February 9, 2026
Last week, House Bill (HB) 931 was introduced in the Maryland General Assembly. It proposes new statewide standards for medical directors in nursing homes, aiming to strengthen clinical oversight and accountability in long-term care facilities.
The bill would require nursing home medical directors to hold an approved medical director certification or be actively pursuing one within a specified timeframe. In addition, HB 931 limits physicians to serving as medical director for no more than two nursing homes at a time. PALTmed and its Mid-Atlantic Chapter have flagged the two-facility limit as a potential concern, and amendments remain possible as the bill advances.
HB 931 also directs the Maryland Department of Health to establish and maintain a publicly accessible online directory of nursing home medical directors. The directory would include each director’s credentials and certification status, increasing transparency for regulators, patients, and families.
The measure has been referred to the House Health Committee for further consideration during the 2026 legislative session. If passed, the law would take effect on October 1, 2026.