Stay up to date on legislation through our Bill Tracker! View position statements, access bill text, and check hearing times and dates. Bills that have passed through the House or Senate or been withdrawn are all noted!

Today, March 18th marks an important day in the Legislative Session known as Crossover Day. By the end of Crossover Day, it is observed as a courtesy to the second chamber that bills must pass through their initial chamber (the House or Senate). While it is possible for a bill to move late, Crossover Day marks the best chance for a bill to make it through the entire path to passage during the session.

For further guidance, you can check out this helpful guide from MGALeg.

Many of our priority bills have already passed through their first chambers intact or with some amendments. We will continue to advocate for their passage, and hope you will take these last few weeks of session to do the same!

Budget Updates

The Senate and the House are approaching the budget and planning for revenue shortfalls in very different ways. Democrats in the House are pushing for the acceptance of a nearly $1.2 billion revenue-generation package they say will help fund the Blueprint for Maryland's Future (education funding) and also address a projected multi-billion dollar shortfall in the state’s Transportation Trust Fund, highlighted by Governor Moore early in the session. The plan was introduced last week by House Speaker Adrienne Jones, but Senate President Bill Ferguson has already communicated that the Senate will reject calls for new gaming fees or sweeping tax increases.

The Senate B&T Committee finalized its version of the budget earlier last week, which includes actions for balance transfers, about $800 million in one-time cash, tapping into the state’s rainy day fund, and accessing funds from an account used to offset economic volatility. Senate leadership has said their version of the budget will ensure there is enough funding for education in the FY2025 and 2026 budgets (and part of 2027) while we look at other options for our year revenue generation or employ other budget management strategies.

In continuing good news, the funding for DDA services has remained intact in both the Senate and House versions of the budget bill. Your continued advocacy will be very helpful as we enter the home stretch in budget finalization. The differences between the House and Senate Budget plans will need to be resolved by April 1st.

Key Legislative Updates As We Head Into Crossover Day

There has been a lot of activity over the past week as bills have come out of committee and have been sent to the House and Senate floors. You can check out this activity through our bill tracker here but you can read about some of the notable developments below.

HB0822: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Employed Individuals With Disabilities - Unfortunately, the provision of the bill which would have removed the age cap of 65 years old was stricken through amendment, but the House worked to address the "marriage penalty" of being enrolled in the EID program. Click the bill number to see the full bill text as amended.

HB0195: Public Safety - Missing Persons With Cognitive Impairment - Purple Alert Program - This bill is moving with amendments adding people with "mental disorders" and "deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or late deafened" individuals to the alert system criteria and added that (3) the Department of State Police may consult with relevant stakeholders representing citizens with disabilities to develop regulations and procedures to carry out this section.

SB0202: Department of Aging- Caregiver Expense Grant Program - Established - The bill was changed to become a grant program for eligible family members to access.

HB0167: Public Schools - Student Health - Certificate of Dental Health - The bill title and purpose changed from requiring families to provide evidence of dental assessments to schools for student attendance, to a bill requiring information and resources on affordable dental care be provided to families!

SB0796: Maryland Disability Service Animal Program - Established - This legislation is moving to expand opportunities for people to access affordable support through a service animal.

Legislation that Has Not Yet Moved

While there have been some notable bills passed through the House and Senate this session so far, there have also been bills that failed to crossover and we are uncertain of their future. If they do not crossover today, they will not advance this Legislative Session. Stay tuned for updates!

HB0509/SB0599: Developmental Disabilities - Community Providers - Federal Participation for Local Funds - There were concerns with how, when operationalized, this would impact counties across Maryland and their rates. We do not believe this will go forward this year, as more studies may be needed.

HB0525/SB0513: Employment Discrimination – Use of Cannabis Products - This bill would have prohibited employers from discriminating against employees because of their use of cannabis. People who work in our field have to be able to provide quality, safe, reliable care to vulnerable adults.

SB1096: Vehicle Laws - Licenses, Identification Cards, and Moped Operator's Permits - Identification of Nonapparent Disability - This legislation would have given people the option to indicate on their ID card if they had a nonapparent disability.

HB0359 - Petition for Guardianship of the Property of Alleged Disabled Person - Stay of Civil Actions and Proceedings

Position: Support

Current Status: In Senate JPR Hearing 3/21 at 1 PM (Passed in House 136-0); Testimony Due Wednesday, 3/20 by 6 PM through the MGALeg Website.

This bill would require an automatic stay of certain civil actions or proceedings on the filing of a petition for guardianship of the property of an alleged disabled person. It would also require, in the serving of process (such as notice of a claim) for certain civil actions against an alleged disabled person, the temporary or permanent guardian of the property of the disabled person to be served. This includes protections for the filing of a petition for a change in guardianship.

HB0903/SB0797 - Education - Access to Attorneys, Advocates, and Consultants for Special Education Program and Fund - Established

Position: Support

Current Status: HB0903 In Senate EEE First Reading (Passed In House 136-2)

SB0797 In Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments

This bill would establish the Access to Attorneys, Advocates, and Consultants for Special Education Program. The program would provide funding for resources and services to eligible students with disabilities and their families who need legal, advocacy, and consultant services. Many families need and want advocacy support as they navigate the special education process for their children. Having support and assistance helps parents advocate for their children and increases the likelihood that issues will be resolved at the meeting table rather than in a hearing. Few free and low-cost legal options are available for families. By allowing low and lower-income families to access assistance, more families will be able to get the advice, support, and representation that other families are able to secure on their own, and will be better able to address difficult issues with their child’s education program team.

The Arc Maryland and our World Down Syndrome Day Coalition Partners joined in Annapolis last week to deliver information packets and mismatched socks to all members of the General Assembly and the Governor! We are looking forward to celebrating WDSD together on March 21 at the St. Anne's Parish House and Hall, and recognizing Marylanders with Down syndrome who are making a difference in their communities! Although the in-person event is sold out, we hope you will celebrate with us by wearing your mismatched socks on 3/21, tagging, and using #WDSD2024!

Join us in Annapolis for food, music, dancing, and to hear from self-advocates, as we celebrate Autism Acceptance Day on April 2nd! Register for the free event and get more info at https://pathfindersforautism.org/autismdayinannapolis/

Nominations for The Arc Maryland's Statewide Awards Are Open!

Let's celebrate those who are making outstanding contributions to the fabric of our communities! Each year, The Arc Maryland Awards Program recognizes those individuals, groups, and communities whose contributions to the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) represent meritorious service or achievement and warrant special statewide recognition.

We know you know someone who is Leading the Way in their advocacy and work to support people with IDD! We want to hear about it! Submit your Nomination Form by April 3rd below. Contact Sharon Dols at sdols@thearcmd.org if you have any questions about the awards or nomination form. For help filling out the nomination form, please contact Natalie Dohner at ndohner@thearcmd.org.

Registration Is Open for The Arc Maryland Statewide Convention & Awards Banquet

May 30th

Mark your calendars for May 30th! Our Convention & Awards Banquet is back once again at Turf Valley Resort in Howard County! This year's theme is Leading the Way. Full-day tickets to the event are now available, with lunch-only and add-ons set to release soon.

Want to highlight your support at the event? Sponsor, Exhibitor, and Advertiser opportunities are also available to showcase your business or organization for an anticipated 300 self-advocate, family member, professional, legislative leader, and partner affiliate attendees!

Tuesday, March 19th at 1:00 PM in House HGO

• SB0088 - Maryland Commission on Veterans and Military Families
• SB0252 - Public Safety - 9-1-1 Trust Fund - Alterations

Wednesday, March 20th at 1:00 PM in House HGO

• SB0033 - More Opportunities for Career–Focused Students Act of 2024
• SB0180 - Public and Nonpublic Schools - Auto-Injectable Epinephrine and Bronchodilators - Use, Availability, Training, and Policies
• SB0197 - Residential Service Agencies - Reimbursement - Personal Assistance Services
• SB0212 - Behavioral Health Advisory Council and Commission on Behavioral Health Care Treatment and Access - Alterations
• SB0226 - Human Services - Attendant Care Program - Ongoing Additional Supports

Wednesday, March 20th at 1:00 PM in House APP

• SB0859 - State Department of Education - Division of Rehabilitation Services - Funding

Wednesday, March 20th at 1:00 PM in House E&T

• SB0070 - Transportation - Change in Bus Service - Impacts Report
• HB1507 - Transportation - Change in Bus Service - Impacts Report

Wednesday, March 20th at 1:00 PM in House W&M

• SB0180 - Public and Nonpublic Schools - Auto-Injectable Epinephrine and Bronchodilators - Use, Availability, Training, and Policies

Wednesday, March 20th at 1:00 PM in Senate EEE

• HB0060 - Rehabilitation Services - Disability - Definition

Wednesday, March 20th at 1:00 PM in Senate FIN

• HB0189 - Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Provider Agencies and Personal Care Aides - Reimbursement and Wage Reports (Homecare Workers Employment Act of 2024)

Thursday, March 21st at 1:00 PM in Senate JPR

• HB0137 - Civil Actions - Civil Immunity - Educator Intervention
• HB0359 - Petition for Guardianship of the Property of Alleged Disabled Person - Stay of Civil Actions and Proceedings
• HB0432 - Courts and Judicial Proceedings and Criminal Procedure - Technical Corrections - References to Intellectual Disability

Tuesday, March 26th at 1:00 PM in House W&M

• SB0495 - Maryland Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Program - Materials for Individualized Education Program, Individualized Family Service Plan, and 504 Plan Meetings

Wednesday, March 27th at 1:00 PM in House W&M

• SB0419 - Therapeutic Child Care Grant Program - Funding - Alterations
• SB0592 - Maryland Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Program - Materials for Individualized Education Program, Individualized Family Service Plan, and 504 Plan Meetings

Thursday, March 28th at 1:00 PM in House HGO

• SB0825 - Health Facilities – Delegation of Inspection Authority – Related Institutions and Nursing Homes

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