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HB 425

Motor Vehicle Administration - Sleep Apnea - Reporting Requirement Prohibition

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ken Kerr

HB 425 prohibits mandatory healthcare provider reporting of sleep apnea diagnoses to Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration, prioritizing medical privacy over potential driving safety oversight mechanisms.

Hearing 2/12 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 425

Legislative bill overview

HB 425 prohibits the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) from requiring healthcare providers to report patients diagnosed with sleep apnea. Currently, medical professionals may be mandated to report certain conditions affecting driving safety to the MVA, but this bill would eliminate sleep apnea from reportable conditions. The bill essentially prevents the state from collecting medical information about drivers with this condition.

Why is this important

Sleep apnea causes sudden daytime drowsiness and can impair driving ability, potentially increasing accident risk. This bill creates tension between patient privacy rights and public safety—removing a mechanism that could identify drivers whose condition poses risks to themselves and others on the road. The outcome could affect how states balance medical confidentiality with traffic safety oversight.

Potential points of contention

  • Public safety concerns: Sleep apnea is a documented cause of sudden driver fatigue; removing reporting requirements could leave dangerous drivers unidentified
  • Medical privacy rights: Healthcare providers and patients may face pressure to report conditions voluntarily, conflicting with doctor-patient confidentiality principles
  • Precedent for other conditions: Prohibiting apnea reporting may complicate regulations for other medical conditions (seizures, narcolepsy, severe cardiac issues) that legitimately affect driving safety

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

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