Recap of House Appropriations Committee Budget Decisions: Significant Restorations Made for FY26

Last Thursday, the House Appropriations Committee released their budget decisions for FY26. These decisions restore significant amounts of the DDA budget previously targeted for cuts and cost containment measures. Below outlines the decisions, as well as other actions that have been taken throughout the session, to restore funding to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA).

It is important to note that the budget deliberations are not over. Now it is time to offer our profuse and sincere thanks to members of the House Appropriations Committee. The Senate decisions come next and then the full budget must be reconciled and then voted on by the General Assembly. Based on what we heard last week, we believe the Senate decisions on the DDA budget will be in a very similar posture. You can read more detailed information about DDA budget decisions here.

The Senate B&T Health and Human Services Subcommittee is sharing their budget decisions today, March 24th at 2 p.m. - you can tune into it online here by clicking the LIVE button next to the subcommittee name once the livestream begins. A full budget decision from the full Budget and Taxation Committee is expected later this week.

Action Alert: Contact Leaders to Address Funding Shortfall for the Therapeutic Child Care Program!

This year's budget proposal contained a cut in the proposed funding for the Therapeutic Child Care Program, which children with significant disabilities and medical complexities and their families rely on. The FY26 proposed appropriation is 1.5 million dollars, which is $2.2 million short of what is needed to sustain these critical specialized child care programs. For comparison, the past several years, the program has been funded at 3.7 million. Without this funding, services of these children in trouble! Initially, we were informed this was an error, likely to be fixed through the supplemental budget process, but have since learned this cut was purposeful, in light of our state's tough budget position.

Today, please do two things ASAP:

1. Please contact the Governor's Office to ask Governor Moore for his help through Supplemental Funding for the program.
2. Please contact House Ways and Means leaders to ask them to please conform HB0185 to SB0359 and pass the bill with a funding intention of $3.7 million for FY27-29.

The updated template and contact information are available in the script below!

While many bills we supported crossed over to the opposite chamber earlier this month, they have yet to be scheduled for hearings in the opposite chamber. Without a hearing in the opposite chamber, these bills will not have a chance at passage this session. If any of the bills in this section resonate with you, please take a moment to call or email committee leadership and urge them to put the bill on their hearing schedule as soon as possible.

HB0031 - Consumer Protection - Right to Repair - Powered Wheelchairs

As amended, this bill would require more collaborative communication between wheelchair manufacturers, software developers, and technicians to expedite wheelchair repairs in Maryland. Currently, it can take several months for a person to get their wheelchair repaired and is more costly than it needs to be. This leaves wheelchair users stranded and without a critical piece of equipment to live, learn, and work. The bill passed the House 121-17. It had a cross-filed bill (SB0382) that was heard in the FIN committee on 2/6. Please contact the Chair of the Finance Committee and ask her to schedule this bill for a hearing!

Senator Pamela Beidle, Chair, FIN - 410-841-3593 - pamela.beidle@senate.state.md.us

HB0502 - Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy and Maryland as a Model Employer Initiative - Established

This bill establishes the Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy within the Department of Disabilities, and establishes the Maryland as a Model Employer Initiative within the Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy to facilitate efforts that improve outcomes in the hiring, recruitment, retention, and advancement of people with disabilities in the State government workforce. It previously passed in the House 105-34. The Senate cross-filed bill (SB0433) had a hearing in Senate FIN on 2/18. Please contact the Chair of the Finance Committee and ask her to schedule this bill for a hearing!

Senator Pamela Beidle, Chair, FIN - 410-841-3593 - pamela.beidle@senate.state.md.us

HB0221 - Department of Information Technology - Maryland Digital Service - Establishment

This bill would establish the Maryland Digital Service within the Department of Information Technology to support improved service delivery to Maryland residents and agency staff. DOIT is responsible for assisting the US government in prioritizing their transition to user-friendly, accessible, and multilingual digital platforms for all Maryland residents to have equitable access to information. This is an incredibly important bill for people with IDD. It previously passed the House 130-5. This bill had a cross-filed bill (SB0242) heard in the EEE Committee on 1/16. Please contact the Chair of the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee and ask him to schedule this bill for a hearing!

Senator Brian Feldman, Chair, EEE - 410-841-3169 - brian.feldman@senate.state.md.us

HB0694/SB0851 - Public Schools - Individuals With Disabilities - Main Entrance Accessibility and Emergency Planning

There are still several schools in Maryland that do not have a wheelchair-accessible front entrance. This means students with disabilities have to use an alternative entrance from their peers. The bill requires LEAs to report on whether or not their main entrance is accessible so we may have data for future capital improvements. The bill also requires schools to report to the Center for School Safety on whether or not it has an evacuation plan to address the needs of students and personnel with physical disabilities to exit a school building in an emergency, and whether special stair equipment is needed and onsite to facilitate the safe egress of people with disabilities. This bill passed the House with Amendments with a vote of 138-0. As amended, the bill is stripped of reporting requirements. We respectfully request the Senate Bill be left intact and the House Bill conformed to match the Senate Bill language. Please contact the Chair of the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee and ask him to schedule this bill for a hearing!

Senator Brian Feldman, Chair, EEE - 410-841-3169 - brian.feldman@senate.state.md.us

HB0781 - Election Law- Polling Place Procedures- Voting by Elderly Voters and Voters with Disabilities (Accessible and Expedited Voting Act of Maryland)

This bill would require the State Board of Elections to establish guidelines for the local boards of election to implement a process to expedite voting for elderly voters and voters with disabilities at each early voting center and polling place and generally relates to improving accessibility to in-person voting by elderly voters and voters with disabilities. It passed the House with Amendments with a vote of 137-1. The cross-filed bill (SB0066) was heard in the EEE Committee on 2/5. Please contact the Chair of the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee and ask him to schedule this bill for a hearing!

Senator Brian Feldman, Chair, EEE - 410-841-3169 - brian.feldman@senate.state.md.us

HB0450 - Maryland Transit Administration - Disability Reduced Fare Program - Renewal for Permanently Disabled Individuals

Position: Support

Status: In Senate FIN Hearing 3/26 at 1 p.m.; Testimony due today, 3/24 by 6 p.m. on the MGA Website

This bill would require the Maryland Transit Administration to automatically renew the Disability Reduced Fare Program certification of an enrollee who is permanently disabled. Currently, people with IDD (considered a permanent disability) have to renew their Disability Reduced Fair Program authorizations every 3 years. This bill makes it so that people do not have to go through a lengthy renewal process for a condition that is considered, by medical professionals, to be permanent.

The bill previously passed in the House. You can sign up today to submit testimony on the MGA website.

HB1204 - Public and Nonpublic Schools - Student Elopement - Notice and Reporting Requirements (Ace's Law)

Position: Support

Status: In Senate EEE Hearing 3/27 at 1 PM; Testimony due tomorrow, 3/25 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the MGA Website

This bill would require schools to notify a parent or guardian if a student attempts or accomplishes an elopement from school (wandering away) without permission. Currently, schools are not compelled to notify a parent on the day that their child has eloped, or attempted elopement from school. This bill would ensure parents are aware of possible dangers and behaviors of their children for intervention.

The bill previously passed in the House. You can sign up to submit testimony tomorow on the MGA website.

HB0317 - Election Law - Curbside Voting - Pilot Program

Position: Support

Status: In Senate EEE Hearing 3/27 at 1 p.m.; Testimony due tomorrow, 3/25 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the MGA Website

This bill establishes a Curbside Voting Pilot Program to test the viability of curbside voting in Maryland. This would primarily be for voters with disabilities and elderly voters. The State Board would have to report findings from the Pilot Program to the General Assembly by September 1, 2029.

The bill previously passed in the House. You can sign up to submit testimony tomorrow on the MGA website.

HB0618 - Vehicle Laws - Licenses, Identification Cards, and Moped Operator's Permits - Notation of Nonapparent Disability (Eric's ID Law)

Position: Support

Status: In House E&T Hearing 3/27 at 1 PM; Testimony due tomorrow, 3/25 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the MGA Website

This bill would require that state-issued IDs/Licenses allow an applicant to choose to indicate if they have a nonapparent disability. If the person wants, the MVA will include a notation of a nonapparent disability on that ID Card. It would also require the immediate implementation of law enforcement training concerning interactions with persons with nonapparent disabilities.

The bill previously passed in the House. You can sign up to submit testimony tomorrow on the MGA website.

The Arc Maryland Celebrates World Down Syndrome Day in Annapolis

Last Friday, March 21st, the Maryland Down Syndrome Coalition held a World Down Syndrome Day Celebration. Over 130 people joined together in Annapolis to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day! This year’s theme, "I Am Valuable. Invest in Me!" emphasized the importance of recognizing the worth, potential, and contributions of individuals with Down syndrome as we advocate to protect and sustain critical disability funding. Our day kicked off with proclamations from the House and Senate declaring March 21st Down Syndrome Day in Maryland. That was followed by a powerful rally at Lawyers Mall, where self-advocates and allies shared their stories. The day finished off with another proclamation from the Governor, music, snacks, and plenty of dancing! Thank you to everyone who made this year's celebration one for the ages.

The Arc Maryland Annual Awards: We Are Now Taking Nominations For Statewide Honors!

Do you know someone who is Opening Doors through their advocacy and work to support people with IDD? We want to hear about it! Our Awards Program recognizes those who are making outstanding contributions to the fabric of our communities! During our 2025 Convention & Awards Banquet on May 29th, we will honor awardees and celebrate their achievements alongside representatives of the community that they so greatly impact. Submit your nominations by April 9th!