[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,76,88,99,111],{"_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",6628774,"mediaKeyId","2714625-673c10c11e1851332bb1da52511a1d0b","parentId",2714625,"title","Sponsor says nursing-board cleanup bill simply aligns disciplinary authority for direct-entry midwives","audioSeconds",134,"startMs",1492000,"endMs",1626000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2714625-673c10c11e1851332bb1da52511a1d0b&start=1492&end=1626","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2714625-673c10c11e1851332bb1da52511a1d0b/thumbnail_1492000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6628774/Maryland/Sponsor-says-nursing-board-cleanup-bill-simply-aligns-disciplinary-authority-for-direct-entry-midwives","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628774-f1a354b7632ec4c4dbc6d5beba1b09b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453016&Signature=fx19g7yH1zawO~fSUWi6VE14nxvTxnZ9aVEISqtidXFlSh~CQL6dLy1SauEyyZ2-N67tpwqwCqjoFr9EAUOoZSU~pWRH4R7WPQEN4211ciWVrHpYkBalr1b3ZvfPPFc-Ev0YeloQTLwvcxRJhKK~uSdNqqYEWdLgtxLkyVdzgtC4pAssI8AEUHkohosQPgih0HpiOfuQBqoBO25Cya-D5jBjkTyBTJzHlifwA9oiLNJE2~3hqYdU6wOn70GMfGE~J166AwEjn4w2k-YSEP6UyRb0jAhCSXtyXhrp-gpWIb~B7cuToFYIs~~fgDh4TUNdcA8zUlCj3c3N6vK8M1sm5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Maryland General Assembly - Finance","date","2025-03-20T18:25:37.663Z","article","House Bill 664, presented March 20 to the Senate Finance Committee by Brooks Scoville on behalf of Delegate Jen Terrasa, would make an editorial or \"clean up\" change to the state Board of Nursing's statutes so that licensed direct‑entry midwives have the same disciplinary authority provisions as other professions regulated by the board.

Scoville said the change corrects an omission after a 2014 law expanded the board's disciplinary authority for other license types and that transferring identical disciplinary language to the midwifery statute would align licensing outcomes across the board's regulated professions. He noted a simple amendment would align HB 664 to Senate Bill 854, a cross‑filed measure that already passed the Senate.

The committee did not receive opposition testimony and no further questions were recorded at the hearing. The sponsor asked for a favorable report.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","FIN Committee Session, 3/20/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 664 would add disciplinary authority for licensed direct-entry midwives to match other professions under the Maryland Board of Nursing; the bill was presented in sponsor-only fashion and proponents urged a favorable report.","taxTitle","Finance Committee, SENATE, SENATE, Committees, Legislative, Maryland","taxId",15094,"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},6628778,"Prince George's local development authority bill gets sponsor-only presentation in Senate Finance hearing",76,1429000,1505000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2714625-673c10c11e1851332bb1da52511a1d0b&start=1429&end=1505","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2714625-673c10c11e1851332bb1da52511a1d0b/thumbnail_1429000.jpg","/articles/6628778/Maryland/Prince-Georges-local-development-authority-bill-gets-sponsor-only-presentation-in-Senate-Finance-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628778-c3f86861d44cc38c50c61994a8290211/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453016&Signature=f3bMmzyRk3oI4UxyktkxTOtlu-R7X~Y8ukfAUCREWDXGgg86ueJUQuR1qeEzTX-d872l9DJx9P6A8cWy94R7a2s6ZTzWXy26lNq1SKRLJONPjw1CTwmA5XWDzUjm72TGnG9J8p~M7cpwpHOQjKkxnK8IPpKyn8ffJyl5YYuoZ-YOxVq8S2jlgWZvBpI~UstGCDiyeI7Pb1oXOOqyGKRUyBuBrqX6oFoLDGl64ahR1vl7I13GRUpZtp2Y0jYb6rh7qS5a707GHzvysdAynOgCJEjH1MQ5FsRfKIrbErYkl~B~7hQKVx9hJ-rZsgxm6EpFNzu1EQLhLCwJt704th-~dQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 372, a local bill sponsored by the Prince George's County delegation and presented by Paul Andrews on behalf of Delegate Julian Ivey, would remove a sunset provision for a local development authority in Prince George's County so the authority's work can continue.

Andrews told the Senate Finance Committee that the bill passed the House of Delegates 135–2 and the Prince George's County House delegation before arriving in the Senate. \"It removes a sunset provision for this local development authority so that their good work can continue,\" Andrews said and asked the committee for a favorable report.

The committee did not receive opposition testimony at the hearing, and the sponsor stated no additional witnesses were expected. No committee vote or further debate was recorded during the hearing.

","Delegate Julian Ivey's local bill, House Bill 372, would remove the sunset provision for a local development authority in Prince George's County. The committee received a sponsor-only presentation and no opposition testimony was offered at the March 20 hearing.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6628782,"Maryland telehealth bill raises debate over allowing controlled-substance prescriptions by remote clinicians",0,2748000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2714625-673c10c11e1851332bb1da52511a1d0b&start=2748&end=2748","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2714625-673c10c11e1851332bb1da52511a1d0b/thumbnail_2748000.jpg","/articles/6628782/Maryland/Maryland-telehealth-bill-raises-debate-over-allowing-controlled-substance-prescriptions-by-remote-clinicians","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628782-5130a8c9ab9c4d813db207757cfb1b65/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453016&Signature=KowKLe~B7JuiWNe8nn2MOXzqv1z-5iTQAK8Ub72XWEFPxHuoG8SXu8QpDxRvEMjo2~mH9Ei2xvFEpipRn-drfv-HtZ4BwzTqOjJkxI8tQixYdMEVJM6XZzaFZOsO7V0vEQde7ebpDDhPMduXXmQWuPItBuFoEejHkL-tf5buhre9S0pwJQuiQzqS1bwmRSBmBT-qoySsIV-N8gGkK1D0nzvatj7-~oeqPW~8Gel7YEl9WbeQuIZ1NPXnlONlikWwcS3O6UDeuG~KnQHpJ84Rp9aJdXD8dzUFEm6ql~4VkP9fJSLqFPEm51IwXN4Q3GXmYdRa6z6spEsq6LCHaGYsxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 869, the Preserve Telehealth Access Act of 2025, would permanently extend telehealth provisions set to expire in 2025 and includes an amendment discussed at the Senate Finance Committee hearing on March 20 that would remove Maryland's prohibition on prescribing certain controlled substances for the treatment of pain via telehealth.

A physician presenting the bill on behalf of a delegate said repeal of the prohibition \"would help to improve access to pain management for patients, especially patients with chronic pain,\" citing barriers such as travel distance, limited mobility and time constraints. The presenter said repealing the state prohibition would not remove federal and state safeguards: clinicians would remain subject to federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulations, the state's controlled‑substances rules and required use of the prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP).

Supporters from health systems said the amendment preserves access for patients with established clinician‑patient relationships. Jennifer Wheaton of LifeBridge Health told the committee telehealth \"was a critical tool during COVID\" and that allowing prescribing to established patients is an access issue; she said health systems follow multiple oversight mechanisms including DEA and PDMP requirements.

Helen Hughes, a physician at Johns Hopkins who leads the university's telemedicine program, described patient scenarios where remote prescribing reduces burdens on seriously ill patients. She recounted a \"mid‑30s cancer patient ... with metastatic bone disease\" who would otherwise need frequent in‑person visits for palliative pain care and said physicians already consider standard of care and licensure when prescribing.

Why it matters: The central tension is access versus safeguarding against diversion and inappropriate prescribing. The Attorney General's Health Education and Advocacy Unit (HEAU) raised concerns in committee files and senators pressed witnesses on whether the amendment is sufficiently narrow. Supporters said they have discussed language with HEAU and are willing to refine provisions that ensure a bona fide clinician‑patient relationship and additional safeguards.

Senators also asked about modality requirements. Witnesses noted that many patients rely on audio‑only telehealth and that requiring video could reduce access for populations with limited broadband or device access. Jennifer Wheaton and Dr. Hughes said clinicians should exercise judgment within regulatory standards; Wheaton suggested options such as requiring an established relationship or additional registration for remote prescribing in line with anticipated DEA rules.

The committee did not take a vote. Witnesses urged the panel to reconcile the House and Senate versions and to consider narrower language clarifying that prescribing be limited to established patients, subject to federal registration requirements and state oversight.

","House Bill 869 would permanently extend telehealth provisions and an amendment would allow prescribing certain controlled substances for established patients via telehealth; health systems supported the change for access while the Attorney General's office flagged concerns about scope and safeguards.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6628787,"Insurers urge caution as bill seeks to allow clinical social workers to perform workers' compensation impairment ratings",934,1655000,2589000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2714625-673c10c11e1851332bb1da52511a1d0b&start=1655&end=2589","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2714625-673c10c11e1851332bb1da52511a1d0b/thumbnail_1655000.jpg","/articles/6628787/Maryland/Insurers-urge-caution-as-bill-seeks-to-allow-clinical-social-workers-to-perform-workers-compensation-impairment-ratings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628787-69e59bfcb4fbd0b543ceede6a379edcd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453016&Signature=QIfcSpvt0pEWoeBENlkHhGr1CtpEiVzF~nMNd-Q6yexLHyrROwd5-NaSLRIOcG7aaw058erp9SAB-WjvO94rlITdFpOhgOIXADgJZuyubVToeGgbXQxM6P2QvG1nTXoPNATEgNIuuDRPF~nDOmcKVRP6QkDiZougqhBRtjVOJg6BbkNtCgQnL8miL27-6V6jstASPPBcmznVwpzls50YKm9PHu07enYPrntNt~baSW0eCTOND7IqLWEz0sshMorZAXQBUWy65H0fmJxuBbA34zxDDyxDaKPsfTTzaBFIGuQjmsqUjZTjVfENg0tQn59umyjqKtS3IK~rqpouaNmgeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 1210 would authorize licensed certified social workers (clinical) — referred to in testimony as LCSWCs — to conduct evaluations for permanent mental or behavioral impairment in Maryland workers' compensation claims. The Senate Finance Committee heard testimony on the measure on March 20.

Proponents told the committee that LCSWCs are licensed, have training to evaluate and treat mental-health conditions and routinely use standardized frameworks such as the American Medical Association's guides to the evaluation of permanent impairment.

\"LCSWCs play a critical role in mental and behavioral health care in Maryland,\" Christine Crone of the Greater Washington Society for Clinical Social Work said. She urged a favorable report, noting that the Maryland Health Occupations Article recognizes LCSWCs' authority to \"evaluate, diagnose and treat mental and emotional conditions and impairments.\" Arthur Flax, a licensed clinical social worker with decades of experience, said he has testified as a qualified expert in Maryland and federal courts.

Opponents — principally insurance industry and defense organizations — urged the committee to report the bill unfavorably. Carmine D'Alessandro, representing Chesapeake Insurance Employers Company and the Injured Workers' Insurance Fund, said the AMA guides currently used in Maryland reference physicians and psychiatrists as the appropriate evaluators. \"In the fifth edition it specifically says these ratings must be conducted by a psychiatrist,\" D'Alessandro said, and he predicted defendants would move to exclude LCSWC impairment opinions in circuit court appeals.

Michael Bailey, representing Maryland defense counsel, said the bill could generate increased motion practice and appellate litigation under Maryland's expert‑testimony standards (Daubert). \"What this bill causes are unintended problems on impairment ratings that the American Medical Association guides specifically limit to physicians, psychiatrists, and psychologists,\" Bailey said.

Supporters countered that LCSWCs already diagnose and treat such conditions and are qualified to apply the AMA framework. Flax said he has been a qualified expert witness in Maryland circuit courts and the U.S. District Court for the Fourth Circuit and that his opinions have been upheld.

Why it matters: The dispute centers on admissibility and perceived limits in the AMA guides used to convert impairment percentages to monetary awards in workers' compensation. Insurers warned that if appellate judges follow the AMA guidance strictly, LCSWC impairment ratings could be excluded and injured workers might end up without an admissible expert opinion.

Committee questions focused on whether changes in statute would trump AMA guidance and how judges may rule on expert‑qualification motions. Witnesses acknowledged that motions to strike could be filed and said the result would depend on individual judges and appellate review.

No vote or committee action was recorded during the hearing.

","Supporters said House Bill 1210 would authorize licensed certified social workers (clinical) to conduct permanent mental or behavioral impairment evaluations in workers' compensation cases; insurers and defense counsel warned AMA guidance and appellate practice may limit those opinions' admissibility.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6628791,"Maryland bill to create AI work group draws criticism over membership skew",1052,358000,1410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2714625-673c10c11e1851332bb1da52511a1d0b&start=358&end=1410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2714625-673c10c11e1851332bb1da52511a1d0b/thumbnail_358000.jpg","/articles/6628791/Maryland/Maryland-bill-to-create-AI-work-group-draws-criticism-over-membership-skew","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628791-d60151ced1c9b6f1a7b4e2c11a4b0455/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453016&Signature=n45mfCZ52PdhFSx4IEUmFFMzCGX8CYgLNeXWlHnEhyIKiEK88Y0rTMGFGp5XslfvjHibl1wtm52fbtLAf3wUz0cfpZ5SLitWfbhQBROFqzdkLGsmFnue7bnoeaSrd5i9qwvzVU8KsqtnddwrFtVq41-xjeKFLzefHuH0naj91HZTOh3vHkTPt7lsCy21G6Z3~uBgIR4rFTP~1VA2EhO0TUNqClt0BafGogpbsVOG5WY0OvMF2ZgwyNdVVD-PRmt37h3pRyXl8JOKNqZ7cHaVjYA7sF2-XRaAVxXr376C5~48xZtyVDwgtUT2~gxrvcHrj7SR4TFjPqicEdWq5UoNzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 956, introduced on behalf of Delegate C.T. Wilson, would establish a statewide work group to study artificial intelligence implementation and issue recommendations by July 1, 2026. The bill was presented to the Senate Finance Committee on March 20 by Charon Lanier, legislative director for Chairman C.T. Wilson.

Lanier told the committee that HB 956 would \"ensure Maryland takes a proactive approach to AI policy, balance and innovation, consumer protections, and fairness as AI technology evolves.\" He said the work group would include representatives from technology, e-commerce, biotechnology, real estate, health care and education and would study private-sector AI use, review enforcement mechanisms and develop policy recommendations.

Why it matters: Witnesses at the hearing urged the committee to change the bill's membership before moving it forward. Dozens of consumer advocates, labor representatives and privacy groups told senators they feared the current structure would produce recommendations that favor businesses and miss harms to workers and consumers.

Donna Edwards, president of the Maryland State and D.C. AFL-CIO, said the bill as drafted omits labor representation on the panel and urged lawmakers to add worker advocates. \"Labor is not even represented on this task force,\" Edwards said, adding that workers are \"the ones that are gonna be more impacted than anyone else.\" She recommended the work group review prior state AI bills and statutory language instead of starting from scratch.

Grace Geddy, policy analyst at Consumer Reports, said the bill directs the work group to consider consumer, employment and privacy rights but includes no slots for consumer-protection or civil-rights organizations. \"There are three representatives of the real estate community but zero representatives of consumer protection interests,\" Geddy said. She urged the committee not to advance the bill without significant changes to its makeup and said Colorado's task force provided a more representative model.

Ben Winters, director of AI and privacy at the Consumer Federation of America, called the membership \"absolutely unacceptable\" if the legislature intends the work group to stand in for substantive AI regulation. \"We're way beyond working groups and task forces,\" Winters said, arguing that the panel as drafted would likely yield business-friendly recommendations and defer real regulation.

John Fiestro, representing the Cyber Security Association in Maryland, asked the committee to add cyber-security professionals to the panel and suggested reducing the number of individual industry seats from three to two to accommodate additional stakeholders.

The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) and other public-interest groups made similar points in written testimony and at the hearing, arguing the bill omits academics, technologists, civil-rights advocates and privacy experts and warning the composition would bias recommendations against meaningful protections.

Committee response and next steps: Senators asked witnesses clarifying questions about proposed membership changes and prior state models. Lanier acknowledged Colorado's task force and said HB 956 is intended to \"position Maryland as a leader in AI governance,\" including work-group recommendations due July 1, 2026. No formal action or vote was recorded during the hearing.

Ending note: Several witnesses said they would support a work group if its membership were broadened to include labor, consumer, privacy and civil-rights representation and if the panel's work built on prior legislative hearings and studies rather than starting anew.

","Supporters said House Bill 956 would position Maryland to study AI impacts; labor, consumer and privacy groups told the Senate Finance Committee the work group's membership is too weighted toward industry and lacks labor, civil-rights and privacy representation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sponsor says nursing-board cleanup bill simply aligns disciplinary authority for direct-entry midwives

Prince George's local development authority bill gets sponsor-only presentation in Senate Finance hearing

Maryland telehealth bill raises debate over allowing controlled-substance prescriptions by remote clinicians

Insurers urge caution as bill seeks to allow clinical social workers to perform workers' compensation impairment ratings

Maryland bill to create AI work group draws criticism over membership skew