SB385 - Maryland Vax Act: Immunization Recommendations and Pharmacist Vaccination Authority
Maryland Legislative Events
Summary
Maryland Senate Bill 385 (The Vax Act) has passed both chambers with bipartisan support (Senate 32-12, House 105-32). The bill requires the Secretary of Health to issue evidence-based recommendations for immunizations, screenings, and preventive services following a public comment period and analysis by the Maryland Health Care Commission. It also expands pharmacist authority to administer certain vaccinations.
What changed
The Vax Act establishes new requirements for the Maryland Secretary of Health to issue evidence-based recommendations for immunizations, screenings, and preventive services. Before adopting any preventive service recommendation, the Secretary must hold a notice and comment period, obtain analysis from the Maryland Health Care Commission, and cite the scientific basis for the recommendation. The bill also alters existing pharmacist authority to administer vaccinations.
Affected parties including healthcare providers, pharmacists, health insurers, and public health authorities should monitor for the governor's signature and prepare for implementation. The bill's passage with strong bipartisan support (105-32 in the House, 32-12 in the Senate) indicates likely enactment, with compliance obligations anticipated upon signing.
What to do next
- Monitor for gubernatorial action and final enactment
- Prepare for expanded pharmacist vaccination scope in Maryland
- Review insurance coverage implications for preventive services
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Maryland / SB385 Passed SB385 Senate Bill Passed 2026-03-23
Public Health - Recommendations for Immunizations, Screenings, and Preventive Services - Pharmacist Administration and Required Health Insurance Coverage (The Vax Act)
Requiring the Secretary of Health to issue recommendations for certain immunizations, screenings, and preventive services based on certain evidence-based scientific and clinical guidance; requiring the Secretary, before adopting a recommendation for a certain preventive service to hold a notice and comments period, obtain a certain analysis from the Maryland Health Care Commission, and cite the basis for the recommendation; altering the authority of pharmacists to administer certain vaccinations; etc.
Bill Details
State Maryland
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber Senate
Official Source mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation...
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Sponsors
Malcolm Augustine (Sen - D) Pamela Beidle (Sen - D) Kevin Harris (Sen - D) Shelly Hettleman (Sen - D) Cheryl Kagan (Sen - D) Nancy King (Sen - D) Clarence Lam (Sen - D) Karen Lewis Young (Sen - D) Sara Love (Sen - D) Craig Zucker (Sen - D)
Action History
2026-04-07 H Third Reading Passed (105-32) 2026-04-03 H Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed 2026-04-03 H Favorable Report by Health 2026-03-25 H Hearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m. 2026-03-23 H Referred Health 2026-03-23 S Third Reading Passed (32-12) 2026-03-20 S Second Reading Passed with Amendments 2026-03-20 S Favorable with Amendments {583921/1 Adopted 2026-03-20 S Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance 2026-01-27 S Hearing 2/10 at 1:00 p.m. 2026-01-27 S First Reading Finance
Votes
2026-03-23 Third Reading Passed Yea: 32 Nay: 12
Committee Referrals
2026-01-27 S Finance 2026-03-23 H Health
Amendments
2026-03-20 Favorable with Amendments 583921/1 Adopted Adopted
Bill Text Versions
2026-01-27 Introduced 2026-03-20 Engrossed
Subjects
Health Care Facilities and Regulation Health - Insurance Health Occupations Children (4-12) Electronic Government Health Health, Department of Health Insurance Immunization Infants and Toddlers (0-3) internet Pharmacists and Pharmacies Public Information Standards and Best Practices Time Health Care Commission Notices studies Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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