MD HB1468

Hospitals must complete a safe discharge labor plan before discharging or transferring any patient in active labor, except in emergency transfers; plans must include clinical justification, travel safety assessment, and signed patient acknowledgment of risks and warning signs

Safe discharge labor plan records must be maintained for at least 21 years after the patient is discharged or transferred

Hospitals must provide annual training to obstetric, labor, delivery, and emergency care staff on maternal health, patient-centered communication, racial and ethnic disparities in maternal care, and respectful treatment regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or insurance

Violations of the discharge plan requirement carry a $25,000 civil penalty per violation; violations of record-keeping, posting, or training requirements carry escalating penalties starting at $5,000

Hospitals must submit anonymized annual reports to the Department by April 1 (beginning 2028) on discharges with and without plans and any adverse events; the Act takes effect January 1, 2027