MD SB169

Hospitals with emergency departments must screen patients to determine if they have an emergency pregnancy-related medical condition and must 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 care consistent with medical standards, 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 smaller hospitals, with provisions to avoid double-penalization if federal fines are also imposed

Effective October 1, 2026; creates an exception to existing Maryland law that allows hospitals to refuse to perform pregnancy terminations