Behavioral Health Administration - Behavioral Health Program Relocation - Regulations
HB 922 requires the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) to adopt regulations specifically governing how an existing behavioral health program may relocate to a new site. The bill does not create a new licensing category; instead, it directs BHA to build a relocation process that is separate from the application process for a new behavioral health program. The regulations must include an expedited approval pathway, allow use of previously submitted documentation when still current and relevant, and permit temporary approval for a relocating program to begin operating at the new site once BHA determines the location meets life-safety standards.
The bill also requires BHA to consider a program’s regulatory history when deciding whether to streamline relocation review, and to publish clear timelines and standards for the relocation process. Existing regulatory requirements in the Health-General Article for licensure, inspections, sanctions, and governance remain in place, but this bill adds relocation-specific regulatory obligations to that framework. The act takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 922 amends Section 7.5-402(a) of the Health-General Article to expand the list of matters that BHA regulations must address. Its practical effect is to require the agency to create a more predictable and potentially faster pathway for licensed behavioral health programs to move locations without having to go through the same process as a brand-new provider. The bill affects the Behavioral Health Administration, licensed behavioral health programs, and applicants seeking to relocate existing facilities, while preserving BHA’s authority over licensure, safety, and enforcement.
The available legislative history suggests generally favorable sentiment toward the bill. The House committee reported it favorably, and the House adopted it, indicating support for the measure’s goal of reducing administrative barriers for existing behavioral health providers. No committee transcript or recorded vote details were provided, so there is no evidence in the record supplied here of organized opposition or divided debate.
The main policy issue raised by the bill is how much flexibility BHA should have in approving relocations versus how much structure and oversight should be required to protect patients and ensure compliance. Supporters are likely to favor the expedited process, reuse of prior documentation, and temporary approval provisions as ways to avoid service disruptions and reduce duplicative paperwork. Potential concerns would center on whether streamlined relocation could weaken review of safety, site suitability, or program compliance, but no specific objections are documented in the materials provided.