New Laws Effective January 1st, 2025

As the calendar flips to a new year, Maryland residents are greeted with a slew of new laws that went into effect on January 1, 2025. These laws span various aspects of daily life, from healthcare to road safety, and aim to improve the well-being and security of Marylanders. Here’s a detailed look at some of the most notable new laws.

Hearing Aid Coverage for Adults

One of the significant changes is the introduction of hearing aid coverage for adults. Under Senate Bill 778, health insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations are now required to provide coverage for adult hearing aids. The benefit limit is set at $1,400 per hearing aid every 36 months. This law allows insured individuals to select a hearing aid and pay any difference without penalties to the provider. The primary goal is to enhance accessibility to hearing aids for adults across the state, ensuring that more people can benefit from improved hearing health.

Security Guard Licensing

Security in healthcare facilities is also getting a boost with the new security guard licensing requirements. Senate Bill 729 mandates that employers of security guards at healthcare facilities report specific information to the Secretary of State Police every seven days. This law, effective from January 1, 2025, aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the security profession. It also forbids the inclusion of information in use-of-force reports that cannot be disclosed by state or federal law.

Maryland Road Worker Protection Act

Road safety is a critical concern, and the Maryland Road Worker Protection Act of 2024 addresses this issue head-on. House Bill 513 amends the work zone speed control systems by modifying the distribution of revenue from civil fines and the highways eligible for speed control system usage. It clarifies that a system operator’s presence is unnecessary during operation and changes the maximum penalty for civil citations. The State Highway Administration is required to produce a related report. This law aims to protect road workers by ensuring stricter enforcement of speed limits in work zones.

So Every Body Can Move Act

The “So Every Body Can Move Act” (House Bill 865) is another significant piece of legislation that went into effect. This law mandates that the Maryland Medical Assistance Program and specific insurers provide coverage for prostheses. It also requires these insurers and health plans to meet certain provider network requirements. The goal is to improve access to prosthetic devices for Maryland residents, ensuring that those who need these devices can obtain them without undue financial burden.

Opioid Overdose and Opioid-Related Emergency Medical Conditions – Treatment

Addressing the opioid crisis, Maryland has introduced new laws to improve the treatment of opioid-related emergencies. House Bill 1155 and Senate Bill 1071 require hospitals to create and uphold protocols for treating patients with opioid-related overdoses or emergency medical conditions. These laws mandate that hospitals refer patients diagnosed with opioid use disorder or prescribed related medications to appropriate community providers and peer support professionals for continued treatment. The aim is to improve continuity of care and support for individuals battling opioid addiction.

Enhanced Penalties for Speeding in Work Zones

In response to tragic incidents involving road workers, Maryland has implemented a new tiered system of fines for speeding in highway work zones. The fines are based on how much the driver exceeds the speed limit, with penalties reaching up to $1,000 for extreme violations. This law also requires signs and blue flashing lights when workers are present to give drivers ample warning of the work zone ahead. The goal is to reduce speeding and enhance safety for road workers.

Conclusion

These new laws reflect Maryland’s commitment to improving the quality of life for its residents. From healthcare enhancements to road safety measures, the state is taking significant steps to address critical issues and ensure a safer, healthier environment for all. As these laws take effect, Marylanders can look forward to a year of positive changes and continued progress.