Bill > HB743

This bill establishes the Health Care Quality Fund for Community-Based Behavioral Health Programs within the Maryland Department of Health, designed to improve behavioral health care services in the state. The fund will be financed through civil penalties collected from behavioral health programs, state budget appropriations, interest earnings, and other potential sources. The Maryland Department of Health will administer the fund, which can only be used for training, grant awards, demonstration projects, and other initiatives aimed at enhancing behavioral health care quality. The fund is special and non-lapsing, meaning unspent money will not revert to the general fund at the end of the fiscal year. The State Treasurer will invest the fund's money like other state funds, and any interest earned will be credited back to the fund. Importantly, the bill specifies that this funding is supplemental and not intended to replace existing funding for the Behavioral Health Administration or the Office of Health Care Quality. The Department is required to adopt regulations for distributing funds from this new account, and the bill will take effect on October 1, 2025.

Health and Social Services

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0743?ys=2025RS