Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB1014: Mental Health Law - Danger to the Life or Safety of the Individual or of Others - Definition (Right to Treatment)
Status: In committee, April 9, 2026
Defining "danger to the life or safety of the individual or of others" for purposes of the involuntary admission of individuals with mental disorders to a facility or Veterans' Administration hospital and the emergency evaluation of individuals with mental disorders.
What the bill says
A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Mental Health Law - Danger to the Life or Safety of the Individual or of Others - Definition (Right to Treatment) FOR the purpose of defining "danger to the life or safety of the individual or of others" for purposes of the involuntary admission of individuals with mental disorders to a facility or Veterans' Administration hospital and the emergency evaluation of individuals with mental disorders; and generally relating to involuntary admissions and emergency evaluations of individuals with mental disorders…
From the introduced text, February 6, 2026:
A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Mental Health Law - Danger to the Life or Safety of the Individual or of Others - Definition (Right to Treatment) FOR the purpose of defining "danger to the life or safety of the individual or of others" for purposes of the involuntary admission of individuals with mental disorders to a facility or Veterans' Administration hospital and the emergency evaluation of individuals with mental disorders; and generally relating to involuntary admissions and emergency evaluations of individuals with mental disorders. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Health - General Section 10-601 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 10-601. (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) "Clinical social worker" means an individual who is licensed under Title 19 of the Health Occupations Article to practice clinical social work. EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from exist in g l aw . *hb1014* HOUSE BILL 1014 (C) "DANGER TO THE LIFE OR SAFETY OF THE INDIVIDUAL OR OF OTHERS" MEANS A SUBSTANTIAL RISK, WHETHER OR NOT THE RISK IS IMMINENT AND IN CONSIDERATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL'S …