Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB637: Public Health - Recommendations for Immunizations, Screenings, and Preventive Services - Pharmacist Administration and Required Health Insurance Coverage (The Vax Act)
Status: Signed into law, April 14, 2026
Requiring the Secretary of Health to issue recommendations for certain immunizations, screenings, and preventive services based on certain evidence-based scientific and clinical guidance; requiring the Secretary, before adopting a recommendation for a certain preventive service, to hold a notice and comment period, obtain a certain analysis from the Maryland Health Care Commission, and cite the basis for the recommendation; altering the health insurance coverage requirements for certain immunizations, screenings, and services; etc.
What the bill says
An act concerning Public Health - Recommendations for Immunizations, Screenings, and Preventive Services - Pharmacist Administration and Required Health Insurance Coverage (The Vax Act) FOR the purpose of requiring the Secretary of Health to issue recommendations for certain immunizations, screenings, and preventive services based on certain evidence-based scientific and clinical guidance…
From the enrolled text, April 21, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Public Health - Recommendations for Immunizations, Screenings, and Preventive Services - Pharmacist Administration and Required Health Insurance Coverage (The Vax Act) FOR the purpose of requiring the Secretary of Health to issue recommendations for certain immunizations, screenings, and preventive services based on certain evidence-based scientific and clinical guidance; requiring the Secretary, before adopting a recommendation for a certain preventive service, to hold a notice and comment period, obtain a certain analysis from the Maryland Health Care Commission, and cite the basis for the recommendation; altering the authority of pharmacists to administer certain vaccinations; altering the health insurance coverage requirements for certain immunizations, screenings, and preventive services; repealing obsolete language regarding the pertussis vaccine; and generally relating to immunizations, screenings, and preventive services. BY repealing Article - Health - General Section 18-328 through 18-332 and the part "Part V. Pertussis" Annotated Code of Maryland (2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY adding to Article - Health - General Section 18-112 Annotated Code of Maryland (2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Health Occupations Section 12-508 Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Insurance Section 15-1A-10 and 15-817 Annotated Code of Maryland (2017 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) Ch. 7 2026 …
Sponsors
- Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D, 21) · primary sponsor
- Gabriel Acevero (D, 39)
- Nick Allen (D, 8)
- Marlon Amprey (D, 40)
- Dylan Behler (D, 30A)
- Harry Bhandari (D, 8)
- Adrian Boafo (D, 23)
- Regina Boyce (D, HD-043)
- Coley, Derrick (D, 24)
- Eric Ebersole (D, 44A)
- Mark Edelson (D, 46)
- Diana Fennell (D, HD-047A)
Latest actions
- : Approved by the Governor - Chapter 7
- : Returned Passed
- : Third Reading Passed (31-13)
- : Second Reading Passed
- : Favorable Adopted
- : Favorable Report by Finance
- : Referred Finance
- : Third Reading Passed (98-32)
- : Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- : Floor Amendment {203925/1 (Delegate Miller) Rejected (37-92)
Votes
- Third Reading Passed (31-13) (April 8, 2026): 31 yea, 13 nay, passed
- Third Reading Passed (98-32) (March 21, 2026): 98 yea, 32 nay, passed
- Floor Amendment { 863029/1 (Delegate Arikan) Rejected (37-94) (March 20, 2026): 37 yea, 94 nay, failed
- Floor Amendment { 203925/1 (Delegate Miller) Rejected (37-92) (March 20, 2026): 37 yea, 92 nay, failed
Common questions
- What is HB637?
- HB637 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Public Health - Recommendations for Immunizations, Screenings, and Preventive Services - Pharmacist Administration and Required Health Insurance Coverage (The Vax Act).
- What does HB637 do?
- In its own words: An act concerning Public Health - Recommendations for Immunizations, Screenings, and Preventive Services - Pharmacist Administration and Required Health Insurance Coverage (The Vax Act) FOR the purpose of requiring the Secretary of Health to issue recommendations for certain immunizations, screenings, and preventive services based on certain evidence-based scientific and clinical guidance…
- What is the status of HB637?
- Signed into law as of April 14, 2026. Latest action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 7 (April 14, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB637?
- Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D, 21), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB637?
- On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0637?ys=2026RS
Source: official Maryland record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.