Maryland Lawmakers Push Women-Focused Bills, Many Face Legislative Hurdles

Proposals tackle maternal health, menopause care, child care access, and criminal justice disparities, but many face uncertain futures in the state legislature.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 9:04am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

With just over a week left in the legislative session, a slate of bills focused on Maryland women has advanced through the General Assembly, tackling issues from maternal health and menopause care to child care access and public safety. While many proposals have gained traction in one chamber, several face uncertain futures in the other as the state legislature nears the end of its 90-day stretch.

Why it matters

The legislation highlights the scope of challenges facing women in Maryland, from pregnancy through aging, and the limits of how far lawmakers may be able to go this year to address them. Advocates say the outcome will signal how far the state is willing to go in addressing systemic gaps affecting women.

The details

The bills include measures to require insurers to cover screenings for perinatal mental health conditions and mandate that providers conduct those screenings during pregnancy and the year after birth. Another proposal would require insurers to cover evaluation and treatment of perimenopause and menopause symptoms. Lawmakers have also advanced bills to update Maryland's prohibition on female genital mutilation and cutting, expand privacy protections for survivors of sexual assault, and guarantee access to emergency abortion care. Additionally, bills aim to expand access to the state's child care scholarship program and create a long-promised prerelease center for incarcerated women.

  • The legislative session has just over a week left.
  • The bills have advanced through the General Assembly in recent weeks.

The players

Maniza Habib

A research associate at the Population Institute, a nonprofit promoting sexual health and reproductive rights.

Sen. Dawn Gile

The sponsor of a bill that would require insurers to cover screenings for perinatal mental health conditions.

Sen. Sara Love

The sponsor of a bill that would update Maryland's prohibition on female genital mutilation and cutting.

Sen. Nancy King

The sponsor of a bill that would require the governor to extend the state's child care credential program.

Sen. Mary Washington

The sponsor of a bill that would formalize the creation of a long-promised prerelease center for incarcerated women.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“There's just a culture of stigma around (women's issues), and this growing conservativeness around bodily autonomy that almost makes it harder to have these conversations and push these bills that are meant to protect all of us.”

— Maniza Habib, Research Associate, Population Institute

“Behavioral health conditions are the leading cause of pregnancy-associated deaths in Maryland. Too many women are screened but not connected to care. Too many are left navigating a fragmented system when time is critical.”

— Sen. Dawn Gile

“You'd be surprised to know that approximately 30,000 girls in Maryland are at risk.”

— Sen. Sara Love

“In moments of emergency, people need clarity about what care they can receive and where. Without that, delays can become dangerous.”

— Maniza Habib, Research Associate, Population Institute

“Our state relies on strong child care systems so that parents can continue working while their children learn and grow in a safe, high-quality environment. Child care is a complex, multifaceted system that underpins both family stability and the broader economy.”

— Sen. Nancy King

What’s next

The fate of many of these bills remains uncertain as the legislative session enters its final stretch. Lawmakers will need to work quickly to pass the proposals before the session ends.

The takeaway

The legislative session in Maryland has seen a flurry of bills aimed at addressing a wide range of issues affecting women, from maternal health and menopause care to child care access and criminal justice disparities. While many of these proposals have gained traction in one chamber, they face an uncertain future in the other, highlighting the persistent challenges in addressing systemic gaps and the need for continued advocacy to ensure women's needs are prioritized.