2007 General Assembly Review

The following report was given at the April Council meeting.  The complete text of all legislation below is available online at http://mlis.state.md.us/#bill

• The Confidentiality Bill (HB361/SB258) was successfully voted out of the Senate; however, on the House side, despite letters and conversations with Delegates, the bill failed to pass.  Delegate Hammen was concerned that this legislation would add additional restrictions hindering Maryland Board of Physicians activities.  Delegate Hammen is expected to conduct an interim study and the SMPS and MPS will participate in the discussion of the need for such legislation.
• SB282, the Maryland Board of Physician Sunset Extension, passed with the new provision that the MPS requested: a peer review will be conducted by two Maryland licensed physicians that have been practicing in Maryland within the past year when practical. MedChi followed other provisions closely and they benefit physicians in general.
• HB338/SB723, meant to clarify social workers’ ability to work with the mentally retarded, passed. 
• HB672 passed; it authorizes Licensed Clinical Social Workers to engage in competency evaluations of disabled persons, a privilege that was granted only to physicians and certain highly trained psychologists. The MPS had opposed this legislation and there is still concern about this legislation as passed. 
• The MPS also opposed HB1098/SB866, which would provide for licensed counselors to perform psychological testing.  This did not pass. 
• SB472, which would have imposed many constricting confidentiality measures on the Emergency Petition process, restricting its usefulness, was amended on our recommendation and passed.
• The Patient Bill of Rights HB640/SB646 also passed after being amended with input from MPS and NAMI. 
• SB601 (known as the “Sheppard Pratt” bill) passed with amendments.  This will allow a physician to work in clinics at a facility and not have to accept insurance reimbursements in his private office equal to those of the clinic. 
• HB640/SB646 was defeated with effective lobbying by the psychologists.  This was the counselors’ attempt to perform psychological testing.