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MD SB490

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/2/2026

Primary Sponsor

Clarence Lam

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Prohibits the Maryland Medical Assistance Program from requiring prior authorization for prescription drugs treating adult enrollees diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depression, PTSD, or medication-induced movement disorders related to serious mental illness treatment, except as required under federal law (42 U.S.C. § 1396A)

  • Bans step therapy or fail-first protocols for prescription drugs used to treat the same serious mental illness conditions for all enrollees (adults and children)

  • Takes effect July 1, 2026

  • Includes a 3-year sunset provision, automatically expiring on June 30, 2029 without further legislative action

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 2/17 at 1:00 p.m.

2/3/2026

Committee Referrals

Finance2/2/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available