> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.womensrightsdata.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Current Status - Maryland - URL: https://www.womensrightsdata.org/current-status-maryland/ - Published: 2026-09-10T12:08:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-10T18:45:53.000Z - Author: WRDI Staff - Tags: Maryland, State Summary **As of September,** Maryland continues to maintain broad and durable protections for women’s rights. Recently, attention has shifted to federal actions that could affect how some of those protections operate in practice. In August, Maryland challenged new federal conditions on [Title X family-planning funding](https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Challenges-Title-X-Funding-Conditions.aspx?ref=womensrightsdata.org) and joined a multistate lawsuit against [new USPS requirements for mail voting](https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Sues-United-States-Postal-Service-Over-Unlawful-Attempt-to-Interfere-with-States%E2%80%99-Vote-by-Mail-Proce.aspx?ref=womensrightsdata.org). In September, the state also joined a challenge to federal restrictions on [Medicaid and CHIP funding](https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Joins-Coalition-Challenging-Trump-Administration%E2%80%99s-Latest-Attack-on-Healthcare-for-Transgender-Youth.aspx?ref=womensrightsdata.org) for gender-affirming care. The 2025-2026 legislative session produced new laws that expanded protections related to emergency pregnancy care, over-the-counter contraception access at colleges and universities, menopause-related healthcare, and support services for pregnant and parenting students. A new state [Voting Rights Act](https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1939131/?ref=womensrightsdata.org) expands protections against vote dilution at the local level, while legislation signed in May [codifies emergency pregnancy care](https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1925799/?ref=womensrightsdata.org) requirements for hospitals, including when pregnancy termination is medically necessary to stabilize a patient. ### Top 5 Things to Know - **New laws are improving care during pregnancy and after birth.** Recent changes expand mental health screening, emergency care protections, and support systems for pregnant and postpartum women. - **Maryland expanded voting protections, but mail voting now faces federal pressure.** The state's new Voting Rights Act strengthens protections against vote dilution, while Maryland is challenging new federal USPS requirements that could affect the state’s vote-by-mail system. - **Protections for survivors are getting stronger.** New laws change how cases are handled, aiming to reduce barriers for victims of sexual assault and improve accountability. - **Colleges are expanding support for students’ health and caregiving needs** Schools must now provide contraception access and build systems to support pregnant and parenting students. - **Maryland strengthened emergency pregnancy-care protections.** Hospitals must provide stabilizing treatment for emergency pregnancy-related conditions, including pregnancy termination when medically necessary. ### Women’s health Maryland maintains strong protections for reproductive health and women’s healthcare, reinforced by recent voter and legislative action. **Reproductive care** Abortion remains legal in Maryland, generally up to viability. The state requires Medicaid and most private insurance to cover it, and has robust [shield laws](https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1561742?ref=womensrightsdata.org) in place to protect providers. In 2024, voters approved a [constitutional amendment](https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/governor-moore-signs-proclamation-to-enshrine-reproductive-freedom-in-maryland%E2%80%99s-constitution.aspx?ref=womensrightsdata.org#:~:text=Published:%201/17/2025,of%20protection%20of%20abortion%20rights.) protecting reproductive freedom, strengthening long-term legal durability. In 2025, Maryland was the first state to create a [grant program](https://healthlaw.org/news/maryland-signs-groundbreaking-abortion-access-bill-into-law-advancing-the-promise-of-the-affordable-care-act/?ref=womensrightsdata.org#:~:text=With%20the%20signing%20of%20HB,sound%20approach%20to%20expanding%20access.) (HB 930) using existing, unspent ACA premium funds to expand abortion access to women in financial need. In 2026, Maryland enacted [SB169](https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1925799/?ref=womensrightsdata.org), requiring hospitals to provide stabilizing treatment for emergency pregnancy-related medical conditions, including pregnancy termination when medically necessary. The law mirrors key protections found in the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) and was adopted amid ongoing national debate over emergency abortion care requirements. **Healthcare access** Maryland has one of the more expansive healthcare systems in the country, with policies that support maternal, reproductive, and preventive care. Medicaid expansion provides broad access to healthcare coverage, including maternal and postpartum services. Recent legislation has [expanded support for perinatal mental health](https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1968039/?ref=womensrightsdata.org), requiring screening and strengthening referral pathways during pregnancy and the postpartum period. In 2026, Maryland also [expanded access to over-the-counter contraception](https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1967970/65984?ref=womensrightsdata.org) at public colleges and universities and advanced policies related to menopause care and support services for pregnant and parenting students. As a regional access point for reproductive healthcare, Maryland continues to face some capacity pressures, including provider availability and appointment wait times. Federal healthcare disputes are creating new uncertainty around some services. In August, Maryland [co-led a multistate lawsuit](https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Challenges-Title-X-Funding-Conditions.aspx?ref=womensrightsdata.org) challenging new federal conditions on Title X family-planning funding, which supports contraception, cancer screenings and other preventive care. Maryland also [won a federal court ruling](https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Secures-Major-Court-Victory-Protecting-Gender-Affirming-Care-Under-the-Affordable-Care-Act.aspx?ref=womensrightsdata.org) blocking a rule that would have removed certain gender-affirming care from Affordable Care Act cost protections. In September, the state [joined another challenge](https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Joins-Coalition-Challenging-Trump-Administration%E2%80%99s-Latest-Attack-on-Healthcare-for-Transgender-Youth.aspx?ref=womensrightsdata.org) to new federal restrictions on Medicaid and CHIP funding for gender-affirming care for minors and some young adults. ### Workplace rights Maryland’s workplace policies support pay equity and caregiving, though implementation continues to shape how these protections function in practice. - A [pay transparency law](https://www.tydingslaw.com/news-insights/new-maryland-wage-and-hour-laws-effective-october-1-2024?ref=womensrightsdata.org#:~:text=Starting%20October%201%2C%202024%2C%20new%20Maryland%20wage,posting%20language%2C%20and%20an%20optional%20disclosure%20form.) took effect in 2024, requiring wage-range disclosure. - The state enacted a [Paid Family and Medical Leave program](https://labor.maryland.gov/whatsnews/laborfirstmajorstepfamli.shtml?ref=womensrightsdata.org). - In 2025, implementation of paid leave benefits [was delayed](https://labor.maryland.gov/whatsnews/laborproposesextendingimplementationtimelineforfamli.shtml?ref=womensrightsdata.org), pushing the start of benefits to January 1, 2028. ### Violence & safety Maryland’s violence-prevention framework focuses on protecting survivors through the courts and service systems, rather than implementing sweeping statutory changes. A new law in 2026 [strengthens protections](https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1948659/?ref=womensrightsdata.org) for survivors of sexual assault, including changes to law enforcement practices and court procedures aimed at reducing barriers to reporting and protecting victims’ rights. - [State law](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gfl§ion=4-505&ref=womensrightsdata.org#:~:text=The%20temporary%20protective%20order%20may%20also%20include:,needed%2C%20but%20not%20to%20exceed%20six%20months.) allows courts to issue civil protective orders and restrict firearm access in domestic-violence cases. - [Survivor services](https://gocpp.maryland.gov/grants/programs/domv/?ref=womensrightsdata.org) are supported through a combination of state and federal funding, with availability varying by county and local capacity. - Because many programs rely on federal grant structures, funding and enforcement priorities at the national level remain an important factor in service stability. ### Voting & civic participation Maryland maintains [broad access to voting](https://elections.maryland.gov/voting/index.html?ref=womensrightsdata.org), with early voting, mail-in voting, and same-day registration contributing to high participation and relatively few structural barriers. Recent 2026 updates further improve access by making it easier for eligible voters to [register after incarceration](https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1936101/?ref=womensrightsdata.org), [increasing transportation access](https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1926244/?ref=womensrightsdata.org) to early voting sites, and [strengthening protections](https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1925987/?ref=womensrightsdata.org) for participants in the Address Confidentiality Program. Also in 2026, Maryland enacted a state [Voting Rights Act](https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1939131/?ref=womensrightsdata.org) that prohibits local election systems that dilute the voting power of protected classes and creates new legal pathways for challenging discriminatory election practices. The law expands state-level voting-rights protections even as federal voting-rights standards continue to evolve. Those protections are now facing new federal pressure. In August, Maryland [joined a multistate lawsuit](https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Sues-United-States-Postal-Service-Over-Unlawful-Attempt-to-Interfere-with-States%E2%80%99-Vote-by-Mail-Proce.aspx?ref=womensrightsdata.org) challenging new U.S. Postal Service requirements for mail voting. A federal court temporarily blocked key provisions while the case proceeds, but the dispute creates new uncertainty around an established voting option ahead of the November election. ### Education Maryland’s education policies generally support student access and equity, with protections that extend to health services, anti-discrimination measures, and school-based support systems. 2026 laws expand support for student health and caregiving needs, including requirements for public colleges to provide access to [over-the-counter contraception](https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1967970/?ref=womensrightsdata.org) and to implement plans supporting [pregnant and parenting students](https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1925797/?ref=womensrightsdata.org) through resources, referrals, and accommodations. Because many education policies intersect with federal law—particularly around Title IX and student protections—implementation remains an evolving area. In June 2026, the U.S. Department of Education [opened investigations](https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-opens-investigations-maryland-state-department-of-education-and-three-maryland-school-districts-alleged-title-ix?ref=womensrightsdata.org) into three Maryland school districts regarding policies affecting transgender students' participation in athletics and access to sex-separated facilities. The investigations do not change Maryland law but could influence future implementation or federal enforcement. ### Related WRDI Reporting [Contraception and the messy reality of private insurance](https://www.womensrightsdata.org/contraception-and-the-messy-reality-of-private-insurance/) (Aug 26) [Voters Choose Reproductive Freedom in Maryland](https://www.womensrightsdata.org/voters-choose-reproductive-freedom-in-maryland/) (Dec 25) [Maryland funds abortion access expansion ](https://www.womensrightsdata.org/maryland-funds-abortion-access-expansion/)(Dec 25) [Workplace benefits delayed in Maryland until 2028](https://www.womensrightsdata.org/maryland-delays-workplace-benefits-until-2028/) (Dec 25) --- ### Support WRDI Women's rights are changing across the country. Your support helps keep fact-based information free, accessible, and easier to understand. If you find this work valuable, consider supporting WRDI. [Support WRDI](https://www.womensrightsdata.org/#/portal)