Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB696: State Prescription Drug Benefits - Retirees
Status: In committee, February 17, 2026
Authorizing certain retirees who began State service before July 1, 2011, to be eligible for prescription drug benefits in the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program; specifying that prescription drug benefits shall be discontinued for certain Medicare-eligible retirees who began State service on or after July 1, 2011, and their Medicare-eligible spouses and dependent children; repealing three Maryland State Retiree Prescription Drug programs that provide coverage and assistance to certain retirees; etc.
What the bill says
A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning State Prescription Drug Benefits - Retirees FOR the purpose of authorizing certain retirees who began State service before a certain date to be eligible for prescription drug benefits in the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program; specifying that prescription drug benefits shall be discontinued for certain Medicare-eligible retirees who began State service on or after a certain date and their Medicare-eligible spouses and dependent children…
From the introduced text, February 2, 2026:
A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning State Prescription Drug Benefits - Retirees FOR the purpose of authorizing certain retirees who began State service before a certain date to be eligible for prescription drug benefits in the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program; specifying that prescription drug benefits shall be discontinued for certain Medicare-eligible retirees who began State service on or after a certain date and their Medicare-eligible spouses and dependent children; repealing the Maryland State Retiree Prescription Drug Coverage Program, the Maryland State Retiree Catastrophic Prescription Drug Assistance Program, and the Maryland State Retiree Life-Sustaining Prescription Drug Assistance Program; repealing a requirement that the Secretary of Budget and Management provide a certain notice; repealing a requirement for the Department of Budget and Management to submit certain reports and ensure Medicare-eligible retirees have access to certain services; and generally relating to State prescription drug benefits for retirees from State employment. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - State Personnel and Pensions Section 2-509.1 Annotated Code of Maryland (2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY repealing Chapter 767 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2019 Section 2, 4, and SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - State Personnel and Pensions EXPLANATION: CAPITALS …
Sponsors
- Robin Grammer (R, HD-006) · primary sponsor
- Lauren Arikan (R, 7B)
- Brian Chisholm (R, 31)
- Mark Fisher (R, HD-027C)
- Morgan, Matthew (R, 29A)
- Ryan Nawrocki (R, 7A)
- Kathy Szeliga (R, 7A)
Latest actions
- : Hearing 3/19 at 1:00 p.m.
- : First Reading Appropriations
Common questions
- What is HB696?
- HB696 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): State Prescription Drug Benefits - Retirees.
- What does HB696 do?
- In its own words: A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning State Prescription Drug Benefits - Retirees FOR the purpose of authorizing certain retirees who began State service before a certain date to be eligible for prescription drug benefits in the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program; specifying that prescription drug benefits shall be discontinued for certain Medicare-eligible retirees who began State service on or after a certain date and their Medicare-eligible spouses and dependent children…
- What is the status of HB696?
- In committee as of February 17, 2026. Latest action: Hearing 3/19 at 1:00 p.m. (February 17, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB696?
- Robin Grammer (R, HD-006), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB696?
- On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0696?ys=2026RS
Source: official Maryland record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.