2004 Legislative Action - Senate Bills

Here you will find a running list of bills considered by MedChi's Legislative Committee, with positions taken by the committee and status of each. It is updated weekly during the legislative session (January 14-April 12, 2004) and derived from Legislative Committee Agendas.  Go to Legislative Action to sign up for up-to-the-minute e-mail alerts,  find and contact your legislators, write a letter to the media, or find biographical information on your legislators.

Full text and status of each bill is available by clicking on the bill number listed in the following chart. (You will need to be able to view RTF documents.)

There is also a wealth of knowledge about the Maryland General Assembly available at their homepage. To send an e-mail to a delegate or senator, click here. To determine which delegate or senator serves a particular district, click here.

Contact MedChi's Annapolis Office for more information.

SENATE BILLS - 2004 SESSION  
April 13, 2004 Volume 10, FINAL  

The action indicated is the action of the Legislative Committee and not necessarily 
the final position of MedChi.  All information is accurate as of publication date. Hearing dates are subject to change, call to confirm.

Key to Abbreviations:
SWA: Support with Amendments (legislative committee took no action on these bills)
NP: No Position
HB: House Bill
SB: Senate Bill
POS: Position

2004 Senate Bills

Bill No. Title Position Status
SB 4 Regulation and Acquisition of Nonprofit Health Service Plans, Senator Middleton Support Senate Finance House Health and Government Operations, Bill is in the Senate - Returned Passed Awaiting Governor's Signature
SB 29 Nonprofit Health Service Plans - Compensation of Officers and Executives - Authority of Insurance Commissioner, Senator Middleton Support Senate Finance House Health and Government Operations, Bill is in the Senate - Returned Passed Awaiting Governor's Signature
SB 72 Respiratory Care Professional Standards Committee - Sunset Extension and Program Evaluation, The President (By Request - Department of Legislative Services) FYI Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs House Health and Government Operations, Bill is in the Senate - Returned Passed Awaiting Governor's Signature
SB 79 Income Tax - Credit for Long-Term Care Premiums, Senator Haines FYI Senate Budget and Taxation, Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Budget and Taxation Bill Failed
SB 84 Creation of a State Debt - Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Senator Brochin FYI Senate Budget and Taxation, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation Heard 3/8 at 1:00 a.m. Bill Failed
SB 96 Nonprofit Health Service Plans - Submission of Premium Tax Exemption Reports, Senator Middleton Support Senate Finance House Health and Government Operations, Bill is in the House - Re-referred Health and Government Operations Heard 4/8 at 1:00 p.m. Bill Failed
SB 98 Family Law - Child Abuse and Neglect - Failure to Report - Penalty, Senators Kelley et al SWA Judicial Proceedings, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Judicial Proceedings Bill Failed
SB 104 Creation of a State Debt - Prince George's Hospital Center, Senators Britt et al FYI Senate Budget and Taxation, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation Heard 3/8 at 10:00 a.m. Bill Failed
SB 113 Workers' Compensation - Accidental Injury - Unusual Activity, Senator Astle FYI Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Finance Bill Failed
SB 130 Creation of a State Debt - Holy Cross Health, Senators Grosfeld et al FYI Senate Budget and Taxation, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation Heard 3/8 at 10:00 a.m. Bill Failed
SB 131 Maryland Health Care Commission - Affordability of Health Insurance in Maryland - Study and Recommendations, Senators Teitelbaum et al Support Senate Finance House Health and Government Operations, Bill is in the Senate - Passed Enrolled Awaiting Governor's Signature
SB 140 Clean Indoor Act of 2004, Senators Ruben et al Support Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Finance Bill Failed
SB 144 General Assembly - Department of Legislative Services - Office of Legislative Audits - Audit Requirements, Senator McFadden et al Support Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs, Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Education Health and Environmental Affairs Bill Failed
SB 148 Health Insurance - Small Group Market - Cost-Sharing Arrangements, Senator Astle Oppose Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Finance Bill Failed
SB 167 Prescription Drugs - Canadian Mail Order Plan, Senators Pinsky et al NP Senate Finance House Rules and Executive Nominations, Bill is in the Senate - Special Order...Bill Failed
SB 176 Occupational and Professional Licensing - Disciplinary Actions - Grounds, Chairman, Education Health and Environmental Affairs Committee (By Request - Departmental - Labor, Licensing and Regulation) FYI House Education Health and Environmental Affairs House Economic Damages, Bill is in the House - Unfavorable Economic Matters Bill Failed
SB 177 Maryland Office of Minority Health, Senators Exum et al Support Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs House Health and Government Operations, Bill is in the Senate - Returned Passed Awaiting Governor's Signature
SB 189 Department of Health and Mental Hygiene - Federally Qualified Health Centers Grant Program, The President (By Request - Administration) NP Senate Budget and Taxation House Health and Government Operations, Bill is in the House - Re-referred Health and Government Operations Heard 4/8 at 1:00 p.m. Bill Failed
SB 193 Maryland Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act, The President (By Request - Administration) SWA Senate Judicial Proceedings, Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Judicial Proceedings Bill Failed
SB 207 Creation of a State Debt - St. Joseph Medical Center, Senators Brochin et al FYI House Budget and Taxation, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation Heard 3/8 at 10:00 a.m. Bill Failed
SB 232 Frederick County - Sheriff - Appointment of Medical Advisors, Senators Brinkley, Garagiola, and Mooney FYI Senate Judicial Proceedings House Judiciary, Bill is in the House - Unfavorable Judiciary Bill Failed
SB 247 Public Health - Liscensed Pharmacists - Dispensing Emergency Contraception, Senators Grosfeld et al Oppose Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Education Health and Environmental Affairs Heard 3/9 at 1:00 p.m. Bill Failed
SB 248 Public Health - Licensed Pharmacists - Emergency Contraception Dispensing Program, Senators Grosfeld et al Oppose Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Education Health and Environmental Affairs Heard 3/9 at 1:00 p.m. Bill Failed
SB 265 Abortion - The Women's Health Protection Act, Senators Greenip et al NP with a letter Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Education Health and Environmental Affairs Heard 3/10 at 1:00 p.m. Bill Failed
SB 270 Creation of a State Debt - Laurel Regional Hospital, Senator Currie FYI Senate Budget and Taxation, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation Heard 3/8 at 10:00 a.m. Bill Failed
SB 281 State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, and Speech-Language Pathologists - Membership, Senator Conway Oppose Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs House Health and Government Operations, Bill is in the Senate - Passed Enrolled Awaiting Governor's Signature
SB 296 Maryland Health Care Foundation and Maryland Health Care Trust, Senator Della Support Senate Finance House Health and Government Operations, Bill is in the Senate - Passed Enrolled Awaiting Governor's Signature
SB 330 Health Occupations Boards - Misdemeanor Offenses - Delegation of Authority, Fines, and Penalties, Senator Hollinger (By Request) NP and will monitor it's progress Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs, Bill is in the Senate - Referred to interim study Bill Failed
SB 332 Hospitals - Umbilical Cord Blood - Donation, Senators Jacobs, Kelley, Lawlah, and Stone NP Senate Finance House Health and Government Operations, Bill is in the Senate - Returned Passed Awaiting Governor's Signature
SB 349 Unborn Victims of Violence Act , Senators Green et al NP Senate Judicial Proceedings, Bill is in the Senate - Favorable Judicial Proceedings Bill Failed
SB 351 Public Health - Abortion - Parental Notice. Introduced at SB 457 in 2003 and no position was taken., Senators Jacobs et al NP with a letter Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs, Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Education Health and Environmental Affairs Bill Failed
SB 352 Health Care Decisions - "Patient's Plan of Care" Form - Communication of Patient Preferences, Senator Hollinger Support Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs House Health and Government Operations, Bill is in the Senate - Returned Passed Awaiting Governor's Signature
SB 360 Department of Health and Mental Hygiene - Medical Assistance Programs - Disclosure of Employer, Senators Pinsky et al NP Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Finance Heard 2/27 at 1:00 p.m. Bill Failed
SB 364 Creation of a State Debt - Franklin Square Hospital Center, Senators Harris et al FYI Senate Budget and Taxation, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation Heard 3/8 at 10:00 a.m. Bill Failed
SB 378 Tobacco Tax - Rate, Senators Ruben et al Support Senate Budget and Taxation, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation Heard 3/3 at 1:00 p.m. Bill Failed
SB 386 Medicare Supplement Act - Scope, Senators Klausmeier and Stone Withdrawn before position could be taken Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - Withdrawn Finance Bill Failed
SB 389 Maryland Pharmacy Act - Practice of Pharmacy - Administration of Medication, Senator Klausmeier Oppose Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs House Health and Government Operations, Bill is in the Senate - Passed Enrolled Awaiting Governor's Signature
SB 401 Workers' Compensation - Evaluation of Permanent Impairments, Senators Exum, Gladden, and Hafer Oppose Senate Finance House Economic Matters, Bill is in the House - First Reading Economic Matters Heard 4/1 at 1:00 p.m. Bill Failed
SB 402 Health - Ambulatory Surgical Facilities - Definition and Regulation Introduced as SB 612 in 2003 and a Support position was taken, Senator Klausmeier Support Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Finance Bill Failed
SB 406 State Board of Nursing - Skilled Nursing Assistants - Establishment and Certification, Senator Hollinger FYI Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs House Health and Government Operations, Bill is in the Senate - Returned Passed Awaiting Governor's Signature
SB 411 Health Occupations - Maryland Athletic Trainers Act, Senators Britt, Astle, and Grosfeld Support Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs, Bill is in the Senate - Withdrawn Education Health and Environmental Affairs Bill Failed
SB 436 Medical Malpractice Insurance - Rates and Rate Filings, Senators Kelley et al Oppose Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Finance Heard 2/25 at 1:00 p.m. Bill Failed
SB 437 Health Insurance - Required Reimbursements - Podiatrists, Senators Kelley et al Oppose Senate Finance House Health and Government Operations, Bill is in the Senate - Returned Passed Awaiting Governor's Signature
SB 438 Medical Malpractice Insurance - Excessive Rates, Senators Kelley et al Oppose Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Finance Heard 2/25 at 1:00 p.m. Bill Failed
SB 451 Health Care Providers - Collection of Medicare Copayment and Deductibles, Senators Astle and Stoltzfus Support Senate Finance House Health and Government Operations, Bill is in the Senate - Returned Passed Awaiting Governor's Signature
SB 454 Health Insurance - Health Insurance Benefit Cards, Senator Hafer SWA Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Finance Bill Failed
SB 461 Health Insurance - Pharmacies - Electronic Reimbursement, Senator Klausmeier NP Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Finance Bill Failed
SB 466 Workers' Compensation - Medical Services and Treatment - Health Care Provider Panel, Senator Astle Oppose Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Finance Bill Failed
SB 468 Workers' Compensation - Accidental Personal Injury - Definition, Senator Astle NP Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Finance Bill Failed
SB 469 Maryland Health Care Commission - Fees - Health Care Practitioners, Senator Jacobs FYI Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - Withdrawn Finance Bill Failed
SB 471 Freestanding Ambulatory Care Facilities - Licensing - Abortion Services, Senators Harris et al NP with a letter Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Education Health and Environmental Affairs Heard 3/10 at 1:00 p.m. Bill Failed
SB 472 Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2004, Senators Harris et al FYI Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Education Health and Environmental Affairs Heard 3/10 at 1:00 p.m. Bill Failed
SB 496 Public Health - Compulsive Gambling Treatment Program, Senator Dyson NP Senate Budget and Taxation, Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Budget and Taxation Bill Failed
SB 499 State Council on Cancer Control - Cervical Cancer Committee of the Maryland Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan, Senators Lawlah et al NP Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs House Health and Government Operations, Bill is in the Senate - Passed Enrolled Awaiting Governor's Signature
SB 519 Health Occupations - State Board of Examiners in Optometry - Scope of Practice, Senators Conway et al Oppose Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Education Health and Environmental Affairs Heard 3/9 at 1:00 p.m. Bill Failed
SB 524 Creation of a State Debt - Queen Anne's County - Hospice House, Senator Pipkin FYI Senate Budget and Taxation, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation Heard 3/6 at 3:00 p.m. Bill Failed
SB 529 Health Insurance - Maryland Health Insurance Plan - Specialist Services, Senator Ruben Support Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Finance Bill Failed
SB 537 Health Insurance - Small Group Market - Premium Rates, Senator Astle Oppose Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Finance Bill Failed
SB 544 Medical Malpractice Reform - Tax Credit for Malpractice Insurance, Senator Frosh Support the concept Senate Budget and Taxation, Bill is in the Senate - Withdrawn Budget and Taxation Bill Failed
SB 545 Medical Malpractice Insurance - Base Rates, Senators Miller et al Oppose Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Finance Heard 2/25 at 1:00 p.m. Bill Failed
SB 566 Civil Actions - Liability of Insurer for Expenses, Litigation Costs, and Interest, Senator Grosfeld NP Senate Judicial Proceedings, Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Judicial Proceedings Bill Failed
SB 570 Health Insurance - Small Group Market - Limited Health Benefit Plan, Senators Teitelbaum et al SWA Senate Finance House Health and Government Operations, Bill is in the Senate - Passed Enrolled Awaiting Governor's Signature
SB 574 Community-Based Mental Health Services Funding, Senators Kelley et al FYI Senate Budget and Taxation, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation Heard 3/25 at 1:00 p.m. Bill Failed
SB 576 Health Insurance - Coverage of Groups of Mandated Health Insurance Services, Senator Teitelbaum NP Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - Withdrawn Finance Bill Failed
SB 592 Drunk and Drugged Driving - Death or Life Threatening Injury - Mandatory Tests, Senator Jacobs NP Senate Judicial Proceedings House Judiciary, Bill is in the Senate - Returned Passed Awaiting Governor's Signature
SB 593 Health Insurance Carriers - Required Disclosures, Senators Gladden et al Support Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Finance Bill Failed
SB 636 Jury Verdict - Damages - Revisory Power of Court, Senator Green Oppose Senate Judicial Proceedings, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Judicial Proceedings Heard 3/4 at 1:00 p.m. Bill Failed
SB 638 Workers' Compensation - Accidental Personal Injury - Definition, Senator Astle FYI Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Finance Bill Failed
SB 645 Health Maintenance Organizations - Reimbursement of Health Care Providers - Covered Services, Senator Astle Support Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - Withdrawn Finance Bill Failed
SB 687 Medical Assistance Program - Payments to Providers - Penalties, Senators Teitelbaum, Della, and Hollinger FYI Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Finance Bill Failed
SB 708 Medical Malpractice Insurance - Policies with Deductibles, Senator Brochin NP Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Finance Heard 2/25 at 1:00 p.m. Bill Failed
SB 714 Health Insurance - Small Group Market - Modifications and Clarifications, Senator Middleton SWA Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - Returned Passed Awaiting Governor's Signature
SB 715 Access to Health Care and Community Health Care Safety Net Act of 2004, Senators Hollinger and Middleton Support the concept of expanded access Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Finance Heard 2/27 at 1:00 p.m. Bill Failed
SB 717 School-Based Health Centers - Physician Assistants, Senator Hollinger FYI Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs, Bill is in the Senate - Withdrawn Education Health and Environmental Affairs Bill Failed
SB 737 Public-Private Partnership for Health Coverage for all Marylanders Bill was introduced as SB 557 in 2003 and was referred to the Future of Health Care Committee, Senator Arnick Support the goal of increased access Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Finance Heard 2/25 at 1:00 p.m. Bill Failed
SB 756 Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Carve-Out of Specialty Mental Health Services, Senator Middleton Support Senate Finance House Health and Government Operations, Bill is in the Senate - Returned Passed Awaiting Governor's Signature
SB 798 Health Insurance - Maintenance Drug Prescriptions - Mail Order Purchase, Senator Middleton NP Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - Re-referred Finance Bill Failed
SB 840 Maryland Physicians Noneconomic Damages Reimbursement Fund, Senator Brochin Oppose Senate Judicial Proceedings, Bill is in the Senate - Withdrawn Judicial Proceedings Bill Failed
SB 868 Health Insurance - Treatment of Morbid Obesity, Senator Middleton NP Senate Finance House Health and Government Operations, Bill is in the Senate - Passed Enrolled Awaiting Governor's Signature
SB 873 Mental Health - Emergency Evaluation - Psychiatric Nurses, Senator Hollinger NP Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs House Health and Government Operations, Bill is in the Senate - Returned Passed Awaiting Governor's Signature
SB 896 Physicians - Practice of Medicine - Expert Witness Testimony, Senators Mooney et al SWA Senate Judicial Proceedings, Bill is in the Senate - Re-referred Judicial Proceedings Heard 3/25 at 1:00 p.m. Bill Failed
SB 931 Maryland Health Insurance Plan - Board of Directors - Authority, Senator Middleton Refer to Health Insurance Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - Re-referred Finance Heard 3/24 at 1:00 p.m. Bill Failed
SB 907 Health Reform Act of 2004, Chairman, Finance Committee (By Request - Departmental - Health and Mental Hygiene) Support Senate Finance, Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Finance Bill Failed


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