Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB326: Physician Assistants and Midwives - Parity With Other Health Care Practitioners (Physician Assistant Parity Act of 2026)
Status: Signed into law, April 28, 2026
Altering certain provisions of law to include physician assistants in the health care practitioners who may take certain actions, including actions related to the guardianship of disabled persons, admissions to mental health facilities and the Emergency and Allergy Treatment Program; altering the health care practitioners that may order that a pregnant incarcerated individual be admitted to the infirmary; requiring the Maryland Department of Health to cover charges related certain examinations for certain emergency evaluees; etc.
What the bill says
An act concerning Physician Assistants and Midwives - Parity With Other Health Care Practitioners (Physician Assistant Parity Act of 2026) FOR the purpose of altering certain provisions of law to include physician assistants in the health care practitioners who may take certain actions, including actions related to the guardianship of disabled persons, admission of individuals to mental health facilities, the Emergency and Allergy Treatment Program, and the Attendant Care Program…
From the enrolled text, May 5, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Physician Assistants and Midwives - Parity With Other Health Care Practitioners (Physician Assistant Parity Act of 2026) FOR the purpose of altering certain provisions of law to include physician assistants in the health care practitioners who may take certain actions, including actions related to the guardianship of disabled persons, admission of individuals to mental health facilities, the Emergency and Allergy Treatment Program, and the Attendant Care Program; altering the health care practitioners that may order that a pregnant incarcerated individual be admitted to the infirmary; altering the health care practitioners that health maintenance organizations must allow each member to select from among those available to the health maintenance organization; requiring the Maryland Department of Health to cover charges related to examinations by a physician assistant for certain emergency evaluees; altering the membership and duties of the Statewide Advisory Commission on Immunization; requiring the Maryland Health Care Commission to review certain data and evaluate whether there is a longer average length of stay for individuals who are the subject of an application for involuntary admission who are brought during an overnight shift to certain emergency departments; and generally relating to physician assistants, certified nurse-midwives, and licensed certified midwives. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Correctional Services Section 9-601.1(e)(1) Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume) BY …