER 16
FEEDBACK; AND 17
G. ANY OTHER DATA IDENTI FIED BY THE DEPARTMENT ; 18
AND 19
(XII) COLLABORATE AND COORD INATE WITH TRIBES 20
DESIGNATED AS COMMUN ITY LEADS OPERATING IN THE SAME GEOGRAPH IC AREA. 21
(F) IN COLLABORATION WITH THE MARYLAND INSURANCE 22
ADMINISTRATION , THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADOP T REGULATIONS CONSIS TENT 23
WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBTITLE EST ABLISHING: 24
(1) CRITERIA FOR UNIVERSA L NEWBORN NURSE HOME VISITING 25
SERVICES THAT ARE RE QUIRED TO BE COVERED BY ENTITIES IN ACCOR DANCE WITH 26
§ 15–861 OF THE INSURANCE ARTICLE; AND 27
(2) THE AMOUNT OF REIMBUR SEMENT TO BE PAID TO A PROVIDER OF 28
UNIVERSAL NEWBORN NU RSE HOME VISITING SE RVICES OR A METHODOL OGY TO 29
REIMBURSE THE COST O F PROVIDING UNIVERSA L NEWBORN NURSE HOME VISITING 30
SERVICES IN ACCORDAN CE WITH § 15–861 OF THE INSURANCE ARTICLE. 31 SENATE BILL 156 11
(G) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ADOPT BY REGULATION ANY RE ASONABLE 1
REIMBURSEMENT METHOD OLOGY, INCLUDING: 2
(1) VALUE–BASED PAYMENTS ; 3
(2) A CLAIM INVOICING PROC ESS; 4
(3) CAPITATED PAYMENT ; 5
(4) A REIMBURSEMENT METHOD OLOGY THAT TAKES INT O ACCOUNT 6
THE NEED FOR A COMMU NITY–BASED ENTITY PROVIDI NG UNIVERSAL NEWBORN 7
NURSE HOME VISITING SERVICES TO EXPAND T HE ENTITY’S CAPACITY TO PROVID E 8
THE SERVICES AND ADD RESS HEALTH DISPARIT IES; OR 9
(5) ANY OTHER METHODOLOGY AGREED TO BY A CARRI ER AND THE 10
PROVIDER OF THE UNIVER SAL NURSE HOME VISIT ING SERVICES. 11
(H) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL : 12
(1) COLLECT AND ANALYZE D ATA GENERATED BY THE PROGRAM TO 13
ASSESS THE EFFECTIVE NESS OF THE PROGRAM IN MEETING THE AIMS DESCRIBED 14
IN SUBSECTION (C)(7) OF THIS SECTION; AND 15
(2) COORDINATE WITH OTHER STATE AGENCIES TO DEV ELOP 16
PROTOCOLS FOR SHARIN G DATA, INCLUDING THE TIMELY SHARING OF DATA WITH 17
PRIMARY CARE PROVIDE RS OF THE FAMILIES W ITH NEWBORNS RECEIVI NG THE 18
SERVICES. 19
(I) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH THE FORM AND MANNER IN 20
WHICH DATA REQUIRED UNDER § 15–861 OF THE INSURANCE ARTICLE SHALL BE 21
SUBMITTED. 22
(2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL USE THE DATA REQUIRED UN DER § 23
15–861 OF THE INSURANCE ARTICLE TO MONITOR TH E PROVISION OF UNIVE RSAL 24
NEWBORN NURSE HOME V ISITING SERVICES. 25
(J) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADOP T REGULATIONS TO CAR RY OUT THIS 26
SECTION. 27
(K) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1 EACH YEAR, BEGINNING IN 2026, THE 28
DEPARTMENT SHALL REPO RT TO THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THE 29
HOUSE HEALTH AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE, IN ACCORDANCE 30
WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, ON THE STATUS OF THE 31 12 SENATE BILL 156
PROVISION OF UNIVERS AL NEWBORN NURSE HOM E VISITING SERVICES IN THE 1
STATE. 2
Article – Insurance 3
15–861. 4
(A) THIS SECTION APPLIES TO: 5
(1) INSURERS AND NONPROF IT HEALTH SERVIC E PLANS THAT 6
PROVIDE HOSPITAL , MEDICAL, OR SURGICAL BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS OR GR OUPS 7
ON AN EXPENSE –INCURRED BASIS UNDER HEALTH INSURANCE POL ICIES OR 8
CONTRACTS THAT ARE I SSUED OR DELIVERED I N THE STATE; AND 9
(2) HEALTH MAINTENANCE O RGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE 10
HOSPITAL, MEDICAL, OR SURGICAL BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS OR GR OUPS UNDER 11
CONTRACTS THAT ARE I SSUED OR DELIVERED I N THE STATE. 12
(B) AN ENTITY SUBJECT TO THIS SECTION SHALL P ROVIDE COVERAGE AND 13
REIMBURSEMENT IN FUL L FOR THE COST TO A PROVIDER FOR DEL IVERING 14
UNIVERSAL NEWBORN NU RSE HOME VISITING SE RVICES AS REQUIRED B Y THE 15
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH UNDER § 13–5502(F) OF THE 16
HEALTH – GENERAL ARTICLE. 17
(C) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , 18
AN ENTITY SUBJECT TO THIS SECTION MAY NOT IMPOSE A COP AYMENT, 19
COINSURANCE , OR DEDUCTIBLE REQUIR EMENT ON COVERAGE FO R UNIVERSAL 20
NEWBORN NURSE HOME V ISITING SERVICES. 21
(2) IF AN INSURED OR ENRO LLEE IS COVERED UNDE R A 22
HIGH–DEDUCTIBLE HEALTH PL AN, AS DEFINED IN 26 U.S.C. § 223, AN ENTITY 23
SUBJECT TO THIS SECT ION MAY SUBJECT COVE RAGE FOR UNIVERSAL N EWBORN 24
NURSE HOME VISITING SERVICES TO THE DEDU CTIBLE REQUIREMENT O F THE 25
HIGH–DEDUCTIBLE PLAN . 26
(D) AN INSURED OR ENROLLE E MAY NOT BE REQUIRE D TO RECEIVE 27
UNIVERSAL NEWBORN NU RSE HOME VISITING SE RVICES AS A CONDITION OF 28
COVERAGE AND MAY NOT BE PENALIZED OR IN A NY WAY DISCOURAGED F ROM 29
DECLINING THE SERVIC ES. 30
(E) AN ENTITY SUBJECT TO THIS SECTION SHALL N OTIFY AN INSURED OR 31
ENROLLEE ABOUT THE U NIVERSAL NEWBORN NUR SE HOME VISITING SER VICES 32
WHENEVER AN INSURED OR ENROLLEE ADDS A N EWBORN TO COVERAGE . 33
SENATE BILL 156 13
(F) AN ENTITY SUBJECT TO THIS SECTION MAY USE IN–NETWORK 1
PROVIDERS OR CONTRAC T WITH LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH AUTHORITIES T O PROVIDE 2
UNIVERSAL NEWBORN NU RSE HOME VISITING SE RVICES. 3
(G) ENTITIES SU BJECT TO THIS SECTIO N SHALL REPORT TO TH E 4
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, IN THE FORM AND MANN ER REQUIRED BY 5
THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH UNDER § 13–5502 OF THE 6
HEALTH – GENERAL ARTICLE, DATA REGARDING CLAIM S SUBMITTED FOR 7
SERVICES COVERED UND ER THIS SECTION TO MONITOR T HE PROVISION OF THE 8
SERVICES. 9
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Maryland Department of 10
Health may apply for a waiver under 42 U.S.C. 18052 to obtain federal financial 11
participation in the cost of services provided under Section 1 of this Act. 12
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall apply to all 13
policies, contracts, and health benefit plans issued, delivered, or renewed in the State on or 14
after January 1, 2026. 15
SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, T hat this Act shall take effect 16
January 1, 2026. 17
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 18
1, 2025. It shall remain effective for a period of 1 year and, at the end of June 30, 2026, this 19
Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no 20
further force and effect. 21
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.