Bill > HB882

This bill makes significant changes to the funding and duration of the State's Consumer Health Information Hub, which is designated as the University of Maryland Herschel S. Horowitz Center for Health Literacy. The Hub's purpose is to ensure the public has access to accurate, easy-to-understand information in preferred languages about health, safety, and social services benefits. Key provisions include removing the mandatory annual $350,000 appropriation that the Governor was required to include in the budget, meaning the Hub will now operate "to the extent funding is available." Additionally, the bill repeals the termination date for certain laws related to the Hub and consumer health information, meaning these provisions will remain in effect indefinitely rather than expiring on June 30, 2026. The Hub will continue to carry out duties such as promoting health literacy criteria, identifying and recommending solutions for health literacy challenges, monitoring initiatives, and supporting health literacy officers, but its ability to do so will be dependent on available funding.