The 2019 legislative session came to a close at midnight on April 8, 2019.

 

The state's FY2020 budget will maintain and provide expansion of services for people with developmental disabilities and their families, and several pieces of legislation, that are designed to enhance the lives of Marylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, were passed by the General Assembly and are now on the Governor's desk for consideration.  

There are many people we wish to thank for their incredible efforts to educate our elected officials and advance disability policy.  

We began session in January in a positive position with the release of the Governor's proposed budget.  The draft budget contained a 3.5% increase for Developmental Disabilities providers, funding for an array of critical  developmental disability services, and increases to child care subsidies and education.  We are grateful to the members of the General Assembly for protecting this funding as the session progressed.

We are honored to have worked alongside incredible advocates with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their family members, coalition partners, and legislative champions to educate and advocate this session toward our common overarching goal;  to create a world where children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have and enjoy equal rights and opportunities!

Happy Sine Die to all!    Click HERE to see The Arc Maryland's 2019 Legislative Wrap Up Report!