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Bill

HB 565

State Board of Pharmacy - Renewal Notices - Electronic Means

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tom Hutchinson

Maryland allows the State Board of Pharmacy to send license renewal notices only electronically, reducing costs but risking missed deadlines for licensees without reliable email access.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 307
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Bill Summary · HB 565

Legislative bill overview

HB 565 authorizes the Maryland State Board of Pharmacy to send pharmacy license renewal notices exclusively through electronic means rather than requiring paper notices. The bill eliminates the mandate for physical mail notifications while maintaining the requirement that the Board provide renewal information to licensees.

Why is this important

This change reduces administrative costs and environmental waste by streamlining pharmacy licensing communications. However, it assumes all pharmacy license holders have reliable email access and actively monitor communications, which may create barriers for some practitioners, particularly those with outdated contact information on file.

Potential points of contention

  • Digital divide concerns: Smaller or rural pharmacies may have inconsistent email access or IT infrastructure, potentially missing renewal deadlines if electronic notices are missed or filtered as spam
  • Liability and accountability: Eliminates paper trail documentation; disputes over whether notices were actually received become harder to resolve if a pharmacy claims non-receipt
  • Transition burden: Pharmacies must update contact information proactively; the Board bears no responsibility if outdated emails result in missed renewals, creating enforcement inconsistencies

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

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