Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Maryland General Assembly, fetched 2026-09-25. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. This is the chaptered version. The official bill page.
WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 51
Chapter 51
(Senate Bill 272)
AN ACT concerning
Health Insurance – Scalp Cooling Systems – Required Coverage
FOR the purpose of requiring certain insurers, nonprofit health service plans, health
maintenance organizations, and managed care organizations that provide coverage
for chemotherapy to treat cancer to provide coverage for scalp cooling systems; and
generally relating to the coverage of scalp cooling systems by health insurance
carriers.
BY adding to
Article – Insurance
Section 15–864
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2017 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article – Insurance
15–864.
(A) IN THIS SECTION, “SCALP COOLING SYSTEM” MEANS A DEVICE USED TO
COOL THE HUMAN SCALP TO PREVENT OR REDUCE HAIR LOSS IN CONNECTION WITH
CHEMOTHERAPY TO TREAT CANCER THAT IS:
(1) DESIGNED AND INTENDED FOR REPEATED USE; AND
(2) PRIMARILY AND CUSTOMARILY USED TO SERVE A MEDICAL
PURPOSE.
(B) THIS SECTION APPLIES TO:
(1) INSURERS AND NONPROFIT HEALTH SERVICE PLANS THAT
PROVIDE HOSPITAL, MEDICAL, OR SURGICAL BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS
ON AN EXPENSE–INCURRED BASIS UNDER HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES OR
CONTRACTS THAT ARE ISSUED OR DELIVERED IN THE STATE; AND
(2) HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE
HOSPITAL, MEDICAL, OR SURGICAL BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS UNDER
–1–
Ch. 51 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND
CONTRACTS THAT ARE ISSUED OR DELIVERED IN THE STATE.
(C) AN ENTITY SUBJECT TO THIS SECTION THAT PROVIDES COVERAGE FOR
CHEMOTHERAPY TO TREAT CANCER SHALL PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR SCALP
COOLING SYSTEMS USED FOR THE PRESERVATION OF HAIR IN CONNECTION WITH
THE CHEMOTHERAPY TREATMENT.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall apply to all
policies, contracts, and health benefit plans issued, delivered, or renewed in the State on or
after January 1, 2027.
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
January 1, 2027.
Approved by the Governor, April 14, 2026.
–2–Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.