[{"_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",6636750,"mediaKeyId","2605293-218aabcfd904e98bdb4d5184c4a7de12","parentId",2605293,"title","Senate amends bill to codify emergency pregnancy‑related care; narrows scope and coordinates federal fines","audioSeconds",179,"startMs",2485000,"endMs",2664000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2605293-218aabcfd904e98bdb4d5184c4a7de12&start=2485&end=2664","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2605293-218aabcfd904e98bdb4d5184c4a7de12/thumbnail_2485000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6636750/Maryland/Senate-amends-bill-to-codify-emergency-pregnancyrelated-care-narrows-scope-and-coordinates-federal-fines","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636750-ce6d1bac5304091fc13747b8cdeba6bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775216342&Signature=CXXEQaDFWnO~Ip7LZudyugkkF9vKZh7A1A3ecS00ourlxBNiYsQ5e4Y9V5gl2~6EYcns355y18yTj6AzJep1n4VbL6JSVgzWBP-NeMdZYUaGHtoQ7RIrqaHXdfjyzTKSgkWyp1R45tZS5eFvevUcczXgO0qKhtpd51vGNCRsBP2~93vqupTNhkWL-zbQugQWfSOyJidGgCUouQUKOiTYybvijVx4hdbxvWn9-8IW9CDK3DqdTx-5hRczrCMsT6uKkgd53~jxhaqc-HmuTJsJoO2K18NVPiF1y9U4JeBUrjBE43XSIR28~t8GO6vumvQZk7v0cVPboC0XcEv5xTco4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Maryland General Assembly - Senate Sessions","date","2025-03-13T18:16:51.727Z","article","The Senate on March 13 advanced an amended version of Senate Bill 447 to clarify hospital duties when a patient presents with an emergency pregnancy‑related medical condition.

Sponsor remarks and bill scope
Senate Bill 447, presented by the bill sponsor in the finance committee, would codify in state law the emergency treatment obligations that currently derive from the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) for pregnancy‑related conditions. The measure requires a hospital that determines a patient has an emergency pregnancy‑related medical condition to use available staff and facilities to examine and stabilize the patient, including providing termination of pregnancy when medically necessary to stabilize the patient, or to transfer the patient consistent with federal EMTALA rules.

Committee amendments and protections
Committee amendments narrowed the bill’s scope to emergency pregnancy‑related medical conditions only; removed some physician civil penalties and an individual cause of action related to hospitals; required the Maryland Department of Health to stay any final enforcement action if there is an ongoing federal investigation; and directed the department to offset or refund state fines by amounts of federal fines under certain conditions. The amendments also retain an explicit conscience provision: no provider is required to perform treatment they affirmatively decline on conscience grounds.

Why it matters
Senators and sponsors framed the measure in the context of potential erosion of federal protections and differing litigation outcomes nationally; the bill is intended to preserve access to time‑sensitive care in hospital emergency departments regardless of where patients are transported by ambulance. The sponsor said the bill is targeted to the facility/hospital level and is not intended to compel individual providers to act contrary to conscience protections already in law.

Procedural status
The committee adopted two technical amendments and one substantive amendment narrowing the bill’s scope. With those amendments the bill was reported favorably and ordered printed for third reading, with no roll‑call vote on final passage recorded on March 13.

Ending note
Senate Bill 447 will return for third reading with the committee’s limiting amendments; sponsors said the measure seeks to preserve emergency medical stabilization for pregnancy‑related conditions in Maryland hospitals.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Floor Session, 3/13/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate on March 13 advanced an amended version of Senate Bill 447 to clarify hospital duties when a patient presents with an emergency pregnancy‑related medical condition.","taxTitle","SENATE, SENATE, Committees, Legislative, Maryland","taxId",15090,"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},6636754,"Senate panel restores prior shelf‑space language, delays on‑site cannabis licensing after equity concerns",839,1252000,2091000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2605293-218aabcfd904e98bdb4d5184c4a7de12&start=1252&end=2091","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2605293-218aabcfd904e98bdb4d5184c4a7de12/thumbnail_1252000.jpg","/articles/6636754/Maryland/Senate-panel-restores-prior-shelfspace-language-delays-onsite-cannabis-licensing-after-equity-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636754-0fbed945734c66c4126581a8c2b4b74f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775216342&Signature=fe9PpwdsicgE3BVNezd~dg50yR5l9qWvhLY1xKQbXxXrYLPr502CpQwDjxcqZY8Y4a2VPNtGwZ8o-QOk~8jso2Smr9jf165nrvCPbv8jrC5hPKD3SGonPH4cxHQn-AEJvFmNlHSKTZAoMerZdNPIoVtZQwEySr-JGDdhz4r2Z4rd3I0M7IckmrdlH1s1MdjwV6qtbNXhyPaysgLO3uQAWu3smeGjwcq9sD4LYbX2H-i0QFYbJ-rpfvlHWDh5HSot184HBZGjEg4xUEvk9EdEy7XHqEPQ2ni-mp1kn5~JPxjz0qmf2IJl0Z4sV6jTN~pxZa~eX~pIRKtbcTBJcQ~XjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An Annapolis session of the Senate on March 13 produced changes to Senate Bill 215, the annual departmental cannabis bill, after senators raised concerns about how a new shelf‑space allocation could affect existing minority‑owned cannabis businesses.

The finance committee, acting through its floor leader, described the bill as a departmental update that—among other changes—delays issuance of on‑site consumption licenses for one year, extends the deadline for medical cannabis delivery authorization to July 1, 2026, and clarifies transfer and taxation rules for cannabis products. The committee adopted two technical amendments and later a subsequent amendment that restored existing law on the 25% self‑shelf‑space requirement rather than limiting that allocation to social equity licenses alone.

Why it matters: Senators said the restored language was aimed at avoiding unintended consequences that could exclude currently operating minority‑owned processors and growers from retail shelf space. Multiple senators emphasized that so‑called social equity licensees are not yet widely operational, while some independent minority operators already sell product in Maryland and could be harmed by a strict 25% carve‑out for social equity firms only.

Committee debate and compromise
Floor statements explained the tradeoffs: the administration and the Maryland Cannabis Commission had proposed changes intended to prioritize social equity companies, but senators and several questioners noted that many social equity licensees were not yet in the market. The finance committee’s subsequent amendment restored the prior statutory text to preserve access for existing minority‑owned firms while the legislature considers a longer‑term approach during the interim.

The senator identified in debate as the sponsor described the amended bill as retaining an operating framework for on‑site establishments (including allowing them to operate as food service facilities where local requirements are met) while postponing actual licensing for a year. On the restored shelf‑space language, the chair said the committee intends to study the issue over the interim so it can address both the needs of social equity applicants and existing minority operators.

Next steps and formal action
After extended discussion and questions from multiple senators about definitions and market impacts, a senator asked to hold the bill for further conversation. Senators subsequently moved to lay SB 215 over under the rule; the clerk announced the motion was in order and that the bill and amendments would lie over under the rule. No roll‑call vote on final passage occurred on March 13.

Key takeaways
- The committee adopted technical amendments and an amendment that restored the prior 25% self‑shelf‑space language rather than limiting it only to social equity licensees.
- Licensing of on‑site cannabis consumption establishments was delayed for one year in the amended language.
- Senators said they will use the interim to continue work on how to balance new social equity priorities with protections for existing minority‑owned operators.

Ending note
Senators asked staff to redraft and study shelf‑space language over the interim so the General Assembly can revisit the issue before licensing begins.","Senate committee amended Senate Bill 215 to delay on‑site cannabis consumption licensing for one year, restored previous shelf‑space language after members and minority‑owned operators raised concerns, and the bill was laid over under the rule for further work.",{"_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},6636740,"Votes at a glance: select Senate floor actions and recorded third‑reading votes, March 13, 2025",456,9108000,9564000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2605293-218aabcfd904e98bdb4d5184c4a7de12&start=9108&end=9564","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2605293-218aabcfd904e98bdb4d5184c4a7de12/thumbnail_9108000.jpg","/articles/6636740/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-select-Senate-floor-actions-and-recorded-thirdreading-votes-March-13-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636740-7a4d2ad43f5ed739ea823fc852da3abf/orig.mp4?Expires=1775216342&Signature=k994VRAtJ4PT6vGpNdkbGGpavV5G3helDNiv9EXujrn4W7z-5~Nb~MIjinWfi8Nq1uYHWK~R8-qEp7FVw2gjSIdffG0FEZF-BxeCacWwkMsftrXtK4PzraU0c0qBTsQ38tZMhDFQbfeHNjFRVCojCczessTxJV1EskClpdm92YsGGD8pgBexWMcs4~enSIWJQb0rZCJqJoba0KneLfmR0sqRJZ~wmaTFAHfthnfaF7qzxNB3Id39DAb~ddx4aa9sIcW2-UERp5O6Ql4j~uhifDCj8M~Tqnc3xLH4Xr~XM5VMyxb5TQUh4zzWPgqpvnVJYp1UIsovwM6rvG0M4c4Mdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate took recorded final‑passage votes and reported committee measures on March 13. Listed below are bills with recorded roll‑call results from the transcript and several committee reports ordered printed for third reading that day.

Recorded third‑reading roll calls (selected)
- Senate Bill 46 (sponsor: Sen. Watson) — Real property; wrongful detainer actions. Result: Passed, 44 Yeas. (Transcript roll call at ~91:21:95.)

- Senate Bill 107 (sponsor: not specified in final roll call segment) — Evidence; interception of oral communication — fair housing testing. Result: Passed, 28 Yeas. (Recorded at ~93:64.79 in transcript.)

- Senate Bill 181 (sponsor: Sen. Hetleman) — Correctional services; geriatric and medical parole. Result: Passed, 36 Yeas. (Recorded at ~93:95.39 in transcript.)

- Senate Bill 844 (sponsor: Sen. Hershey) — Maryland Self‑service Storage Act (sale of personal property and satisfaction of lien). Result: Passed, 45 Yeas. (Recorded at ~94:46.135 in transcript.)

- Senate Bill 929 (sponsor: Sen. Brooks) — Work group on mail‑in ballot accessibility. Result: Passed, 35 Yeas. (Recorded at ~94:73.12 in transcript.)

- Senate Bill 956 (sponsor: Sen. West) — Medicare supplement policies; insurance producer commission. Result: Passed, 46 Yeas. (Recorded at ~95:06.795 in transcript.)

Several committee reports ordered printed for third reading
Committee chairs and floor leaders reported many bills as \"ordered printed for third reading\" (committee votes/adoptions listed in transcript) without a final passage roll call recorded on March 13. These include, among others: SB 215 (cannabis; laid over under the rule for additional work), SB 689 (mortgage assumption disclosures), SB 771 (peer‑to‑peer car sharing), SB 872 (veteran hiring preferences), SB 900 (behavioral health/9‑8‑8 integration), SB 400 (youth transportation regulations), SB 713 (various local and administrative bills), and many bills reported favorably by finance, budget and tax, judicial proceedings and other committees that were ordered printed for third reading.

Context and process notes
- Several measures were amended in committee and ordered printed for third reading rather than receiving final floor votes on March 13; committees frequently adopted technical and clarifying amendments before returning bills to the floor for third reading.
- Where the transcript records a final roll call, this roundup records the roll‑call tally and sponsor as recorded on the floor. For bills ordered printed for third reading, the transcript records committee action but not final passage votes that day.

Ending note
Readers tracking a particular bill should consult the Senate calendar and the official journal for final roll‑call details and any subsequent third‑reading action; this roundup covers recorded tallies and committee outcomes included in the March 13 transcript.","On March 13 the Senate advanced several bills to final passage and ordered others printed for third reading; this roundup lists recorded roll‑call results taken on the floor that day and summarizes outcomes referenced in the transcript.",{"_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},6636745,"Senate committee narrows expungement expansion after questions about covered offenses and waiting periods",590,4906000,5496000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2605293-218aabcfd904e98bdb4d5184c4a7de12&start=4906&end=5496","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2605293-218aabcfd904e98bdb4d5184c4a7de12/thumbnail_4906000.jpg","/articles/6636745/Maryland/Senate-committee-narrows-expungement-expansion-after-questions-about-covered-offenses-and-waiting-periods","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636745-c7df4e20e13b468a8d3f6a4e6e81129f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775216342&Signature=TbmtyaSckDuF57w7dJEr7mrawaWdDtPx4qJArgWYlyfyfm6ZoN0tt7sEdGkBtXENXiArmDKV03h~np2S8blanEPbRf247cqPyEv0aF9GVNoTRkiHaH7FIpJz5ArLyMMfEQ5YoLnOAn2hBOHFUe36a~IdZ9ikE1UBYsMZU~-UnBoc9CUjuWSEoXGFN80p9lFlC7Mzfn2tEqOQ1oiyRGvQc69m1stF3p0joMHJamX2nOrT6nXgQqeNQ1Gj4W5mtBfUVGxileJ-glZ2URhvdYtQ2a3GOnx44Ut87aNpo3WiiT8ieeShv1IKwQd5CQKeNEMcp2WvtNwt63LkyJlgyyZjwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 432 — an administration bill proposing changes to Maryland’s expungement laws and to how results appear in the Maryland Judiciary Case Search — was debated on March 13 and amended in committee to narrow the scope of newly eligible offenses.

What the bill would do
As presented, the bill proposed several changes: it would alter filing procedures for expungement petitions, add certain misdemeanors and nonviolent offenses to the list of expungable convictions, expand the factors a court may consider when ruling on an expungement petition, and prevent the Maryland Judiciary Case Search from displaying references to certain charges in specified circumstances (including charges that resulted in a nol pros, or that were related to now‑pardoned cannabis convictions).

Committee action and key points of debate
Committee amendments removed a number of offenses that had been included in the bill as originally drafted — for example, the committee struck provisions that would have added counterfeit prescriptions, resisting arrest, and false statement offenses to the expungement list. The amended bill instead adds a narrower set of nonviolent offenses (transcripts identify issuing or passing a bad check; certain credit card theft offenses; and driving without a license among the offenses discussed).

Committee members asked detailed questions about waiting periods, how probation and parole periods are counted as part of a sentence, and the practical effect of a gubernatorial pardon on the public case search. The committee explained that a pardon would be treated in a manner that can remove a record from public case search results without an automatic expungement in current law; the amended bill would make pardoned convictions no longer appear in case search in defined circumstances.

Why it matters
Senators said the measure addresses an inequity highlighted by a court decision commonly cited in committee: a reformed individual (the transcript referenced a litigant named in committee discussion) was denied expungement solely because a technical probation violation occurred for behavior that is no longer illegal. The committee described the amendment as returning the statutory scheme to its prior practical interpretation and clarified the list of newly eligible offenses.

Procedural status
The committee adopted four committee amendments (three technical or clarifying and one that narrowed the list of newly eligible offenses) and reported the bill favorably to the Senate. The bill was ordered printed for third reading; no final floor vote occurred on March 13.

Ending note
The committee’s narrowing of the bill reflects a compromise to preserve judicial discretion while expanding expungement eligibility for a limited set of nonviolent offenses; further legislative review will continue before final passage.","An administration bill to expand eligibility and reform the judiciary case search for expungements was amended in committee; several lower‑level offenses were removed from proposed expansions and the committee clarified factors a court must consider in expungement determinations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate amends bill to codify emergency pregnancy‑related care; narrows scope and coordinates federal fines

Senate panel restores prior shelf‑space language, delays on‑site cannabis licensing after equity concerns

Votes at a glance: select Senate floor actions and recorded third‑reading votes, March 13, 2025

Senate committee narrows expungement expansion after questions about covered offenses and waiting periods