Here Are 11 New MD Laws Going Into Effect On New Year's Day

From domestic violence training to hearing aid coverage to ending fail-first protocols for diabetes patients, multiple bills will officially become law in Maryland on Jan. 1, 2026.

The Maryland General Assembly is preparing to begin its new session on Jan. 14, but these bills that will become law on New Year's Day were passed last session.

Here are some of the changes coming to Maryland law and how they will affect residents:

Anesthesia Coverage

House Bill 1086 requires medical insurers in Maryland to cover anesthesia costs for the entire duration of a procedure, as well as care related to anesthesia delivery immediately before and after the procedure. Insurance carriers, including Medicaid, also may not impose time limits on anesthesia delivery.

Ending Fail-First Protocols For Diabetes, Metastatic Cancer Side Effects

This bill prohibits certain insurers, nonprofit health service plans and health maintenance organizations from requiring step therapy, or fail-first protocols, for Type 1, Type 2 or gestational diabetes, or for symptoms or side effects of advanced stage-four metastatic cancers.

For diabetes, the legislation prohibits medical insurers from requiring patients to try less expensive or insurer-preferred insulin options before covering the specific insulin prescribed by their healthcare provider. Maryland is the first state in the country to ensure that state-regulated health plan beneficiaries will receive the optimal insulin therapy for them.

For advanced cancer patients, the new laws expand coverage to symptoms and side effects. Existing law already prohibits step therapy for the treatment of advanced-stage four cancer.

Ending Prior Authorization For Pediatric Transfers

HB 1301 prohibits insurers, nonprofit health service plans, health maintenance organizations, Medicaid and the Maryland Children’s Health Program from requiring prior authorizations for a transfer to special pediatric hospitals. The law defines special pediatric hospitals as in-state facilities that provide non-acute medical, rehabilitation, therapy or palliative services to patients under 22 or those between ages 2 and 23 if they have co-occurring physical and behavioral health conditions.

Cancer Screenings For Firefighters

The James “Jimmy” Malone Act, cross-filed as House Bill 459 and Senate Bill 374, requires counties that offer self-insured employee health plans to provide firefighters with coverage for preventative cancer screenings without co-pays, coinsurance or deductibles.

James “Jimmy” Malone was a former state delegate and career firefighter who died in 2024 of cancer. An American Cancer Society study from July found that firefighters are at increased risk of mortality for skin, kidney and other cancers.

Domestic Violence Training For Barbers, Cosmetologists

Barbers and cosmetologists in Maryland must now complete domestic violence awareness training to become licensed. The training programs must be approved by the Maryland Department of Labor. Trainings must be at least an hour online or in-person and include guidance on how to recognize the signs of domestic violence, how to speak with clients who might be victims and connecting clients with resources and support groups for victims of domestic violence.

Tax Sale Protections For Homeowners, Heirs

HB 0059 expands protections for homeowners and heirs who risk losing their properties through tax sales. Beginning Jan. 1, counties must withhold certain owner-occupied homes and properties lived in by heirs from tax sale and create a registry that lets families formally flag their properties for protection.

The law also expands statewide rules that prevent low-balance tax debts from triggering a sale and updates notice and redemption requirements so owners and heirs have clearer information and more time to resolve tax issues before losing their homes.

Weekly Earnings Summaries For Rideshare Drivers

Under HB 861, rideshare companies must provide drivers with detailed weekly earnings summaries and annual reports. In addition to weekly summaries, rideshare companies must submit an aggregate annual report to the Maryland Public Service Commission by Feb. 1 each year.

Preserving Access To Out-Of-Network Specialists

Marylanders seeking care from out-of-network specialists will receive additional protections under House Bill 11 and Senate Bill 902. The law requires medical insurers to cover certain out-of-network services as in-network when an appropriate specialist is not reasonably available within the insurer’s network. The legislation limits higher cost-sharing for patients and expands access to specialty care.

Expanded Hearing Aid Coverage For Adults

HB 1355 requires certain insurers, nonprofit health service plan and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for medically necessary hearing aids for adults if the hearing aid is ordered, fitted and dispensed by a licensed dispenser.

Coverage For Oncology Specialty Drugs

SB 975 prohibits certain insurers, nonprofit health service plans and health maintenance organizations from excluding coverage for certain specialty drugs that are administered or dispensed by a provider that is an in–network provider of covered oncology services and who meets state qualifications.

Homecare Worker Rights Act

The Homecare Worker Rights Act requires residential service agencies to classify personal assistance workers as employees, not independent contractors, which allows them to receive state reimbursement.