Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed legislation Tuesday requiring hospitals to provide emergency pregnancy-related care, including abortions when medically necessary, codifying protections previously tied to federal guidance under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).
The new law requires hospital emergency departments to screen patients for emergency pregnancy-related conditions and provide stabilizing treatment, including terminating a pregnancy if necessary to protect the patient’s life or health.
Hospitals unable or unwilling to provide the care must transfer patients to another facility if it can be done safely.
The measure, Senate Bill 169, passed the Maryland House in April on a 96-37 vote after clearing the Senate earlier this year.
Supporters said the legislation was needed after the Trump administration revoked Biden-era federal guidance clarifying that EMTALA required hospitals to provide emergency abortions when necessary to stabilize a patient.
State Sen. Clarence Lam, D-Howard and Anne Arundel, the bill’s sponsor, said lawmakers wanted to ensure Maryland patients could still access emergency abortion care regardless of future federal policy changes or religious objections from hospitals.
“This is a significant win to restore a basic expectation and necessary care for women in our state,” Lam said after the House vote.
