MD SB277

Expands Maryland's definition of "uniformed services" to include all branches defined in federal law (37 U.S.C. § 101), extending state benefits and protections beyond just armed forces to include Public Health Service and NOAA commissioned corps members

Aligns state definitions of "veteran," "active duty," "service member," and "reserve component" with federal definitions in 38 U.S.C. § 101 and 37 U.S.C. § 101, creating consistency across Maryland code

Extends health occupations licensing benefits to uniformed services members and their spouses, including expedited licensing within 15 business days, credit for military training and experience, and waiver of late renewal fees for deployed personnel

Expands eligibility for behavioral health services, housing voucher priority, Autism Waiver registry protections, and developmental disability services to all uniformed services members and their dependents, not just armed forces members

Requires hospitals and mental health clinics to record whether patients are veterans of the uniformed services (expanded from armed forces) and waives vital records fees for uniformed services members and their families