Maryland HB49: Public Health - Abortion (Heartbeat Bill)

What the bill says

A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Public Health - Abortion (Heartbeat Bill) FOR the purpose of requiring that an abortion be performed by a physician, rather than a qualified provider; repealing certain provisions of law related to State interference with an abortion, regulations related to abortion, and liability or criminal punishment for qualified providers who perform an abortion; prohibiting a physician from knowingly performing, inducing, or attempting to perform or induce an abortion under certain circumstances and subject to certain exceptions…

From the introduced text, January 11, 2026:

A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Public Health - Abortion (Heartbeat Bill) FOR the purpose of requiring that an abortion be performed by a physician, rather than a qualified provider; repealing certain provisions of law related to State interference with an abortion, regulations related to abortion, and liability or criminal punishment for qualified providers who perform an abortion; prohibiting a physician from knowingly performing, inducing, or attempting to perform or induce an abortion under certain circumstances and subject to certain exceptions; establishing requirements for performing or inducing an abortion on a pregnant woman; requiring that certain requirements relating to the performance or inducement of abortions be enforced exclusively through private civil actions; authorizing any person, other than an officer or employee of the State or a local governmental entity in the State, to bring certain civil actions; providing for sovereign, governmental, and official immunity under certain circumstances; and generally relating to abortions. BY repealing Article - Health - General The part designation "Part II. Abortion Procedures" immediately preceding Section 20-207; Section 20-209; the part designation "Part III. Information" immediately preceding Section 20-211; and the part designation "Part IV. Effect of Refusal to Participate or Refer" immediately preceding Section 20-214 Annotated Code of Maryland (2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY adding to Article - Health - General Section 20-202 and …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Ric Metzgar (R, 6) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. March 19, 2026: Hearing 3/19 at 2:30 p.m.
2. March 19, 2026: Hearing canceled
3. February 16, 2026: Hearing 3/19 at 1:00 p.m.
4. January 14, 2026: First Reading Health
5. October 14, 2025: Pre-filed

Common questions

What is HB49?

HB49 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Public Health - Abortion (Heartbeat Bill).

What does HB49 do?

In its own words: A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Public Health - Abortion (Heartbeat Bill) FOR the purpose of requiring that an abortion be performed by a physician, rather than a qualified provider; repealing certain provisions of law related to State interference with an abortion, regulations related to abortion, and liability or criminal punishment for qualified providers who perform an abortion; prohibiting a physician from knowingly performing, inducing, or attempting to perform or induce an abortion under certain circumstances and subject to certain exceptions…

What is the status of HB49?

In committee as of March 19, 2026. Latest action: Hearing 3/19 at 2:30 p.m. (March 19, 2026).

Who sponsored HB49?

Ric Metzgar (R, 6).

Where is the official record for HB49?

On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0049?ys=2026RS