HB519 would require every hospital in Maryland to provide free parking to patients receiving care. Inpatients would be entitled to no-cost parking for the duration of their admission, and outpatients would be entitled to no-cost parking for the duration of a scheduled medical appointment. The requirement applies to parking facilities owned, operated, or leased by the hospital where the patient is receiving services.
The bill also requires hospitals to post signage at each public entrance and parking facility informing inpatients and outpatients that parking is available at no cost. The measure is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2025, and would add a new section to the Health – General Article governing hospital operations and patient access.
Impact
If enacted, HB519 would create a new statewide mandate for hospitals, overriding any hospital parking fee policies for covered patients and requiring hospitals to absorb the cost of patient parking or otherwise restructure parking operations. It would affect hospitals, patients, and any third-party operators or lessors managing hospital parking facilities, and would be codified in the Health – General Article as Section 19-308.12.
Sentiment
There is no committee transcript or recorded vote history provided, so the bill’s sentiment can only be inferred from its sponsors and subject matter. The bill appears to be framed as a patient-relief and access measure, suggesting support from sponsors concerned about the cost burden of hospital visits. No opposing arguments are documented in the provided materials.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the available record because there are no committee transcripts or votes. Potential areas of debate, based on the text alone, would likely include the financial impact on hospitals, enforcement of the free-parking requirement, and whether the mandate should apply to all hospital-owned, operated, or leased parking facilities without exceptions.