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HB 422

Public Health - Expedited Partner Therapy - Bacterial Vaginosis and Licensed Certified Midwives

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tiffany Alston and 12 co-sponsors

Authorizes Maryland healthcare providers to prescribe antibiotics to sexual partners of bacterial vaginosis patients without direct examination to reduce reinfection and improve treatment outcomes.

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Bill Summary · HB 422

Legislative bill overview

HB 422 would authorize expedited partner therapy (EPT) for bacterial vaginosis in Maryland, allowing healthcare providers to prescribe antibiotics to the sexual partners of patients diagnosed with the condition without requiring the partner to be examined first. This streamlines treatment by enabling providers to give patients medication to deliver to their partners, reducing transmission rates and treatment delays.

Why is this important

Bacterial vaginosis affects a significant portion of reproductive-age women and increases vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy complications. Expedited partner therapy has been shown in clinical studies to reduce reinfection rates and improve health outcomes, while also reducing the burden on healthcare systems by decreasing the need for separate partner appointments.

Potential points of contention

  • Medical oversight concerns: Treating patients without direct examination raises questions about proper diagnosis verification, potential antibiotic resistance from inappropriate use, and liability issues if adverse reactions occur
  • Scope of practice debate: Some may argue this expands prescribing authority in ways that bypass standard clinical protocols and informed consent procedures
  • Equity and access: Questions about whether this primarily benefits those with reliable access to healthcare providers, or whether implementation details could create disparities in who receives this treatment option

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

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