Nursing facilities provide critical care to some of Maryland's most vulnerable residents, and it is essential to comply with strict health and safety regulations.
According to Maryland's issues, as of the end of March, nearly 60% of the state's 220 nursing homes had been tested within the last 16 months. This is the federal benchmark for timely surveillance. This is a significant improvement from last June, last June, when that threshold was met.
However, as some facilities have been in operation for more than four years without comprehensive reviews, the reality remains troubling, and vulnerable residents may be exposed to unsafe or substandard living conditions.
At the 2025 legislative meeting, the Maryland Legislature passed SB 376. It aims to increase transparency and maintain pressure on state regulators. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Ben Kramer (D-Montgomery), requires the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) to submit a quarterly report to lawmakers on the status of the testing, requiring counties to provide six-month updates, detailing the progress of local testing.
From the article:
“These are the most vulnerable people in our population,” said Sen. Kramer (D-Montgomery). “And no one is looking to nursing homes to ensure that these seniors are being properly cared for.”
The bill, currently awaiting the governor's signature, included languages that originally allowed the county to partner with MDH to carry out testing. This is a model based on a previous agreement with Montgomery County. Empowering local governments could accelerate state progress by reducing the workload of state inspectors.
MACO has submitted written testimony to support the bill. By allowing local governments to assist with inspections and investigations, it ensures that facilities are not checked due to limited state resources. Given the ongoing workforce challenges, the county believes allowing local agencies to complement the national effort when they feel they are capable is a sensible strategy to protect all Maryland. However, that provision was eventually removed after a pushback from MDH citing concerns about costs and adjustments.
To view Maco's testimony, click here.
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