Legislation - SB0496

Title: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - Authorization
Sponsored by: Senators Hershey and Lam
Status: In the Senate - Passed Enrolled
Analysis: Fiscal and Policy Note (Revised)

Synopsis

Authorizing, beginning January 1, 2027, the Maryland Medical Assistance Program to provide comprehensive coverage for the treatment of obesity; requiring the Maryland Department of Health to provide notice to Program recipients if the Department elects to provide the comprehensive coverage; authorizing the Department to apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a State plan amendment authorizing the State to provide comprehensive coverage for the treatment of obesity; etc.

Committees

Original:: Finance Click to view Recorded Media

Opposite:: Health Click to view Recorded Media

Committee Testimony

Witness List

Details

Cross-filed with: HB0813

Bill File Type: Regular

Effective Date(s): October 1, 2026

History

Legislation History
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 2/02/2026 Legislative Date 2/02/2026 Action First Reading Finance Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Text - First - Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 2/03/2026 Legislative Date 2/03/2026 Action Hearing 2/17 at 1:00 p.m. Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Vote - Senate - Committee - Finance Proceedings Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/23/2026 Legislative Date 3/23/2026 Action Favorable Report by Finance Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/23/2026 Legislative Date 3/06/2026 Action Favorable Adopted Proceedings 45 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/23/2026 Legislative Date 3/06/2026 Action Floor Amendment {533126/1 (Senator Lam) Adopted Proceedings 45 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/23/2026 Legislative Date 3/06/2026 Action Second Reading Passed with Amendments Proceedings 45 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Text - Third - Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/23/2026 Legislative Date 3/07/2026 Action Third Reading Passed (43-0) Proceedings 46 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 3/24/2026 Legislative Date 3/11/2026 Action Referred Health Proceedings 48AClick to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 3/24/2026 Legislative Date 3/24/2026 Action Hearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m. Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Vote - House - Committee - Health Proceedings Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 4/03/2026 Legislative Date 4/03/2026 Action Favorable with Amendments Report by Health Proceedings
Chamber House Calendar Date 4/03/2026 Legislative Date 3/18/2026 Action Favorable with Amendments {993226/1 Adopted Proceedings 55 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 4/03/2026 Legislative Date 3/18/2026 Action Second Reading Passed with Amendments Proceedings 55 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 4/08/2026 Legislative Date 3/22/2026 Action Third Reading Passed (109-23) Proceedings 59 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 4/09/2026 Legislative Date 3/22/2026 Action Senate Concurs House Amendments Proceedings 61AClick to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 4/09/2026 Legislative Date 3/22/2026 Action Third Reading Passed (42-0) Proceedings 61AClick to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 4/09/2026 Legislative Date 3/22/2026 Action Passed Enrolled Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Text - Enrolled - Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - Authorization Proceedings

Chamber	Calendar Date	Legislative Date	Action	Proceedings
Senate	2/02/2026	2/02/2026	First Reading Finance
			Text - First - Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity
Senate	2/03/2026	2/03/2026	Hearing 2/17 at 1:00 p.m.
			Vote - Senate - Committee - Finance	Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	3/23/2026	3/23/2026	Favorable Report by Finance
Senate	3/23/2026	3/06/2026	Favorable Adopted	45 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	3/23/2026	3/06/2026	Floor Amendment {533126/1 (Senator Lam) Adopted	45 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	3/23/2026	3/06/2026	Second Reading Passed with Amendments	45 Click to view Recorded Media
			Text - Third - Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity
Senate	3/23/2026	3/07/2026	Third Reading Passed (43-0)	46 Click to view Recorded Media
House	3/24/2026	3/11/2026	Referred Health	48AClick to view Recorded Media
House	3/24/2026	3/24/2026	Hearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m.
			Vote - House - Committee - Health	Click to view Recorded Media
House	4/03/2026	4/03/2026	Favorable with Amendments Report by Health
House	4/03/2026	3/18/2026	Favorable with Amendments {993226/1 Adopted	55 Click to view Recorded Media
House	4/03/2026	3/18/2026	Second Reading Passed with Amendments	55 Click to view Recorded Media
House	4/08/2026	3/22/2026	Third Reading Passed (109-23)	59 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	4/09/2026	3/22/2026	Senate Concurs House Amendments	61AClick to view Recorded Media
Senate	4/09/2026	3/22/2026	Third Reading Passed (42-0)	61AClick to view Recorded Media
Senate	4/09/2026	3/22/2026	Passed Enrolled
			Text - Enrolled - Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - Authorization

File Code

Subjects

Statutes