HB 1251

Enacted

Hospitals and Medical Professional Liability Insurers - Obstetric Services Policies (Doula and Birth Policy Transparency Act)

Sponsor: Karen Toles (District 25)Committee: Health and Government OperationsSubject: Health Care Facilities and RegulationStatus: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 751 (as of Dec 1, 2025)

What this bill does

Official synopsis

Requiring certain hospitals to adopt certain policies relating to obstetric services and to provide evidence to the Maryland Department of Health that the hospital has the policies; requiring the Maryland Department of Health to provide certain policies to the public on request; and requiring insurers that issue or deliver medical professional liability insurance policies in the State to provide the Maryland Department of Health, on request, with information regarding the insurer's policy regarding coverage of obstetric services.

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Analysis reads the bill text, the fiscal note, and the witness list. It is generated by Claude and reviewed by nobody, so check the source documents before you rely on it.

Testimony (0)

MGA witness list

FAV 23FavorableFWA 4Favorable with amendmentsINFO 1Information only

Position	Witness	Organization	Testimony
FAV	Reiner, Elizabeth	Association of Independent Midwives of Maryland	Oral
FAV	Watts, Jessica	Association of Independent Midwives of Maryland	Written (PDF)
FAV	Barocca, Paige	Association of Independent Midwives of Maryland (AIMM)	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	McDonough, Caitlinlobbyist	HJM	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	McDonough, Caitlinlobbyist	HJM	Oral
FAV	Daniels, Christina	MFSB	Oral
FAV	Brandon, Kirra	Maryland Families for Safe Birth	Written (PDF)
FAV	Campbell, Valerie	Maryland Families for Safe Birth	Oral
FAV	Chaffee, Jennifer	Maryland Families for Safe Birth	Oral
FAV	Eldridge, Laura	Maryland Families for Safe Birth	Oral
FAV	TOLES, KAREN	Maryland General Assembly	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Mehu, Natashalobbyist	Maryland Hospital Association	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Richardson, Alexa	Office of the Public Defender	Oral
FAV	Rodney, Ana	The Rising Mama	Oral
FAV	Jones, Dana	Women's Caucus	Written (PDF)
FAV	Alexander, Jennifer	Individual	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Brody, Tova	Individual	Oral
FAV	Delegate Toles, Delegate Toleslegislator	Individual	Oral
FAV	Delegate Toles, Delegate Toleslegislator	Individual	Oral
FAV	Elliott, Robynlobbyist	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	Manela, Caitlin	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	Sherrell, Shawna	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	Williams, Nikki	Individual	Oral
FWA	Mehu, Natashalobbyist	Maryland Hospital Association	Oral + Written (PDF)
FWA	Elliott, Robynlobbyist	Individual	Oral + Written (PDF)
FWA	Krone, Christinelobbyist	Individual	Oral + Written (PDF)
FWA	Krone, Christinelobbyist	Individual	Oral + Written (PDF)
INFO	Brocato, Deborahlobbyist	Individual	Written (PDF)

Organizations on record

Association of Independent Midwives of MarylandFAV 2

Association of Independent Midwives of Maryland (AIMM)FAV 1

HJMFAV 2

Maryland Families for Safe BirthFAV 4

Maryland General AssemblyFAV 1

Maryland Hospital AssociationFAV 1FWA 1

MFSBFAV 1

Office of the Public DefenderFAV 1

The Rising MamaFAV 1

Women's CaucusFAV 1

Registered lobbyists who testified

FAVMcDonough, CaitlinHJMRegistered for: AbbVie Inc.; Aligned Data Centers; American Academy of Anesthesiology Assistants, Inc.; Associated Builders & Contractors; Association of Independent Midwives of Maryland (AIMM); Baltimore Gas and Electric Company…

FAVMehu, NatashaMaryland Hospital AssociationRegistered for: Maryland Hospital Association; Maryland Patient Care and Access Coalition; Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants; Maryland Academy of Advanced Practice Clinicians; Baltimore Washington Rapid Rail, LLC; Maryland Works, Inc.…

FAVElliott, RobynRegistered for: American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists; Amica Center for Immigrant Rights; CareForth; Chase Brexton Health System; Coordinating Center, The; Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition…

FWAMehu, NatashaMaryland Hospital AssociationRegistered for: Maryland Hospital Association; Maryland Patient Care and Access Coalition; Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants; Maryland Academy of Advanced Practice Clinicians; Baltimore Washington Rapid Rail, LLC; Maryland Works, Inc.…

FWAElliott, RobynRegistered for: American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists; Amica Center for Immigrant Rights; CareForth; Chase Brexton Health System; Coordinating Center, The; Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition…

FWAKrone, ChristineRegistered for: American Coatings Association; Baltimore Gas and Electric Company; City of Rockville; Coordinating Center for Home and Community Care, The, LLC (dba The Coordinating Center); Greater Washington Society for Clinical Social Work, Inc.; LifeSpan Network…

INFOBrocato, DeborahRegistered for: Maryland Right to Life, Inc.