Bill > SB696

This bill addresses pediatric hospital overstay patients and children in unlicensed settings in Maryland by making several key changes. The bill expands the Maryland Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Registry to include both private and state mental health services, and defines a "pediatric hospital overstay patient" as a patient under 22 years old who remains in a hospital for more than 48 hours after being medically cleared for discharge. It requires the Maryland Department of Health and the Department of Human Services to ensure these patients are transferred to the least restrictive setting when clinically indicated and possible. The bill establishes a Workgroup on Children in Unlicensed Settings and Pediatric Overstays, composed of representatives from various state agencies and organizations, to assess the number of children in unlicensed settings, develop a resource development plan to increase licensed settings, and create an implementation strategy to eliminate the use of unlicensed placements. Additionally, the bill requires each department to establish a Pediatric Hospital Overstay Coordinator to advocate for patients, maintain data, and report on pediatric hospital overstay situations. The coordinators will be responsible for tracking patient information, reviewing agency policies, and recommending improvements to better serve these patients. The bill also allows for potential budget appropriations to support additional beds at the John L. Gildner Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Health and Social Services

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0696?ys=2025RS