MD
Maryland Senate Bill SB696

Maryland 2025 Regular Session

Maryland Senate Bill SB696 Compare Versions

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33 EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
44 [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
5- Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
6- Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
7-amendment.
85 *sb0696*
96
107 SENATE BILL 696
118 J1, J3 5lr2222
12- CF HB 962
9+ CF 5lr2475
1310 By: Senator Beidle
1411 Introduced and read first time: January 26, 2025
1512 Assigned to: Finance
16-Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
17-Senate action: Adopted with floor amendments
18-Read second time: March 18, 2025
1913
20-CHAPTER ______
14+A BILL ENTITLED
2115
2216 AN ACT concerning 1
2317
24-Public Health – Pediatric Hospital Overstay Patients and Workgroup on 2
25-Children in Unlicensed Settings and Pediatric Overstays 3
18+Public Health – Pediatric Hospital Overstay Patients 2
2619
27-FOR the purpose of specifying that the scope of the Maryland Mental Health and Substance 4
28-Use Disorder Registry and Referral System includes both private and State inpatient 5
29-and outpatient mental health and substance use services; requiring the Maryland 6
30-Department of Health, in coordination with and the Department of Human Services, 7
31-under certain circumstances, to ensure pediatric hospital overstay patients are 8
32-placed in the least restrictive setting when clinically indicated and when possible; 9
33-authorizing a hospital to concurrently explore in–State and out–of–state placements 10
34-for pediatric hospital overstay patients; establishing the requiring the Maryland 11
35-Department of Health and the Department of Human Services to establish a 12
36-Pediatric Hospital Overstay Coordinator within the Governor’s Office for Children; 13
37-requiring the Maryland Department of Health to conduct a certain study and review 14
38-of residential treatment center and respite facility rates; each department; 15
39-establishing the Workgroup on Children in Unlicensed Settings and Pediatric 16
40-Overstays in the State; and generally relating to pediatric hospital overstay patients 17
41-and children in unlicensed settings. 18
20+FOR the purpose of specifying that the scope of the Maryland Mental Health and Substance 3
21+Use Disorder Registry and Referral System includes both private and State inpatient 4
22+and outpatient mental health and substance use services; requiring the Maryland 5
23+Department of Health, in coordination with the Department of Human Services, to 6
24+ensure pediatric hospital overstay patients are placed in the least restrictive setting 7
25+possible; authorizing a hospital to concurrently explore in–State and out–of–state 8
26+placements for pediatric hospital overstay patients; establishing the Pediatric 9
27+Hospital Overstay Coordinator within the Governor’s Office for Children; requiring 10
28+the Maryland Department of Health to conduct a certain study and review of 11
29+residential treatment center and respite facility rates; and generally relating to 12
30+pediatric hospital overstay patients. 13
4231
43-BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 19
32+BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 14
33+ Article – Health – General 15
34+ Section 7.5–802(a) and (d) 16
35+ Annotated Code of Maryland 17
36+ (2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 18
37+
38+BY adding to 19
4439 Article – Health – General 20
45- Section 7.5–802(a) and (d) 21
46- Annotated Code of Maryland 22
47- (2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 23
48- 2 SENATE BILL 696
40+ Section 19–388 through 19–390 to be under the new part “Part XII. Pediatric 21
41+ Overstay” 22
42+ Annotated Code of Maryland 23
43+ (2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 24
44+
45+BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 25
46+ Article – State Government 26
47+Section 9–2801 27
48+ Annotated Code of Maryland 28 2 SENATE BILL 696
4949
5050
51-BY adding to 1
52- Article – Health – General 2
53- Section 19–388 through 19–390 to be under the new part “Part XII. Pediatric 3
54- Overstay” 4
51+ (2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 1
52+
53+BY adding to 2
54+ Article – State Government 3
55+Section 9–2806 4
5556 Annotated Code of Maryland 5
56- (2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 6
57+ (2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 6
5758
58-BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 7
59- Article – State Government 8
60-Section 9–2801 9
61- Annotated Code of Maryland 10
62- (2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 11
59+ SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 7
60+That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 8
6361
64-BY adding to 12
65- Article – State Government 13
66-Section 9–2806 14
67- Annotated Code of Maryland 15
68- (2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 16
62+Article – Health – General 9
6963
70- SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 17
71-That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 18
64+7.5–802. 10
7265
73-Article – Health – General 19
66+ (a) (1) There is a Maryland Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder 11
67+Registry and Referral System in the Department. 12
7468
75-7.5–802. 20
69+ (2) The purpose of the Registry and Referral System is to provide a 13
70+statewide system through which health care providers can identify and access available 14
71+PRIVATE AND STATE inpatient and outpatient mental health and substance use services 15
72+for patients in a seamless manner. 16
7673
77- (a) (1) There is a Maryland Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder 21
78-Registry and Referral System in the Department. 22
74+ (3) Subject to the availability of funds, the Department shall develop and 17
75+implement the Registry and Referral System, in collaboration with the State–designated 18
76+Health Information Exchange. 19
7977
80- (2) The purpose of the Registry and Referral System is to provide a 23
81-statewide system through which health care providers can identify and access available 24
82-PRIVATE AND STATE inpatient and outpatient mental health and substance use services 25
83-for patients in a seamless manner. 26
78+ (4) The Registry and Referral System shall include: 20
8479
85- (3) Subject to the availability of funds, the Department shall develop and 27
86-implement the Registry and Referral System, in collaboration with the State–designated 28
87-Health Information Exchange. 29
80+ (i) A searchable inventory of any PRIVATE OR STATE provider of 21
81+mental health and substance use disorder services, including inpatient, crisis, and 22
82+outpatient services; 23
8883
89- (4) The Registry and Referral System shall include: 30
84+ (ii) The capability to allow a provider of mental health and substance 24
85+use disorder services to update registry information including the real–time availability of 25
86+services; and 26
9087
91- (i) A searchable inventory of any PRIVATE OR STATE provider of 31
92-mental health and substance use disorder services, including inpatient, crisis, and 32
93-outpatient services; 33
88+ (iii) An electronic referral system that is available to any health care 27
89+provider in the State to facilitate electronic referrals to mental health and substance use 28
90+disorder providers. 29
9491
95- (ii) The capability to allow a provider of mental health and substance 34
96-use disorder services to update registry information including the real–time availability of 35
97-services; and 36 SENATE BILL 696 3
92+ (d) Each PRIVATE AND STATE hospital shall ensure the availability of staff to 30
93+identify appropriate and available services for patients in the hospital who are in need of 31
94+mental health or substance use disorder services and to assist the patient in accessing the 32
95+services. 33
96+
97+19–386. RESERVED. 34 SENATE BILL 696 3
9898
9999
100100
101- (iii) An electronic referral system that is available to any health care 1
102-provider in the State to facilitate electronic referrals to mental health and substance use 2
103-disorder providers. 3
101+19–387. RESERVED. 1
104102
105- (d) Each PRIVATE AND STATE hospital shall ensure the availability of staff to 4
106-identify appropriate and available services for patients in the hospital who are in need of 5
107-mental health or substance use disorder services and to assist the patient in accessing the 6
108-services. 7
103+PART XII. PEDIATRIC OVERSTAY. 2
109104
110-19–386. RESERVED. 8
105+19–388. 3
111106
112-19–387. RESERVED. 9
107+ IN THIS PART, “PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OV ERSTAY PATIENT ” MEANS A PATIENT 4
108+UNDER THE AGE OF 22 YEARS WHO REMAINS IN AN INPATIENT UNIT OR EMERGENCY 5
109+DEPARTMENT OF A HOSPITAL FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS AFTER BEING ME DICALLY 6
110+CLEARED FOR DISCHARG E OR TRANSFER . 7
113111
114-PART XII. PEDIATRIC OVERSTAY. 10
112+19–389. 8
115113
116-19–388. 11
114+ (A) THE DEPARTMENT , IN COORDINATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF 9
115+HUMAN SERVICES, SHALL ENSURE THAT A PEDIATRIC HOS PITAL OVERSTAY 10
116+PATIENT IS TRANSFERRED TO AND TREATED IN THE LEAST RESTRICTIV E SETTING 11
117+POSSIBLE. 12
117118
118- (A) IN THIS PART, “PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE 12
119-THE MEANINGS INDICAT ED. 13
119+ (B) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY O THER PROVISION OF LA W, TO ENSURE THAT 13
120+A PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OVERSTAY PATIENT IS TREATED IN THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE 14
121+SETTING, A HOSPITAL MAY CONCURRENTLY EXPLORE IN–STATE AND 15
122+OUT–OF–STATE PLACEMENT OPTI ONS. 16
120123
121- (B) “COORDINATORS ” MEANS THE PEDIATRIC OVERSTAY COORDINATOR IN 14
122-THE DEPARTMENT AND THE PE DIATRIC OVERSTAY COO RDINATOR IN THE 15
123-DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES. 16
124+19–390. 17
124125
125- (C) “PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OVERSTAY PATIENT ” MEANS A PATIENT UNDE R 17
126-THE AGE OF 22 YEARS WHO REMAINS IN AN INPATIENT UNIT OR EMERGENCY 18
127-DEPARTMENT OF A HOSP ITAL FOR MORE THAN 24 48 HOURS AFTER BEING 19
128-MEDICALLY CLEARED FO R DISCHARGE OR TRANS FER. 20
126+ (A) (1) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, THE GOVERNOR MAY INCLUDE IN THE 18
127+ANNUAL BUDGET BILL AN APPROPRIATION SUF FICIENT TO FILL ALL POSITIONS 19
128+AUTHORIZED FOR A REGIONAL INSTITUTE FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN 20
129+THE STATE. 21
129130
130-19–389. 21
131+ (2) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027 AND EACH FISCAL YEAR THEREAFTER , 22
132+THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN THE ANNUAL BUDG ET BILL AN APPROPRIATION 23
133+SUFFICIENT TO FILL ALL POSITIONS A UTHORIZED FOR A REGIONAL INSTITUTE FOR 24
134+CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN THE STATE. 25
131135
132- (A) (1) THE DEPARTMENT , IN COORDINATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT 22
133-OF HUMAN SERVICES, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS 23
134-SUBSECTION, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ENSURE THAT A PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL 24
135-OVERSTAY PATIENT IS TRANSFERRED TO AND T REATED IN THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE 25
136-SETTING WHEN CLINICALLY INDI CATED AND WHEN POSSIBLE. 26
136+ (B) THE GOVERNOR MAY USE FUNDS DESIGNATED FOR THE ADOLESCENT 26
137+HOSPITAL OVERSTAY PROGRAM FOR THE PURPOSES IDENTIFIED IN SUBSECTION 27
138+(A) OF THIS SECTION. 28
137139
138- (2) THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, IN COORDINATION 27
139-WITH THE DEPARTMENT , SHALL ENSURE THAT A PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL O VERSTAY 28
140-PATIENT WHO IS A CHI LD COMMITTED TO THE CARE AND CUSTODY OF THE 29
141-DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES IS TRANSFERR ED TO AND TREATED IN THE 30
142-LEAST RESTRICTIVE SE TTING WHEN CLINICALL Y INDICATED AND WHEN POSSIBLE. 31
140+Article – State Government 29
141+
142+9–2801. 30
143143 4 SENATE BILL 696
144144
145145
146- (B) IF A PEDIATRIC HOSPIT AL OVERSTAY PATIENT REMAINS IN THE 1
147-HOSPITAL FOR MORE TH AN 48 HOURS AND THE REGIST RY ESTABLISHED UNDER § 2
148-7.5–802 OF THIS ARTICLE INDI CATES THAT AN APPROP RIATE INPATIENT BED IS 3
149-AVAILABLE, THE HOSPITAL SHALL S EEK THE TRANSFER TO MAINTAIN THE CLINICA L 4
150-STABILITY OF THE PAT IENT. 5
146+ (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 1
151147
152- (C) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY O THER PROVISION OF LA W, TO ENSURE THAT 6
153-A PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OVERSTAY PATIENT IS TREATED IN THE LEAST RESTRIC TIVE 7
154-SETTING, A HOSPITAL MAY CONCU RRENTLY EXPLORE IN –STATE AND 8
155-OUT–OF–STATE PLACEMENT OPTI ONS. 9
148+ (B) “COORDINATOR ” MEANS THE PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OVERSTAY 2
149+COORDINATOR WITHIN TH E GOVERNOR’S OFFICE FOR CHILDREN. 3
156150
157-19–390. 10
151+ [(b)] (C) “Eligible neighborhood” means a neighborhood that includes census 4
152+tracts with more than 30% of children living in poverty and is served by, as defined by the 5
153+Office, a community school with a concentration of poverty level, as defined in § 5–223 of 6
154+the Education Article, of: 7
158155
159- (A) THE DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES 11
160-SHALL ESTABLISH A PE DIATRIC HOSPITAL OVE RSTAY COORDINATOR WITHIN E ACH 12
161-DEPARTMENT . 13
156+ (1) in fiscal year 2025 and 2026, at least 80%; 8
162157
163- (B) THE COORDINATORS SHAL L ACT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF A PEDIATRI C 14
164-OVERSTAY PATIENT BY COORDINATING BETWEEN HOSPITALS, RELEVANT STATE 15
165-AGENCIES AND PROGRAM S, AND PROVIDERS OF MEN TAL HEALTH AND SUBST ANCE 16
166-USE DISORDER SER VICES. 17
158+ (2) in fiscal year 2027 through fiscal year 2029, at least 75%; 9
167159
168- (C) THE COORDINATORS SHAL L: 18
160+ (3) in fiscal year 2030, at least 60%; and 10
169161
170- (1) ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL O VERSTAY 19
171-PATIENTS WHILE MAINT AINING APPROPRIATE P ATIENT CONFIDENTIALI TY; 20
162+ (4) in fiscal year 2031, and each fiscal year thereafter, at least 55%. 11
172163
173- (2) REVIEW POLICIES AND P ROCEDURES OF RELEVAN T STATE 21
174-AGENCIES AND MAKE RE COMMENDATIONS FOR NE CESSARY CHANGES TO TH E 22
175-POLICIES AND PROCEDU RES TO BETTER SERVE PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL O VERSTAY 23
176-PATIENTS; 24
164+ [(c)] (D) “Fund” means the ENOUGH Grant Fund. 12
177165
178- (3) MAINTAIN DATA ON EACH PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL O VERSTAY 25
179-PATIENT, INCLUDING: 26
166+ [(d)] (E) “Office” means the Governor’s Office for Children. 13
180167
181- (I) PATIENT’S LENGTH OF STAY ; 27
168+ (F) “PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OV ERSTAY PATIENT ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED 14
169+IN § 19–388 OF THE HEALTH – GENERAL ARTICLE. 15
182170
183- (II) THE RESPONSIBLE STATE AGENCY, IF APPLICABLE; 28
171+ [(e)] (G) “Program” means the Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, 16
172+Governments, and Households (ENOUGH) Grant Program. 17
184173
185- (III) SERVICES NEEDED ; 29
174+ [(f)] (H) “Special Secretary” means the Special Secretary of the Governor’s 18
175+Office for Children. 19
186176
187- (IV) PLACEMENT OPTIONS BEI NG SOUGHT BY THE PAT IENT; 30
188- SENATE BILL 696 5
177+9–2806. 20
178+
179+ (A) THERE IS A PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OVERSTAY COORDINATOR WITHIN 21
180+THE OFFICE. 22
181+
182+ (B) THE COORDINATOR SHALL ACT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF A PEDIATRIC 23
183+HOSPITAL OVERSTAY PATIENT BY COORDINAT ING BETWEEN RELEVANT STATE 24
184+AGENCIES AND PROGRAM S, INCLUDING PUBLIC BEHAVIORAL HE ALTH CARE 25
185+COORDINATION PROGRAM S. 26
186+
187+ (C) (1) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2026, THE OFFICE AND THE 27
188+COORDINATOR SHALL ENT ER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WIT H THE 28
189+MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, 29
190+AND ANY OTHER RELEVA NT STATE AGENCY FOR THE SHARING AND STORAGE OF 30 SENATE BILL 696 5
189191
190192
191- (V) INFORMATION REGARDING PREVIOUS HOSPITAL 1
192-ADMISSIONS FOR A BEH AVIORAL HEALTH DIAGN OSIS; AND 2
193+INFORMATION AND DATA RELATED TO PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OVERSTAY PA TIENTS 1
194+IN THE STATE. 2
193195
194- (VI) ANY OTHER RELEVANT DA TA; AND 3
196+ (2) THE MEMORANDUM OF UND ERSTANDING SHALL GOV ERN THE 3
197+ACCESS, USE, MAINTENANCE , DISCLOSURE, AND REDISCLOSURE OF PROTECTED 4
198+HEALTH INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL AND STATE LAW, 5
199+INCLUDING THE FEDERAL HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND 6
200+ACCOUNTABILITY ACT. 7
195201
196- (4) REPORT ON THE DATA COLLECTED UNDER THIS SUBSECTION TO 4
197-THE SECRETARY AND THE SECRETARY OF HUMAN SERVICES. 5
202+ (D) THE COORDINATOR SHALL : 8
198203
199- (A) (1) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, THE GOVERNOR MAY INCLUDE IN THE 6
200-ANNUAL BUDGET BILL A N APPROPRIATION SUFF ICIENT TO FILL ALL P OSITIONS 7
201-AUTHORIZED FOR A REGIONAL INSTITUTE FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN 8
202-THE STATE. 9
204+ (1) WORK INDEPENDENTLY AND IMPARTIALLY, WHILE MAINTAINING 9
205+APPROPRIATE PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY , TO ADVOCATE ON BEHAL F OF 10
206+PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL O VERSTAY PATIENTS ; 11
203207
204- (2) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027 AND EACH FISCAL YEAR THEREAFTER , 10
205-THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN THE ANNUAL BUDG ET BILL AN APPROPRIA TION 11
206-SUFFICIENT TO FILL A LL POSITIONS AUTHORI ZED FOR A REGIONAL INSTITUTE FOR 12
207-CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN THE STATE. 13
208+ (2) REVIEW POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF RELEVA NT STATE 12
209+AGENCIES AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NECESSARY CHANGES TO THE 13
210+POLICIES OR PROCEDUR ES TO BETTER SERVE PEDIATR IC HOSPITAL OVERSTAY 14
211+PATIENTS; AND 15
208212
209- (B) THE GOVERNOR MAY USE FUND S DESIGNATED FOR THE ADOLESCENT 14
210-HOSPITAL OVERSTAY PROGRAM FOR THE PURPO SES IDENTIFIED IN SU BSECTION 15
211-(A) OF THIS SECTION. 16
213+ (3) MAINTAIN DATA ON EAC H PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OVERSTAY 16
214+PATIENT, INCLUDING: 17
212215
213-Article – State Government 17
216+ (I) THE PATIENT’S LENGTH OF STAY ; 18
214217
215-9–2801. 18
218+ (II) THE RESPONSIBLE STATE AGENCY, IF APPLICABLE; 19
216219
217- (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 19
220+ (III) SERVICES NEEDED ; 20
218221
219- (B) “COORDINATOR ” MEANS THE PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OVERSTAY 20
220-COORDINATOR WITHIN TH E GOVERNOR’S OFFICE FOR CHILDREN. 21
222+ (IV) PLACEMENT OPTIONS BEING SOUGHT BY THE PATIENT; 21
221223
222- [(b)] (C) “Eligible neighborhood” means a neighborhood that includes census 22
223-tracts with more than 30% of children living in poverty and is served by, as defined by the 23
224-Office, a community school with a concentration of poverty level, as defined in § 5–223 of 24
225-the Education Article, of: 25
224+ (V) INFORMATION REGARDIN G PREVIOUS HOSPITAL 22
225+ADMISSIONS FOR A BEH AVIORAL HEALTH DIAGN OSIS; AND 23
226226
227- (1) in fiscal year 2025 and 2026, at least 80%; 26
227+ (VI) ANY OTHER RELEVANT DATA. 24
228228
229- (2) in fiscal year 2027 through fiscal year 2029, at least 75%; 27
230-
231- (3) in fiscal year 2030, at least 60%; and 28
232-
233- (4) in fiscal year 2031, and each fiscal year thereafter, at least 55%. 29
234-
235- [(c)] (D) “Fund” means the ENOUGH Grant Fund. 30 6 SENATE BILL 696
236-
237-
238-
239- [(d)] (E) “Office” means the Governor’s Office for Children. 1
240-
241- (F) “PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OV ERSTAY PATIENT ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED 2
242-IN § 19–388 OF THE HEALTH – GENERAL ARTICLE. 3
243-
244- [(e)] (G) “Program” means the Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, 4
245-Governments, and Households (ENOUGH) Grant Program. 5
246-
247- [(f)] (H) “Special Secretary” means the Special Secretary of the Governor’s 6
248-Office for Children. 7
249-
250-9–2806. 8
251-
252- (A) THERE IS A PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OVERSTAY COORDINATOR WITHIN 9
253-THE OFFICE. 10
254-
255- (B) THE COORDINATOR SHALL ACT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF A PEDIATRIC 11
256-HOSPITAL OVERSTAY PA TIENT BY COORDINATIN G BETWEEN RELEVANT STATE 12
257-AGENCIES AND PROGRAM S, INCLUDING PUBLIC BEH AVIORAL HEALTH CARE 13
258-COORDINATION PROGRAM S. 14
259-
260- (C) (1) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2026, THE OFFICE AND THE 15
261-COORDINATOR SHALL ENT ER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH T HE 16
262-MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, 17
263-AND ANY OTHER RELEVA NT STATE AGENCY FOR THE SHARING AND STORAGE OF 18
264-INFORMATION AND DATA RELATED TO PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OVERSTAY PA TIENTS 19
265-IN THE STATE. 20
266-
267- (2) THE MEMORANDUM OF UND ERSTANDING SHALL GOV ERN THE 21
268-ACCESS, USE, MAINTENANCE , DISCLOSURE, AND REDISCLOSURE OF PROTECTED 22
269-HEALTH INFORMATION I N ACCORDANCE WITH FE DERAL AND STATE LAW, 23
270-INCLUDING THE FEDERA L HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND 24
271-ACCOUNTABILITY ACT. 25
272-
273- (D) THE COORDINATOR SHALL : 26
274-
275- (1) WORK INDEPENDENTLY A ND IMPARTIALLY , WHILE MAINTAINING 27
276-APPROPRIATE PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY , TO ADVOCATE ON BEHAL F OF 28
277-PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL O VERSTAY PATIENTS ; 29
278-
279- (2) REVIEW POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF RELEVA NT STATE 30
280-AGENCIES AND MAKE RE COMMENDATIONS FOR NE CESSARY CHANGES TO T HE 31 SENATE BILL 696 7
281-
282-
283-POLICIES OR PROCEDUR ES TO BETTER SERVE P EDIATRIC HOSPITAL OV ERSTAY 1
284-PATIENTS; AND 2
285-
286- (3) MAINTAIN DATA ON EAC H PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OVERSTAY 3
287-PATIENT, INCLUDING: 4
288-
289- (I) THE PATIENT’S LENGTH OF STA Y; 5
290-
291- (II) THE RESPONSIBLE STATE AGENCY, IF APPLICABLE; 6
292-
293- (III) SERVICES NEEDED ; 7
294-
295- (IV) PLACEMENT OPTIONS BE ING SOUGHT BY THE PA TIENT; 8
296-
297- (V) INFORMATION REGARDIN G PREVIOUS HOSPITAL 9
298-ADMISSIONS FOR A BEH AVIORAL HEALTH DIAGN OSIS; AND 10
299-
300- (VI) ANY OTHER RELEVANT DATA . 11
301-
302- (E) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1 EACH YEAR, BEGINNING IN 2026, THE 12
303-COORDINATOR SHALL REP ORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 13
304-2–1257 OF THIS ARTICLE , THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THE HOUSE 14
305-HEALTH AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE ON THE NUMBER OF 15
306-PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL O VERSTAY PATIENTS IN THE STATE AND DE –IDENTIFIED 16
307-INFORMATION RELATED TO ACTION PLANS IN P LACE TO ACHIEVE APPR OPRIATE 17
308-PLACEMENT . 18
309-
310- SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 19
311-
312- (a) The Maryland Department of Health shall: 20
313-
314- (1) review the reimbursement rates paid to residential treatment centers 21
315-and respite care facilities in the State and determine the reimbursement rate that would 22
316-be necessary to cover the cost of care and prevent future bed closures in residential 23
317-treatment centers and respite care facilities in the State; and 24
318-
319- (2) study the implementation of a prospective payment model for 25
320-residential treatment centers and respite care facilities in the State with the goal of 26
321-incentivizing the expansion of residential treatment center and respite care facility capacity 27
322-in the State. 28
323-
324- (b) On or before December 1, 2025, the Department shall report the findings and 29
325-recommendations from the review and study conducted under subsection (a) of this section 30
326-to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the 31
327-Senate Finance Committee and the House Health and Government Operations Committee. 32 8 SENATE BILL 696
229+ (E) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1 EACH YEAR, BEGINNING IN 2026, THE 25
230+COORDINATOR SHALL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 26
231+2–1257 OF THIS ARTICLE, THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THE HOUSE 27
232+HEALTH AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE ON THE NUMBER OF 28
233+PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL O VERSTAY PATIENTS IN THE STATE AND DE–IDENTIFIED 29
234+INFORMATION RELATED TO ACTION PLANS IN PLACE TO ACHIEVE APPROPRIATE 30
235+PLACEMENT . 31 6 SENATE BILL 696
328236
329237
330238
331239 SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 1
332240
333- (a) (1) In this section, “child in an unlicensed setting” means an individual 2
334-under the age of 21 years in an out–of–home placement who is residing in a hotel, an office 3
335-building, a shelter, or any other unlicensed setting. 4
241+ (a) The Maryland Department of Health shall: 2
336242
337- (2) “Child in an unlicensed setting” does not include an individual under 5
338-the age of 21 years who is receiving a self–independent living stipend, living with kin 6
339-awaiting approval for a placement, or on aftercare with a parent. 7
243+ (1) review the reimbursement rates paid to residential treatment centers 3
244+and respite care facilities in the State and determine the reimbursement rate that would 4
245+be necessary to cover the cost of care and prevent future bed closures in residential 5
246+treatment centers and respite care facilities in the State; and 6
340247
341- (b) (1) There is a Workgroup on Children in Unlicensed Settings and Pediatric 8
342-Hospital Overstays in the State. 9
248+ (2) study the implementation of a prospective payment model for 7
249+residential treatment centers and respite care facilities in the State with the goal of 8
250+incentivizing the expansion of residential treatment center and respite care facility capacity 9
251+in the State. 10
343252
344- (2) The Workgroup shall consist of representatives who have experience 10
345-and knowledge of working with children with behavioral health challenges, adverse 11
346-childhood experiences, and developmental disabilities, including: 12
253+ (b) On or before December 1, 2025, the Department shall report the findings and 11
254+recommendations from the review and study conducted under subsection (a) of this section 12
255+to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the 13
256+Senate Finance Committee and the House Health and Government Operations Committee. 14
347257
348- (i) the Secretary of Health, or the Secretary’s designee; 13
349-
350- (ii) the Secretary of Human Services, or the Secretary’s designee; 14
351-
352- (iii) the Secretary of Juvenile Services, or the Secretary’s designee; 15
353-
354- (iv) the State Public Defender, or the State Public Defender’s 16
355-designee; and 17
356-
357- (v) the following members, appointed by the Governor: 18
358-
359- 1. one representative of the Maryland Association of 19
360-Resources for Families and Youth; 20
361-
362- 2. one representative of Disability Rights Maryland; 21
363-
364- 3. one representative of the Community Behavioral Health 22
365-Association of Maryland; 23
366-
367- 4. one representative of Maryland Legal Aid; 24
368-
369- 5. one representative of the Court Appointed Special 25
370-Advocates of Maryland; 26
371-
372- 6. one representative of the National Association of Social 27
373-Workers – Maryland who is a hospital–based clinical social worker; 28
374-
375- 7. one representative of the Maryland Chapter of the 29
376-American Academy of Pediatrics; 30 SENATE BILL 696 9
377-
378-
379-
380- 8. one representative of the Maryland Hospital Association; 1
381-
382- 9. one representative of a specialty psychiatric hospital; 2
383-
384- 10. one representative of a residential treatment provider in 3
385-the State; and 4
386-
387- 11. one representative of a family of a child in foster care, as 5
388-defined in § 8–101(h) of the Human Services Article. 6
389-
390- (3) The members of the Workgroup shall elect the chair and vice chair of 7
391-the Workgroup. 8
392-
393- (4) The Workgroup shall meet before August 1, 2025, and at least once 9
394-every 30 days thereafter. 10
395-
396- (5) The State Council on Child Abuse and Neglect shall provide staff for 11
397-the Workgroup. 12
398-
399- (6) A member of the Workgroup: 13
400-
401- (i) may not receive compensation as a member of the Workgroup; 14
402-but 15
403-
404- (ii) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard 16
405-State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 17
406-
407- (c) (1) The Workgroup shall: 18
408-
409- (i) complete an assessment of the number, type, and cost of the 19
410-additional beds and supportive services needed to place all children in pediatric overstays 20
411-and other unlicensed settings in the least restrictive settings; 21
412-
413- (ii) develop a comprehensive and sustainable resource development 22
414-plan designed to increase the number of licensed settings and end the use of pediatric 23
415-overstays and unlicensed settings; 24
416-
417- (iii) develop an implementation plan with comprehensive data to 25
418-inform the plan; and 26
419-
420- (iv) determine the anticipated timeline for when the practice of 27
421-placing children in unlicensed settings will cease. 28
422-
423- (2) On or before October 1, 2025, the Workgroup shall report its findings 29
424-and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State 30
425-Government Article, the General Assembly. 31 10 SENATE BILL 696
426-
427-
428-
429- SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That for fiscal year 2026, the 1
430-Governor may include in the annual budget bill an appropriation necessary to staff five 2
431-additional beds at the John L. Gildner Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents in 3
432-the State. 4
433-
434- SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 2 Sections 1 and 3 of 5
435-this Act shall take effect June July 1, 2025. 6
436-
437- SECTION 3. 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That , except as provided in 7
438-Section 4 of this Act, this Act shall take effect July June 1, 2025. 8
439-
440-
441-
442-
443-Approved:
444-________________________________________________________________________________
445- Governor.
446-________________________________________________________________________________
447- President of the Senate.
448-________________________________________________________________________________
449- Speaker of the House of Delegates.
258+ SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 15
259+1, 2025. 16