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SB 14MARYLANDSession 2026State BillSigned into law

Enacted

Maryland updates effective dates for special enrollment periods in Small Business Health Options plans

Original title: Health Insurance - Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Enrollment - Effective Dates

Last action · April 14, 2026: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 138

Companion · HB 273same policy, House version

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Does

Maryland alters the effective dates for health insurance coverage under Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Exchange plans for individuals enrolling during specific s, effective October 1, 2026.

Why it matters

Small business employees and dependents enrolling during certain life events or court orders will experience revised coverage start timelines under their health plans.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

small employer health benefit plan enrollees

Eligible employees and their dependents enrolling through special enrollment periods experience changes to when their health coverage officially takes effect.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does this law take effect?

The Act takes effect on October 1, 2026.

What does the bill change regarding health insurance?

It alters the effective dates of enrollment in Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Exchange plans for individuals who enroll during certain s.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Votes, people, money & the original source

Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

16 actions

Apr 14, 2026Governor of MarylandEnrolled
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 138
Apr 3, 2026SenateFloor
Returned Passed
Apr 2, 2026HouseFloor
Third Reading Passed (132-0)
Apr 1, 2026HouseFloor
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
Apr 1, 2026HouseCommittee
Favorable Report by Health
Mar 25, 2026House
Hearing 3/26 at 2:00 p.m.

Show 10 earlier actions

Mar 25, 2026House
Hearing canceled
Mar 17, 2026House
Hearing 3/26 at 1:00 p.m.
Feb 13, 2026HouseCommittee
Referred Health
Feb 12, 2026SenateFloor
Third Reading Passed (43-0)
Feb 10, 2026SenateFloor
Second Reading Passed
Feb 10, 2026SenateFloor
Favorable Adopted
Feb 9, 2026SenateCommittee
Favorable Report by Finance
Jan 19, 2026Senate
Hearing 1/28 at 2:00 p.m.
Jan 14, 2026SenateIntroduced
First Reading Finance
Sep 16, 2025SenateIntroduced
Pre-filed

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Connected Entities

Small Business Health Options Program, Maryland

OrganizationSmall Business Health Options Program“Health exchange program for small businesses”Map →

locationMaryland“Jurisdiction enacting the legislation”Map →

Sources

Open source document

mgaleg.maryland.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance40
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy5
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz10
Current news / social attention level

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