HB1136 requires state licensing authorities, upon request, to provide an interested party with the criteria they use to decide whether to issue or renew a license for a community-based residential facility. The bill defines “interested party” broadly to include people with a legitimate interest in the facility’s licensure, such as family members of residents and nearby neighbors. It also applies to a range of community facilities licensed or regulated under specified provisions of the Health-General Article and COMAR, including certain residential care and related facilities.
The bill further requires each licensing authority to designate a single point of contact to receive and respond to complaints, concerns, or issues about a community facility. The measure is scheduled to take effect October 1, 2025. In practical terms, it adds a transparency and communication requirement to the licensing process without changing the underlying substantive licensing standards themselves.
Impact
HB1136 would amend the Health-General Article by adding a new subtitle governing community-based residential facilities, creating two new duties for state licensing agencies: disclosure of licensing criteria on request and designation of a single contact for complaints and concerns. It would affect agencies that license or oversee community facilities under the cited statutory and regulatory provisions, and it would give residents’ families and nearby community members a clearer avenue for information and communication.
Sentiment
Based on the available record, the bill appears to be framed as a transparency and accountability measure rather than a controversial policy change. No committee transcript or vote record is provided, so there is no direct evidence of support or opposition in the materials beyond the bill’s introduction and hearing referral. The overall tone of the legislation suggests an effort to improve public access to licensing information and streamline communication with regulators.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is the scope of who counts as an “interested party,” since the bill extends access to licensing criteria beyond facility operators to family members and nearby residents. Another possible issue is the administrative burden on licensing authorities, which would need to provide criteria on request and maintain a designated point of contact for complaints. No specific objections or supporters are documented in the provided materials.