MD HB372

Hospitals with emergency departments must screen patients to determine if they have an emergency pregnancy-related medical condition and provide treatment to stabilize the condition, including pregnancy termination when medically necessary

Hospitals may not transfer patients with unstabilized emergency pregnancy-related conditions unless the transfer complies with federal EMTALA requirements (42 U.S.C. § 1395dd)

Hospitals are prohibited from taking adverse action against healthcare providers who refuse to transfer unstabilized patients or who provide treatment consistent with medical standards of care, and against employees who report violations

Civil penalties for negligent violations are up to $50,000 per violation for hospitals with 100+ beds and up to $25,000 per violation for hospitals with fewer than 100 beds

Takes effect October 1, 2026, and creates an exception to existing Maryland law that otherwise allows hospitals to refuse to permit pregnancy terminations