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MD HB637
MD HB637Public Health - Recommendations for Immunizations, Screenings, and Preventive Services - Pharmacist Administration and Required Health Insurance Coverage (The Vax Act)
summary
Introduced
01/30/2026
01/30/2026
In Committee
01/30/2026
01/30/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Requiring the Secretary of Health to issue recommendations for certain immunizations, screenings, and preventive services based on certain evidence-based scientific and clinical guidance; altering the authority of pharmacists to administer certain vaccinations; altering the health insurance coverage requirements for certain immunizations, screenings, and preventive services; and repealing obsolete language regarding the pertussis vaccine.
AI Summary
This bill, known as The Vax Act, aims to update public health recommendations and insurance coverage for preventive services by requiring the Secretary of Health to issue evidence-based recommendations for immunizations, screenings, and preventive services for all ages, aligning with guidance from authoritative medical organizations and federal health agencies like the CDC and HRSA, and making these recommendations publicly available online and distributed to healthcare professionals and the Maryland Insurance Administration. It also expands the authority of pharmacists to administer a wider range of vaccinations, including those recommended by the Secretary of Health, provided they meet specific training and certification requirements, and ensures that health insurance plans cover these recommended preventive services and immunizations without imposing cost-sharing requirements like copayments or deductibles, with these changes applying to policies and plans issued, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027. Additionally, the bill repeals outdated language related to the pertussis vaccine.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (48)
Gabriel Acevero (D)*,
Nick Allen (D),
Marlon Amprey (D),
Dylan Behler (D),
Harry Bhandari (D),
Adrian Boafo (D),
Regina Boyce (D),
Derrick Coley (D),
Eric Ebersole (D),
Mark Edelson (D),
Diana Fennell (D),
Linda Foley (D),
Cathi Forbes (D),
Michele Guyton (D),
Andrea Harrison (D),
Terri Hill (D),
Marvin Holmes (D),
Julian Ivey (D),
Dana Jones (D),
Aaron Kaufman (D),
Robbyn Lewis (D),
Bernice Mireku-North (D),
David Moon (D),
Gabriel Moreno (D),
Darrell Odom (D),
Julie Palakovich Carr (D),
Cheryl Pasteur (D),
Edith Patterson (D),
Scott Phillips (D),
Andrew Pruski (D),
Lily Qi (D),
Denise Roberts (D),
Mike Rogers (D),
Kim Ross (D),
Malcolm Ruff (D),
Gary Simmons (D),
Jared Solomon (D),
Ryan Spiegel (D),
Vaughn Stewart (D),
Deni Taveras (D),
Veronica Turner (D),
Joe Vogel (D),
Courtney Watson (D),
Jennifer White Holland (D),
Greg Wims (D),
Jamila Woods (D),
Chao Wu (D),
Natalie Ziegler (D),
Last Action
House Health Hearing (13:00:00 2/26/2026 ) (on 02/26/2026)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0637?ys=2026RS |
| BillText | https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb0637f.pdf |
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