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Panel unanimously advances bill replacing 'mental hygiene' with 'mental health' in Health‑General Article
Summary
The subcommittee unanimously passed Senate Bill 163 to update statutory language by replacing outdated references to 'mental hygiene' with 'mental health,' require a departmental review of regulations by July 1, 2027, and update public materials as soon as practicable.
The Public Health and Minority Health Disparities Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee voted unanimously to advance Senate Bill 163, which replaces remaining statutory references to "mental hygiene" with "mental health" throughout the Health‑General Article and directs the relevant department to review and update regulations by July 1, 2027.
"So the bill replaces remaining references to mental hygiene with mental health throughout the health general article," Erin, a legislative staff member, said while summarizing the bill. She added the measure requires the department to conduct a thorough review of its regulations by 07/01/2027 and to update public‑facing electronic materials as soon as practicable.
After a brief opportunity for members to ask questions, a member moved the bill, another seconded, and the subcommittee voted. Chair Bagnell announced that Senate Bill 163 passed unanimously.
The change is primarily editorial and aims to modernize statutory language; the bill does not, in this session, alter program eligibility or funding. The measure will proceed as advanced by the subcommittee.
