Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB385: 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 comments 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; 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. 8 2026 …
Sponsors
- Bill Ferguson (D, SD-046) · primary sponsor
- Malcolm Augustine (D, 47)
- Pamela Beidle (D, 32)
- Shelly Hettleman (D, 11)
- Cheryl Kagan (D, SD-017)
- Nancy King (D, SD-039)
- Clarence Lam (D, SD-012)
- Karen Young (D, 3)
- Sara Love (D, 16)
- Craig Zucker (D, SD-014)
Latest actions
- : Approved by the Governor - Chapter 8
- : Returned Passed
- : Third Reading Passed (105-32)
- : Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
- : Favorable Report by Health
- : Hearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m.
- : Referred Health
- : Third Reading Passed (32-12)
- : Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- : Favorable with Amendments {583921/1 Adopted
Votes
- Third Reading Passed (105-32) (April 7, 2026): 105 yea, 32 nay, passed
- Third Reading Passed (32-12) (March 23, 2026): 32 yea, 12 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is SB385?
- SB385 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 SB385 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 SB385?
- Signed into law as of April 14, 2026. Latest action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 8 (April 14, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB385?
- Bill Ferguson (D, SD-046), with 9 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB385?
- On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0385?ys=2026RS
Source: official Maryland record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.