Maryland HB1401: Public Health - Abortion - Informed Consent

What the bill says

A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Public Health - Abortion - Informed Consent FOR the purpose of requiring qualified providers to inform patients of certain information and obtain signed, written informed consent before performing a procedure to terminate a pregnancy; and generally relating to informed consent for terminating a pregnancy. BY adding to Article - Health - General Section 20-201 to be under the amended part "Part I. Abortion Services" Annotated Code of Maryland (2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement).

From the introduced text, February 13, 2026:

A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Public Health - Abortion - Informed Consent FOR the purpose of requiring qualified providers to inform patients of certain information and obtain signed, written informed consent before performing a procedure to terminate a pregnancy; and generally relating to informed consent for terminating a pregnancy. BY adding to Article - Health - General Section 20-201 to be under the amended part "Part I. Abortion Services" 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 Part I. Abortion [Referral] Services. 20-201. (A) IN THIS SECTION, "QUALIFIED PROVIDER" HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 20-207 OF THIS SUBTITLE. (B) BEFORE PERFORMING A PROCEDURE TO TERMINATE A PREGNANCY, A QUALIFIED PROVIDER SHALL: (1) INFORM THE PATIENT OF: EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from exist in g l aw . *hb1401* HOUSE BILL 1401 (I) THE NATURE OF THE PROPOSED PROCEDURE; AND (II) THE POTENTIAL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROCEDURE, INCLUDING THE RISKS OF DEPRESSION, INFECTION, HEMORRHAGE, BREAST CANCER, DANGER TO SUBSEQUENT PREGNANCIES, INFERTILITY, AND REGRET; AND (2) OBTAIN THE PATIENT'S SIGNED, WRITTEN INFORMED CONSENT. (C) THE QUALIFIED PROVIDER SHALL PLACE A COPY OF THE SIGNED, WRITTEN …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Susan McComas (R, HD-034B) · primary sponsor
• Barrie Ciliberti (R, HD-004)
• Kevin Hornberger (R, HD-035A)

Latest actions

1. March 19, 2026: Hearing 3/19 at 2:30 p.m.
2. March 19, 2026: Hearing canceled
3. February 16, 2026: Hearing 3/19 at 1:00 p.m.
4. February 13, 2026: First Reading Health

Common questions

What is HB1401?

HB1401 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Public Health - Abortion - Informed Consent.

What does HB1401 do?

In its own words: A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Public Health - Abortion - Informed Consent FOR the purpose of requiring qualified providers to inform patients of certain information and obtain signed, written informed consent before performing a procedure to terminate a pregnancy; and generally relating to informed consent for terminating a pregnancy. BY adding to Article - Health - General Section 20-201 to be under the amended part "Part I. Abortion Services" Annotated Code of Maryland (2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement).

What is the status of HB1401?

In committee as of March 19, 2026. Latest action: Hearing 3/19 at 2:30 p.m. (March 19, 2026).

Who sponsored HB1401?

Susan McComas (R, HD-034B), with 2 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB1401?

On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb1401?ys=2026RS