City Council Hearing: Public Health & Environment Committee; April 29, 2026

The City Council Hearing of the Public Health & Environment Committee held on April 29, 2026, focused on legislative oversight of recovery homes and substance abuse clinics in Baltimore City. Key discussions included presentations on substance use outpatient treatment programs, particularly among African-American adolescents, highlighting the need for quality and efficacy in treatment rather than simply increasing the number of providers. The committee reviewed current oversight mechanisms, including licensing, certification, and inspection processes for substance use disorder clinics and recovery residences. Updates on regulatory revisions to COMAR 10.63 were discussed, aiming to enhance provider accountability and require certification for recovery residences. The Behavioral Health System Baltimore (BHSB) outlined ongoing efforts to improve provider oversight, including partnerships with Medicaid administrative services organizations (ASOs) to monitor provider performance and claims. The committee also addressed coordination challenges between city agencies, such as DHCD and BHSB, regarding inspections and complaint handling for recovery residences, emphasizing the need for improved data sharing and proactive inspections. Several action items were requested, including timelines for implementing new protocols post-COMAR revisions, obtaining updated lists of supportive housing and recovery facilities, and exploring data segmentation by council districts to better track behavioral health resources and issues locally. No specific contract awards or procurement decisions were reported, but the meeting highlighted policy and regulatory developments that could impact future vendor certification and oversight activities in the behavioral health sector.