Health and Government Operations Committee unanimously concurs on telehealth license and multiple health bills

The Health and Government Operations Committee unanimously concurred on a slate of House bills during a short session, including a concurrence that would allow a temporary telehealth license for out‑of‑state professional counselors to provide telehealth services to students enrolled at Maryland institutions of higher education, the committee chair said.

The chair described the telehealth measure as a way to “allow[] them to do it for at least 6 months” and later said, “This is important because some of our students need to continue that counseling.” The committee recorded unanimous concurrence on the bills presented and moved to return to the floor later in the afternoon.

Why it matters: The telehealth concurrence would permit the State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists to issue temporary licenses to counselors licensed in another state so they may provide telehealth counseling to an out‑of‑state student attending a Maryland institution, provided the counselor and student had an existing therapeutic relationship of at least six months. Committee members said the change addresses continuity of care for students who are enrolled at Maryland schools but located in other states.

Votes at a glance - House Bill 14 74: Concurrence to establish a temporary telehealth license issued by the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists allowing an out‑of‑state licensee…