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Votes at a glance: Finance Committee approves multiple bills unanimously; SB 473 held for revision

Finance Committee · February 20, 2026

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Summary

During its Feb. 19 voting session the Finance Committee approved several bills on veterans' designations, health care practice changes, CON requirements, aging policy, and nutrition program eligibility by unanimous voice votes; SB 473 on driver training for human‑trafficking was held for further drafting.

The Finance Committee on Thursday considered a slate of bills and approved the majority by unanimous voice vote. The committee also held one measure, Senate Bill 473, for further drafting after members raised enforcement and reporting concerns.

Bills approved (motion and unanimous committee approval): - Senate Bill 150 — expands authorization to indicate veteran status on public profiles (no opposition; no fiscal impact). - Senate Bill 123 — amends membership of the oversight committee on quality of care in nursing homes and assisted living facilities and corrects committee and association names (no opposition; no fiscal impact). - Senate Bill 394 — adds bacterial vaginosis to conditions eligible for expedited partner therapy and adds licensed certified midwives as authorized practitioners (mover: Senator Jackson; second: Senator Gough; unanimous vote). - Senate Bill 444 — clarifies CON requirements for intermediate care facilities that offer substance‑related disorder treatment services (no opposition; unanimous vote). - Senate Bill 113 — departmental bill codifying the Longevity Ready Maryland plan with amendments to implementation duties and commission composition (passed as amended; unanimous vote). - Senate Bill 336 — extends the task force on responsible use of natural psychedelic substances and adds an HBCU representative (passed; unanimous vote). - Senate Bill 461 — conforms state law with federal requirements for the SNAP 'heat and eat' program to specify eligibility for households including elderly or disabled individuals (passed; unanimous vote).

One bill was held for additional work: - Senate Bill 473 — requires human‑trafficking training for certain for‑hire and transportation network drivers; sponsor‑submitted amendment narrowed requirements and added a company‑level compliance approach, but committee members requested time to consider adding reporting or enforcement language and the measure was held.

The committee adjourned and scheduled a reconvening the following day at 1:00 p.m.