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SB 940

Relating to Water Pollution Control Act

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jason Barrett and 6 co-sponsors

Updates Maryland laws to align family planning and health-insurance protections with federal rules as of 12/31/2024 and clarifies enforcement against discrimination.

Passed House (Roll No. 533)
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Bill Summary · SB 940

Summary — SB 940: Health Insurance and Family Planning Services — Consumer Protections — Updates

Sponsor: Senator Hayes (Senate Bill 940)
Assigned to: Finance (Maryland)
Introduced / First read: January 28, 2025
Effective date (as enacted): June 1, 2025
Designated cross-file: HB 1045

Purpose
- Modernize and update Maryland statutory references to federal rules and definitions that govern family planning services and a variety of health-insurance consumer protections, bringing those references forward to federal law and guidance as they existed on December 31, 2024.
- Clarify enforcement jurisdiction and regulatory authority for discrimination-related consumer protections in health insurance.

Key provisions and changes
- Family Planning Program updates
- Revises the definitions of “family planning providers” and “family planning services” to reflect Title X providers and services as of December 31, 2024 (previous statutory dates referenced 2016).
- Expands the definition of family planning providers to include providers that lost Title X eligibility because of the scope of services, the scope of services for which they provide referrals/counseling, or other actions described in HHS rules — and includes providers affected by funding/grant provisions related to those entities.
- Updates the Program’s maintenance‑of‑effort baseline so State funding must be in addition to funding applied by MDH before December 31, 2024 (previously Dec. 31, 2016).
- Confirms MDH may not accept Title X federal funds if the federal program (1) excludes State‑designated family planning providers or (2) does not require a broad range of medically approved family‑planning methods; if MDH rejects Title X funds, the Governor must fund the Program at the prior-year level.

  • Health insurance consumer-protection updates
    • Updates multiple statutory cross‑references (e.g., definitions for grandfathered plans, essential health benefits, explanation of benefits, summaries of benefits and coverage, medical loss ratios, catastrophic plans, annual limits, prescription drug and rescission rules) so required regulatory consistency is measured against federal rules/guidance as of December 31, 2024 (previous statutory dates were earlier).
    • Provides that the Maryland Insurance Commissioner has concurrent jurisdiction with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) to enforce the statute prohibiting discrimination by carriers under §15‑1A‑22 (previously MCCR sole jurisdiction). The Commissioner may adopt regulations necessary to carry out enforcement, consistent with federal law and guidance in effect on December 31, 2024.

Who is affected
- Family planning providers (including those formerly eligible for Title X funding), patients who rely on family planning services, and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH).
- Health insurers and carriers operating in Maryland (due to updated references and potential regulatory changes).
- Maryland Insurance Administration and MCCR (enforcement responsibilities).
- State budgeting/executive branch if Title X funds are rejected (Governor must maintain funding).

Procedural / timeline notes
- Bill was introduced and first read in late January 2025; assigned to Finance.
- Enactment/operative date specified as June 1, 2025.
- Cross-filed companion: HB 1045.

Fiscal impact
- Department of Legislative Services: no substantive change to State activities or operations; no local fiscal effect; no small‑business effect reported.

Notes
- The bill’s primary substantive effect is to align Maryland statutory references and program baselines with the federal Title X and related federal health‑insurance rules as they stood at the end of 2024, and to clarify enforcement authority for discrimination provisions in the insurance code.

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

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