Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB444: Certificate of Need - Intermediate Health Care Facilities
Status: Signed into law, April 14, 2026
Repealing the exemption from the certificate of need requirement for a change in bed capacity for intermediate care facilities that offer substance use disorder treatment services; providing a certificate of need is not required for a change in bed capacity at certain facilities offering certain treatment services if a written notice is filed with the Commission 45 days before the facility's establishment, the facility is consistent with the State Health Plan, will result in more efficient service delivery, and is in the public interest; etc.
What the bill says
An act concerning Certificate of Need - Intermediate Health Care Facilities FOR the purpose of repealing the exemption from the certificate of need requirement for a change in bed capacity for certain intermediate care facilities that offer substance use disorder treatment services; altering the circumstances under which a certificate of need is not required for a change in bed capacity at an intermediate health care facility that offers medically managed substance use disorder treatment services…
From the enrolled text, April 21, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Certificate of Need - Intermediate Health Care Facilities FOR the purpose of repealing the exemption from the certificate of need requirement for a change in bed capacity for certain intermediate care facilities that offer substance use disorder treatment services; altering the circumstances under which a certificate of need is not required for a change in bed capacity at an intermediate health care facility that offers medically managed substance use disorder treatment services; exempting from the certificate of need requirement, under certain circumstances, the establishment or operation of an intermediate health care facility that offers medically managed residential substance use disorder treatment services; and generally relating to certificates of need for intermediate health care facilities. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Health - General Section 19-120(f) and (h) Annotated Code of Maryland (2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY adding to Article - Health - General Section 19-120(p) Annotated Code of Maryland (2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Health - General 19-120. (f) Except as provided in [subsection] SUBSECTIONS (g)(2)(iii) AND (P) of this section, a certificate of need is required before a new health care facility is built, developed, or established. (h) (1) A …
Sponsors
- Benjamin Kramer (D, SD-019) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Approved by the Governor - Chapter 68
- : Returned Passed
- : Third Reading Passed (133-1)
- : Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
- : Favorable Report by Health
- : Hearing 3/25 at 1:00 p.m.
- : Referred Health
- : Third Reading Passed (44-0)
- : Second Reading Passed
- : Favorable Adopted
Votes
- Third Reading Passed (133-1) (April 2, 2026): 133 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Third Reading Passed (44-0) (February 26, 2026): 44 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is SB444?
- SB444 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Certificate of Need - Intermediate Health Care Facilities.
- What does SB444 do?
- In its own words: An act concerning Certificate of Need - Intermediate Health Care Facilities FOR the purpose of repealing the exemption from the certificate of need requirement for a change in bed capacity for certain intermediate care facilities that offer substance use disorder treatment services; altering the circumstances under which a certificate of need is not required for a change in bed capacity at an intermediate health care facility that offers medically managed substance use disorder treatment services…
- What is the status of SB444?
- Signed into law as of April 14, 2026. Latest action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 68 (April 14, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB444?
- Benjamin Kramer (D, SD-019).
- Where is the official record for SB444?
- On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0444?ys=2026RS
Source: official Maryland record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.