[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6332138,"mediaKeyId","2308753-48e1023ddc629647af898231e958af61","parentId",2308753,"title","Boards and commissions budget review spotlights Board of Nursing oversight, proposed fee changes and fund transfers","audioSeconds",726,"startMs",3698000,"endMs",4424000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2308753-48e1023ddc629647af898231e958af61&start=3698&end=4424","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2308753-48e1023ddc629647af898231e958af61/thumbnail_3698000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6332138/Maryland/Boards-and-commissions-budget-review-spotlights-Board-of-Nursing-oversight-proposed-fee-changes-and-fund-transfers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332138-3168436cf46282a54a1c409860388c11/orig.mp4?Expires=1776106346&Signature=Kh4geB1KR4pG8F9YneiBdm-bgUNbNnKsHmt563IyX~Q~TIG9~XkpjE6KI6BU4hve1Xjhf3P8xfEr6Nroos2nIpvLQoX36xB2CHnshlyr-ZjZxNGPOQ6v38DMkC~kt26ommZ9jyLhGCT6SJF1MBKA4Cf6AhrWqxdHeKq5NnwZ0agczbTDEHq97NKJhWHjXQVbgJx8Zj0mvNYIMCVu8HGcETH9nK7y8MaLdmacqwRBIzQs9onMzEKue2FjxSMoFjU4DqXjL6vMIvvxGDfTK2nFKm-3Jo-6wbh6u-mqYE7P6jBgCuakX6VuS40aTYyaME4kHW3no8IdVrG3eqmFLeskuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MGA - APP","date","2025-02-13T00:00:00Z","article","The Health and Social Services Subcommittee on Feb. 13 reviewed the fiscal 2026 allowance for Maryland’s health professional boards and commissions and discussed fund-balance transfers, ongoing administrative support for the Board of Nursing, vacancy reductions and proposals to adjust licensing fees.

DLS analyst Victoria Martinez said the fiscal 2026 allowance for the boards totals $53.0 million, an increase of $6.2 million (13.4%). The majority of boards are funded with special funds (licensing fees). DLS recommended reducing the allowance by $6.0 million to correct a technical error that had budgeted miscellaneous personnel adjustments that MDH said are not planned.

Board of Nursing oversight and operations: The Board of Nursing’s administrative infrastructure was moved to MDH for a two-year period beginning in fiscal 2024. DLS noted that legislation currently sunsets that arrangement in fiscal 2026 and that MDH introduced a departmental bill to extend MDH oversight for an additional five years. MDH Chief of Staff Erin McClellan and Board of Nursing Executive Director Rhonda Scott told the committee that the partnership improved licensing timeliness, constituent service and staffing. They said the board voted to stay with MDH for an extended period and that fees will need adjustment to ensure long-term self-sustainability.

Investigations backlog and timeliness: DLS presented data showing several boards missed MFR goals for issuing licenses and completing complaint investigations. The Board of Nursing had a low timely-completion rate of 12% in fiscal 2024, which DLS said reflected a large backlog and numerous administrative closures; the board reported about 800 outstanding investigations since fiscal 2020 that it is working to administratively close where appropriate. DLS noted some boards showed marked improvement in timely completions, including pharmacy.

Fund-balance transfers and BRFAA: DLS recommended transfers of special funds from several boards to replace general-fund spending in the Behavioral Health Administration under the BRFAA provision, with adjustments so some boards are not left with negative balances. Witnesses from MDH provided written testimony for boards and said the fee increases included in the DLS analysis are necessary even if MDH’s infrastructure support continues to be funded by general funds.

Licensing systems and fees: DLS included a proposed fee schedule for the Board of Nursing intended to study fee structure and estimated revenue. MDH and the Board of Nursing said they still need fee increases and a phased approach through fiscal 2029 is planned to reach sustainable levels and to support a new licensure system migration.

Stakeholder testimony: Michael Patty, representing the Maryland Occupational Therapy Association, urged the committee to avoid transfers that would deplete board fund balances and cited expected IT and implementation costs to join the interstate compact for occupational therapists that have not yet been implemented.

Why it matters: The hearings address regulatory capacity to license and investigate complaints across many health professions and the financing choices (fee increases, fund transfers, or continued general-fund support) that affect licensees and board operations. The Board of Nursing’s operational status is central because it licenses a large workforce and had previously experienced licensing delays.

Next steps: DLS recommended reducing a technical appropriation and asked MDH to comment on fee structures and ongoing support for board infrastructure. MDH concurred with DLS on the technical correction and highlighted improvements while noting additional fee revenue will be needed for long-term sustainability.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","HHR Committee Session, 2/13/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","DLS and MDH told the subcommittee Feb. 13 that the health professional boards’ fiscal 2026 allowance increases but requires technical correction; the Board of Nursing’s operations transferred to MDH two years ago have produced improvements, and MDH and the board say fee increases are needed to sustain operations.","taxTitle","Health and Social Services Subcommittee, Appropriations Committee, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Maryland","taxId",78564,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6332143,"Office of Healthcare Quality budget review: survey backlog shrinking, contractors used while training new surveyors",492,2556000,3048000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2308753-48e1023ddc629647af898231e958af61&start=2556&end=3048","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2308753-48e1023ddc629647af898231e958af61/thumbnail_2556000.jpg","/articles/6332143/Maryland/Office-of-Healthcare-Quality-budget-review-survey-backlog-shrinking-contractors-used-while-training-new-surveyors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332143-0790967b4002223a6fbcb203c0ef2d4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776106346&Signature=J9YM7ZXIvGMbEWiXyxqciJeiE2ToJFhAefr6doG28iV0yTc4uBpgh57sUJANrcF7JtmK6Mk8g~EoE-Mw142owEelLG1VJXqNJ811oF7aD1XXqvx0Seq7IUNAsUXYA0zLHQdOrZMgOVFnZROsPva5gRx3AT5RYR61SHbGCLeeqwVBxv-pOGAIt-oi0uMK1bPzmERpwhTInxqu3jboaAnSjDGhbO86JRvEgWd3hZ8WVqID9CSuciU33Ae6r-I6dl7ZEudtol1knNuVhRJG1yEPo1p~5-ayuwgxc1QeaptPPZWcQRKrtbRF6Bximvjj1qpAa0lDCp6w1V~4oy1SQr~CUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The subcommittee reviewed the Maryland Department of Health Office of Healthcare Quality (OHCQ) budget Feb. 13 and heard that OHCQ has made recent gains in survey activity and complaint investigations but continues to rely on contracts for nurse surveyors while new hires complete federal certification.

Victoria Martinez of the Department of Legislative Services presented the OHCQ analysis, noting the fiscal 2026 allowance increases by $2.2 million to $41.9 million. DLS noted about 83% of the office’s spending supports personnel and spelled out a $4.4 million contract line for nursing home subcontractors and grants. Exhibit figures showed a marked improvement in vacancy rates (from 17% to 5%) and in the percentage of completed investigations and annual surveys across several units.

OHCQ Executive Director Tia Witherspoon told the committee OHCQ regulates more than 22,000 providers across 47 industries and has accelerated survey activity: the full survey completion rate rose to 60% in FY25 and OHCQ completed 77 annual surveys in the first six to seven months of the fiscal year. She said OHCQ had filled 12 long-term-care nurse surveyor positions and expects newly hired state surveyors to complete the CMS 12-month training and then carry out survey work, reducing the need for subcontracted surveyors.

Backlog and contracts: DLS noted two contracts awarded to provide 5–13 nurse surveyors per week, totaling $5.6 million, primarily funded with $3.9 million in general funds and $1.5 million in special funds. DLS asked OHCQ to clarify the source of the special funds because the fiscal 2025–26 budgets include less than $600,000 in available special funds. Martinez also asked the agency to comment on cost-effectiveness of subcontractors versus hiring full-time staff: DLS compared the contract cost to an estimated $6.8 million in annual salaries for 72 state nurse surveyor positions.

Federal funding and staffing rule: DLS and OHCQ discussed federal funding for survey activity; OHCQ said it received approximately $10 million in federal funding in each of the prior two years for surveys tied to Medicare/Medicaid facilities but that the federal contribution does not fully cover state survey costs. The presentation also updated the committee on CMS’s final staffing rule for nursing homes; the agency will monitor compliance as facilities implement the new requirement.

Timeframe and outcomes: DLS estimates the backlog of long-term-care complaint investigations will be resolved in two years using the contracts while state hires complete training. OHCQ said the average interval between surveys decreased by 21% in FY25 and noted system disruptions during prior years — COVID-era infection-control mandates and a cybersecurity incident that paused work for several months — that contributed to earlier survey delays.

Why it matters: OHCQ’s ability to complete annual surveys and timely complaint investigations affects oversight of long-term care and other licensed health facilities, which regulators prioritize according to immediate risk to patient health and safety. The committee pressed OHCQ on funding sources for contracts, the cost-effectiveness of contractors versus staff, and plans to eliminate reliance on subcontractors as state surveyors become certified.

Provenance: DLS presentation began at the OHCQ section and OHCQ responses followed; DLS recommended the Governor's allowance concur.","DLS and OHCQ told the subcommittee the office has reduced vacancies and accelerated survey activity, but still uses nurse subcontractors to clear a complaint-investigation backlog; contracts total $5.6 million while hiring and certification of state nurse surveyors continues.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6332148,"MDH administration budget hearing highlights capacity, staffing shortages at state psychiatric facilities and new firearm violence center",775,399000,1174000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2308753-48e1023ddc629647af898231e958af61&start=399&end=1174","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2308753-48e1023ddc629647af898231e958af61/thumbnail_399000.jpg","/articles/6332148/Maryland/MDH-administration-budget-hearing-highlights-capacity-staffing-shortages-at-state-psychiatric-facilities-and-new-firearm-violence-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332148-c64d9c4cf27d2ede4eadfd2f5db862de/orig.mp4?Expires=1776106346&Signature=LpphZa529D3B5kpvIWUEOHo-yxa-iGvTkYA5L3Pntoxyx1NSVHkw4LrWG8U3Xt~BtHo8YOcb0qzXX7v9gsF8p19uNWftiYjalTX8t4ZvP~HN2GAhpZzRdvKPiEtvmUGmi4lcodbnGzQzBAz9HrSZapMtXdUWjIlVZ-l3lx4zlskYBW0PmWJ-s3fSXCoubc4aH4IlzgUVSLr79lo0SV5r-eeXNHYvbFS-NenU9YfkupJ~oXFi0X71~Ey~5dHgFntmDFYGH6e1M8tpffQ~VciHe3JPCWlq4FD9A3x-6-Tf2EpwVZT-OocCrFaD0-gGXcb0IXWHoXB3Txh7RGxQKMErmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The subcommittee examined the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) administration budget Feb. 13 with a focus on staffing shortages, bed capacity at state psychiatric facilities, and new investments in violence prevention. Naomi Kimura of the Department of Legislative Services told the subcommittee the MDH administration budget rises about $30.9 million to $847.1 million between fiscal 2025 and 2026, driven mainly by personnel and provider reimbursement costs.

DLS highlighted two performance metrics that shaped the discussion: resident and staff safety at inpatient facilities and timeliness of admission for court-ordered patients. Kimura noted MDH’s goal of no more than one assault per 1,000 patient days; eight of 10 facilities failed that target in fiscal 2024 and assaults at the Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents (RICA) Baltimore rose dramatically. The DLS presentation also showed patient-injury rates and declining performance on admitting court-ordered patients within the 10-business-day requirement.

MDH witnesses, including Secretary Herrera’s team and Deputy Secretary Nilesh Kalyanaraman, described capacity and staffing pressures. MDH said the five adult psychiatric hospitals and other state-run facilities are operating at about 95% capacity. MDH told the subcommittee that in fiscal 2024 there were 995 court-ordered placements while total bed capacity across the five adult psychiatric facilities was 1,056 beds, producing a growing wait list. The department attributed part of its admission delay to limited available beds and post-discharge placement challenges.

Perkins and emergency HVAC procurement: DLS listed proposed fiscal 2025 deficiencies and fiscal 2026 additions, including a $9.8 million supplement for emergency temporary HVAC systems at Clifton T. Perkins (after HVAC failure) and a previously authorized $2.5 million appropriation reduction tied to delays in new bed units at Thomas B. Finan Hospital Center. MDH said it anticipates resolving Perkins environmental issues in the near term, noting emergency procurements and planned permanent solutions to follow.

Staffing and safety: MDH and witnesses described a multi-pronged recruitment and retention effort. The department detailed leadership hires for Perkins and other facilities, steps to revise incident reporting procedures (triaging incidents by severity), onsite job fairs, targeted salary adjustments through DBM-authorized ASRs, and training assessments for security and clinical staff. Jenny Reese, president of AFSCME Local 539 and an MDH unit vice president, testified that her union’s visits to facilities found major staffing shortages, limited therapeutic programming, and unsafe staffing ratios; she urged the committee to pursue alternatives to proposed cuts, referencing a $6.8 million reduction the union said had been proposed for finance center cottages intended to create beds.

Firearm violence center and data work: DLS and MDH discussed the new Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention. MDH said the center has hired an executive director and is building a firearm-data dashboard that will allow sorting by ZIP code, race, ethnicity and injury type; MDH planned to issue an RFP by early March to fund violence-prevention initiatives and to expand data analytics capacity with epidemiologists and data analysts.

Audit and fiscal reconciliation: MDH addressed Office of Legislative Audits findings related to fiscal closeout and clearing-account reconciliations. The department said it is working with Deloitte on reconciliations, standard operating procedures to avoid single points of failure, weekly and quarterly drawdown reconciliations, and other steps; MDH reported a $476 million Schedule G surplus requiring reallocation, not an unrecorded shortfall. MDH also noted anticipated funding in fiscal 2026 to address disallowed DDA claims and other payable liabilities and referenced the consolidated appropriations act extending the MFP demonstration grant through Sept. 30, 2027.

Why it matters: The testimony shows state psychiatric facilities operating near capacity, persistent high vacancy rates concentrated at state hospitals, and operational repairs and temporary procurements tied to environmental and safety conditions. The new firearm violence center represents a policy and data investment that could affect prevention efforts statewide.

Next steps: DLS recommended adoption of committee narrative requesting MDH report on bed capacity and patient length of stay at Perkins; MDH concurred. Committee members asked for follow-up detail on recruitment initiatives, federal and state funding sources, and timelines for the Perkins environmental fixes and the firearm center’s funding RFPs.","During the Feb. 13 hearing, DLS and MDH officials described high vacancy rates and near-capacity operation at state psychiatric hospitals, a wait list of court-ordered patients, emergency HVAC procurement at Clifton T. Perkins, and progress on a new Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6332152,"Subcommittee unanimously approves two health-related bills allowing assistive-technology codification and FQHC land purchases",110,242000,352000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2308753-48e1023ddc629647af898231e958af61&start=242&end=352","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2308753-48e1023ddc629647af898231e958af61/thumbnail_242000.jpg","/articles/6332152/Maryland/Subcommittee-unanimously-approves-two-health-related-bills-allowing-assistive-technology-codification-and-FQHC-land-purchases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332152-6b5c32ba00eea43848a36a1685ba5f2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776106346&Signature=T94lgmzLaIa-qJC68AiIxXwZYYLImlOaKJvZfsRrnndzelLAF3QCGfWtAFfq94Qbyf0RkCjbZEHDespFKyYOih54eaNN3rcXbNN1X5UJyEADSDJN~h18Mwb-hqXGlmzHy1UFlW7pQQRnyUvsCHsYUpvYHAny7FBjdCYZg~55vZIrodTqSZ4Znsd1J7m9MsajfNaRUy290unw6yq7x-NTwuubgKFhrwWdcQZCrsESKxjP~CsVS-tZMAns0AqI~EQ3EepxgeOAsGJ9rZEml8qHGjJV~tiPvab0sVmyEmL-gEuUzWqrahC~6OGGYHptoJiVzwgT31bqMSQ1x0Wo6fMQ-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Health and Social Services Subcommittee voted unanimously Feb. 13 to advance two departmental bills affecting human services and federally qualified health centers. HB214 would codify the Maryland Assistive Technology Program in the Department of Disabilities; HB43 would add acquisition of land to the allowable uses in the existing grant program for federally qualified health centers (FQHCs).

Both bills drew no recorded opposition in subcommittee discussion. The chair called for voice votes; the committee signified approval for each bill by saying \"Aye.\" Naomi Kimura, the Department of Legislative Services budget analyst who opened the day's hearings, summarized the bills' backgrounds before the votes.

HB214: The bill would formalize an existing program within the Department of Disabilities that assists Marylanders in obtaining assistive technologies. DLS reported there is no fiscal note for the bill and that the subcommittee previously heard the measure earlier in the week. Delegate Rufe moved HB214 and Vice Chair Jones seconded the motion; the subcommittee approved it by voice vote with no opposition.

HB43: Sponsored by Delegate Jazz Lewis, HB43 would permit FQHCs to apply for existing grant funds to acquire land, adding land purchase as an allowable use but not increasing the overall grant funding. DLS noted the bill was previously discussed on Jan. 28 and that it would not add new funds to the program. The motion to advance HB43 was made by the vice chair and seconded by Delegate McCaskill; the subcommittee approved it by voice vote with no opposition.

Why it matters: HB214 formally places an existing assistive-technology program into statute, which can affect program administration and continuity. HB43 changes allowable uses for an existing grant stream that serves federally qualified health centers; enabling land acquisition could affect how grantees finance facility expansion but does not add money to the program.

Votes at a glance:
HB214 (Maryland Assistive Technology Program establishment) — Moved by Delegate Rufe; seconded by Vice Chair Jones; voice vote; outcome: approved unanimously; fiscal note: none reported.
HB43 (FQHC Grant Program — Acquisition of Land) — Sponsor: Delegate Jazz Lewis; motion moved by Vice Chair Jones; seconded by Delegate McCaskill; voice vote; outcome: approved unanimously; fiscal impact: no additional funds, only expanded allowable uses.

Provenance:
Topic intro: \"It's H B 2 14. This is the human services, Maryland Assistive Technology Program establishment...\" (transcript segment starting at 242.065 seconds).
Topic finish: \"Great. The bill passes unanimously. Thank you so much. Okay. So we're gonna gavel out.\" (transcript segment ending at 352.665 seconds).","The Health and Social Services Subcommittee voted unanimously to approve HB214, which codifies the Maryland Assistive Technology Program, and HB43, which adds land acquisition to allowable uses under the federally qualified health center grant program.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Boards and commissions budget review spotlights Board of Nursing oversight, proposed fee changes and fund transfers

Office of Healthcare Quality budget review: survey backlog shrinking, contractors used while training new surveyors

MDH administration budget hearing highlights capacity, staffing shortages at state psychiatric facilities and new firearm violence center

Subcommittee unanimously approves two health-related bills allowing assistive-technology codification and FQHC land purchases