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Bill

SB 563

Health Facilities - Confidentiality of Medical Records - Crisis Pregnancy Clinics

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pam Beidle and 4 co-sponsors

SB 563 extends medical records confidentiality protections to crisis pregnancy clinics in Maryland, classifying their patient information as protected health data.

Hearing 2/19 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · SB 563

Legislative bill overview

SB 563 extends Maryland's medical records confidentiality protections to crisis pregnancy clinics (also called pregnancy resource centers), requiring these facilities to maintain patient privacy standards equivalent to those for licensed medical providers. The bill classifies certain patient information held by these clinics as confidential health information subject to existing state privacy laws.

Why is this important

Crisis pregnancy clinics operate in a regulatory gray area—they provide pregnancy-related services but often lack medical licensing. This bill determines whether their patient records receive the same legal confidentiality protections as traditional healthcare facilities, affecting how patient information can be shared, disclosed, or used.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition and scope: Disagreement over which facilities qualify as "crisis pregnancy clinics" and what services trigger confidentiality requirements
  • Regulatory intent: Supporters may view this as consumer protection; opponents may see it as legitimizing or expanding the role of unlicensed facilities in healthcare decision-making
  • Disclosure and transparency: Tension between protecting patient privacy and ensuring clinics disclose their unlicensed status and any limitations on their services

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

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