The Arc Maryland's Weekly Legislative Update | |
Stay up to date on legislation through our Bill Tracker! View position statements, access bill text, and check hearing times and dates. | | |
It's Martin Luther King Jr. Day! | Today, we honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and continue our work through his vision to make a difference in the lives of others through services and the fight for equal rights. We continue our advocacy on a foundation of love and understanding. One of our favorite quotes is "Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a better person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in." Be kind. Be humane. Be just. | |
Governor's Draft Budget Released - What it Means for DDA Services and Supports | |
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Last week, Governor Wes Moore released his draft budget for Fiscal Year 2026. The budget bill contains approximately $200 million in cuts and cost containment measures for the Developmental Disabilities Administration. The cuts proposed include the following:
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End the Geographic Differential rates for services in the counties that have higher costs of living. These counties border DC and other major economic centers (Frederick).
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Reinstate funding caps for IFDGS (Individual and Family Directed Goods and Services) under Self Direction. The caps on IFDGS were previously removed through the Self Direction Act of 2022, allowing individuals to move unspent/non-allocated funds from certain areas of their budgets to this category to purchase approved and needed items and services.
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End the Low-Intensity Support Services Program (LISS) which currently serves between 2,000 and 2,500 families a year with small grants (max $2,000 a year) for approved purchases like respite, home modifications to reduce barriers, adaptive equipment, and summer camps. Individuals are eligible for the grant through a lottery and may only access the fund if they do not receive other waiver services.
- Reduce the reasonable and customary rates for Self-Direction to align with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) rates used in Community Provider Services rates.
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Eliminate Wage Exceptions in Self Directed Services that allow people with a need for higher trained supporters to be paid above the reasonable and customary rate standards.
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Require Community Providers to exhaust Shared Hours in service before Dedicated Hours may be requested and used. Dedicated hours are currently used by many individuals to support 1:1 assistance to attend medical appointments, attend church, participate in work or classes, and receive other necessary services in alignment with Person Centered Plans.
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Redefine the Waiting List Equity Fund's purpose to allow for the fund to be used to supplant funding for services such as Transitioning Youth Services.
In total, the draft budget assumes $200 million saved through these cost containment measures and proposed cuts of more than 10% to the DDA budget allocation from the prior year. The proposal is that most, if not all, of these changes would take effect immediately upon the passage of the budget - in just two and a half months. This time frame does not allow for sufficient feedback and investigation into the impacts that would be created by these changes for people with IDD, their families, and Community Providers.
The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Coalition is developing messaging and a tool kit for advocacy. We need YOU to let us know how these proposed changes will impact you. Please complete the form below to provide feedback and contact information for advocacy.
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HB0249/SB0125 - Residential Real Property- Local Limits on Summoning Law Enforcement or Emergency Services
Position: Support
Current Status: HB0249 In House JUD Hearing 1/22 at 1 p.m.; Testimony due today, 1/20, by 6 p.m. on the MGA Website
SB0125 In Senate JPR Hearing 1/23 at 1 p.m.; Testimony due tomorrow, 1/21, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the MGA Website
This legislation prohibits a local jurisdiction from enforcing a law or ordinance that limits a person’s ability to call law enforcement or emergency services. It strengthens existing law passed in 2023 that prohibits landlords from using a lease with provisions limiting and tenant’s ability to call law enforcement or emergency services. The 2023 law prohibits local jurisdictions from passing local laws and ordinances, known as nuisance laws, that impose a penalty or limit the number of calls. The law, however, does not currently prohibit local jurisdictions from enforcing nuisance laws.
People with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by nuisance laws. As stated in the DD Coalition Testimony in support of this bill, one study found that at least 25% of nuisance enforcement actions were the result of a disability.[1] The bill will also protect people in crisis and people who are experiencing urgent health care needs.
[1] https://harvardcrcl.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/07/54.2-Jarwala-Singh.pdf
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Upcoming Voting Bills
Position: Oppose
Current Status: In House W&M Hearing 1/28 at 1 p.m.; Testimony due Friday, 1/24, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the MGA Website
Several voting bills have been reintroduced from the 2024 session that would create a disparate and negative situation for Marylanders with IDD.
HB0091 would require a voter to present a government-issued photo ID that includes a signature and require a person to provide a signature at the time of voting that matches the one on their ID. Some people with disabilities do not have a recognizable or consistent signature due to their conditions and are twice as likely to not have a government-issued state ID, resulting in a higher chance of being denied the right to vote under this legislation.
HB0115 would require a voter to present a voter registration card, Driver's license or other government-issued photo ID at the request of an election judge. This presents the same signature issue as HB0091.
Lastly, HB0067 would prohibit local boards of elections from removing an absentee ballot from a return envelope or ballot/return envelope or counting the ballot unless the return envelope or ballot/return envelope is signed by the voter and a witness and the local board verify the voter’s signature. Bills such as these that are overly reliant on signature placements and verification are believed to disparately impact people with disabilities.
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HB0031 - Consumer Protection- Right to Repair- Powered Wheelchairs
Position: Support
Current Status: In House EMC Hearing 1/21 at 1 p.m.; Testimony was due on Friday
This bill would require anyone doing business in Maryland who sells and repairs wheelchairs to provide needed information to consumers and collaborate for more timely, cost-efficient wheelchair repairs.
It can often take several months and sometimes years for specialized wheelchairs to be repaired. Related to this, repairs can be costly, and sometimes cost-prohibitive, leaving people without much of an option for access to a safe and reliable wheelchair. Much of this has to do with a lack of cooperation and information sharing from wheelchair manufacturers to repair companies, and a lack of transparency about costs and parts or alternatives. The DD Coalition submitted testimony is support of this legislation. We encourage you to watch the hearing here on Tuesday!
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Upcoming Briefings
Today, January 20th at 3 p.m., the House APP and Senate B&T Committees are holding a joint Fiscal Briefing on the Budget. If you would like to listen in, you can watch the livestream here this afternoon.
On Thursday, January 23rd at 10:15 a.m., the Senate B&T Committee is holding a Fiscal Outlook Briefing on the DDA. You can tune into that livestream here on Thursday or attend in-person: West Miller Senate Building, Room 3.
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This Event Is Almost Sold Out - DD Day at the Legislature
Feb 13th in Annapolis
One of the biggest advocacy days of the year is coming up soon - Registration is now open for DD Day at the Legislature with a few spots remaining! The event will be held again at the Graduate Annapolis Hotel! On February 13th, several hundred people with IDD, family members, providers, and other leaders will touch down in Annapolis to make an impact with their representatives. The DD Coalition is investigating possible overflow space in Annapolis so if you try to register and receive a message we are sold out, please add your name to the wait list to be contacted with updates.
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Medicaid: A Lifeline for Marylanders with Disabilities - How to Help Protect It
This year, Congress and the new Administration will debate the size and scope of the federal government, including a review of the Medicaid program. The stakes for people with disabilities could not be higher.
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health insurance and access to long-term care to more than 1.6 Million Marylanders, including 1 in 3 Marylanders with disabilities.
What Medicaid means for Marylanders:
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Health: Medicaid coverage unlocks access to health care and improves health.
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Financial Security: Medicaid protects families from high healthcare costs.
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Dignity and Community: Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) enable over 100,000 Marylanders with disabilities to live, work, and participate in their communities.
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Federal Investment: The federal government spent $10.6 billion on Medicaid in Maryland in 2023.
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Jobs: Medicaid creates thousands of valuable local jobs in the healthcare sector and increases employment for people with disabilities.
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Stronger Rural Hospitals: Medicaid funding enables rural hospitals and other critical healthcare infrastructure to stay open and provide care to rural residents.
Impact to Maryland’s Economy
- Cuts to federal Medicaid funding would shift costs onto Marylanders, squeezing already tight state, local, and family budgets.
- The state would be forced to make up for the loss in federal funds by raising taxes, reducing eligibility for Medicaid, reducing benefits, increasing costs for individuals and families, paying providers less, or cutting state funding from other areas like K-12 education.
- The risk of cuts to HCBS is especially great because the state spends more on HCBS than any other optional benefit. Maryland already limits HCBS due to constraints on available funding. Over 35,000 Marylanders are currently on a waitlist to receive Medicaid-funded HCBS.
- Without adequate funding for HCBS, thousands of Marylanders with disabilities would lose their independence and be forced into nursing homes or state-run institutions to survive.
How You Can Help
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Contact Congress to let them know: Medicaid is a lifeline for people with disabilities!
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Share Your Medicaid Story with The Arc US on why it is important to you or a loved one.
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Sign a Petition To Protect Medicaid for millions of children and adults with disabilities who rely on it to live in their communities.
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HEARING SCHEDULE
Please See the Bill Tracker for Our Positions on These Bills
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Monday, January 20th at 3 p.m. in House APP and Senate B&T
- Joint Fiscal Briefing on the Budget
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Tuesday, January 21st at 1 p.m. in House EMC
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HB0031 - Consumer Protection- Right to Repair- Powered Wheelchairs
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Tuesday, January 21st at 2:30 p.m. in Senate JPR
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SB0090 - Criminal Procedure- Incompetency to Stand Trial Dismissal
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Wednesday, January 22nd at 10 a.m. in Senate EEE
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SB0151 - Higher Education- Disciplinary Records- Use in Admissions and Disciplinary Proceedings
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SB0248 - Department of Service and Civic Innovation – Maryland Corps Program Service Year Option Pathways – Revisions
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Wednesday, January 22nd at 11:30 a.m. in Senate B&T
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SB0127 - State Government - Grants and Contracts - Reimbursement of Indirect Costs
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Wednesday, January 22nd at 1 p.m. in House EMC
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HB0239 - Charitable Organizations - Late Fees and Registration- Suspension and Cancellation Requirements
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Wednesday, January 22nd at 1 p.m. in House JUD
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HB0027 - Estates and Trusts - Compensation of Guardians of Property and Trustees
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HB0249 - Residential Real Property - Local Limits on Summoning Law Enforcement or Emergency Services
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Thursday, January 23rd at 10:15 a.m. in Senate B&T
- Developmental Disabilities Administration Fiscal Outlook Briefing
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Thursday, January 23rd at 1 p.m. in Senate JPR
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SB0019 - Estates and Trusts - Compensation of Guardians of Property and Trustees
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SB0125 - Residential Real Property- Local Limits on Summoning Law Enforcement or Emergency Services
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Tuesday, January 28th at 1 p.m. in Senate JPR
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SB0078 - Juvenile Child Sex Offenders- Juvenile Sex Offender Registry and Prohibition on In-Person School Attendance
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Tuesday, January 28th at 1 p.m. in House JUD
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HB0053 - Task Force on Education Funding and Student Population Growth
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Tuesday, January 28th at 1 p.m. in House JUD
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HB0195 - Criminal Procedure- Incompetency to Stand Trial Dismissal
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Tuesday, January 28th at 1 p.m. in House W&M
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HB0067 - Election Law - Absentee Ballots - Signature Requirements and Verification
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HB0091 - Elections- In-Person Voting- Proof of Identity
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HB0115 - Election Law- Polling Places- Establishing Voter Identity (Voter Privacy Act of 2025)
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Tuesday, January 28th at 2 p.m. in House HGO
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HB0033 - Department of Service and Civic Innovation – Maryland Corps Program Service Year Option Pathways – Revisions
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Wednesday, January 29th at 10:30 a.m. in Senate B&T
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SB0359 - Therapeutic Child Care Grant Program - Funding - Alterations
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Wednesday, January 29th at 1 p.m. in House HGO
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HB0141 - Task Force on Loneliness and Isolation
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Wednesday, January 29th at 1 p.m. in House W&M
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HB0057 - County Boards of Education- Student Cellular Phone Use Policy- Establishment
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HB0150 - Child Care Centers – Certificated Staff Ratio Requirement – Repeal
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HB0161 - Primary and Secondary Education – Comprehensive Health Education Framework – Established
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HB0185 - Therapeutic Child Care Grant Program - Funding - Alterations
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HB0197 - Public Schools- Restorative Practices Schools- Comprehensive Plan
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Wednesday, January 29th at 1 p.m. in Senate FIN
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SB0058 - Labor and Employment – Parental School Engagement Leave Act
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SB0208 - Human Services - Maryland Assistive Technology Program - Establishment
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Wednesday, January 29th at 1:30 p.m. in Senate EEE
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SB0029 - Education - Phone Free Schools Pilot Program- Establishment
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SB0068 - Public Schools- Restorative Practices Schools - Comprehensive Plan
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SB0130 - County Boards of Education- Student Cellular Phone Use Policy- Establishment
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Thursday, January 30th at 1 p.m. in Senate FIN
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SB0129 - Public Health - Maryland Commission on Health Equity - Advisory Committee and Hospital Reporting
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Thursday, January 30th at 1 p.m. in House W&M
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HB0377 - Prince George’s County – Income Tax – Credit for Employers Providing Parental Engagement Leave, PG 409-25
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Please Note: the following abbreviations identify the Legislative Committees in the Assembly: | |
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House of Delegates:
APP - Appropriations
EMC - Economic Matters
E&T - Environment and Transportation
HGO - Health and Government Operations
HRU - Rules and Executive Nominations
JUD - Judiciary
W&M - Ways and Means
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Senate:
B&T - Budget and Taxation
EEE - Education,Energy, and the Environment
EXN - Executive Nominations
FIN - Finance
JPR - Judicial Proceedings
SRU - Rules
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