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MD HB808

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/4/2026

Primary Sponsor

Steve Johnson

Click for details

Origin

House of Delegates

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Prohibits the Maryland Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid) from imposing prior authorization requirements on prescription drugs used to treat adult enrollees diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depression, PTSD, or medication-induced movement disorders associated with serious mental illness, beginning July 1, 2026
  • Bans the Program from applying step therapy or fail-first protocols for prescription drugs treating the same serious mental illness diagnoses for any enrollee, beginning July 1, 2026
  • Preserves an exception for prior authorization requirements mandated under federal Medicaid law (42 U.S.C. § 1396A)
  • Includes a 3-year sunset provision, automatically expiring on June 30, 2029, without further legislative action
  • Introduced by Delegate S. Johnson on February 4, 2026, and assigned to the House Health Committee (cross-filed with SB 490)

Legislative Description

Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Step Therapy, Fail-First Protocols, and Prior Authorization - Prescription Drugs to Treat Serious Mental Illness

Drugs

Last Action

Hearing 2/19 at 1:30 p.m.

2/19/2026

Committee Referrals

Health2/4/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available