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HB 714

Health - Abortion Data - Submission to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lauren Arikan and 6 co-sponsors

Maryland would report abortion statistics to the CDC for national health surveillance, filling a data gap in federal reproductive health tracking systems.

First Reading Health
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Bill Summary · HB 714

Legislative bill overview

HB 714 would require Maryland to submit abortion data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for inclusion in national health surveillance systems. Currently, Maryland does not report abortion statistics to the CDC, making it one of several states that withhold this data from federal health tracking. The bill mandates standardized data collection and reporting on abortion procedures performed in the state.

Why is this important

Abortion data gaps create incomplete national health statistics, affecting public health research, epidemiological trends, and evidence-based policymaking. States that don't report to the CDC limit researchers' and policymakers' ability to understand abortion access patterns, safety outcomes, and health disparities across the country. This data is particularly significant for tracking maternal health and reproductive health outcomes at the population level.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy concerns: Opponents may argue that even aggregated abortion data reporting could indirectly identify individuals or facilities, particularly in less populous regions
  • State autonomy: Some may view federal data collection requirements as federal overreach into state health decisions
  • Political polarization: Abortion reporting has become politically contentious, with some viewing CDC surveillance as either essential public health infrastructure or unnecessary federal monitoring of reproductive healthcare

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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