Bill > HB1092

This bill requires the Maryland Department of Health to ensure that at least 24 licensed adolescent psychiatric inpatient beds, which are specialized units providing 24-hour overnight psychiatric care for individuals aged 12 to under 17, are established and continuously operated in Prince George's County by December 31, 2028. The Department can achieve this by expanding existing facilities, contracting with private or nonprofit operators, or forming public-private partnerships, prioritizing solutions that reduce emergency room boarding and inpatient overstays, are trackable in the state's bed registry, and ensure access regardless of insurance. If expanding existing capacity cannot meet the deadline, the Department must issue a request for proposals by June 30, 2027, to solicit bids from experienced operators. Additionally, the bill mandates the Department to administer a competitive grant program for capital costs like renovation, construction, safety upgrades, and workforce start-up expenses related to these beds, with funds disbursed to hospitals, psychiatric facilities, nonprofit healthcare providers, or public-private partnerships. Furthermore, the Department must report annually to the Governor and General Assembly from October 1, 2027, until 2030, detailing the number and location of these beds, metrics on emergency department boarding and overstays, staffing barriers, and recommendations for maintaining sufficient capacity, using available data systems for this reporting. This Act takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Health and Social Services

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB1092?ys=2026RS