The Arc Maryland's Weekly Legislative Update
March 11 to 15, 2024
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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 Bills that have passed through the House or Senate or been withdrawn are all noted! | | |
TOP BILLS AND ACTION ALERTS THIS WEEK | |
SB0891 - Transportation - MobilityLink Paratransit Service Improvements - Study
Position: Support
Current Status: In Senate FIN Hearing 3/13 at 1 PM. Testimony is due tomorrow, on 3/12 by 6 PM through the MGA website.
This bill would require the Maryland Transportation Institute at the University of Maryland to conduct a study to identify methods to improve the Maryland Transit Administration's ADA MobilityLink paratransit service, including an appropriation of at least $150K for the study in the FY26 budget bill.
This will serve as an excellent starting point to reform MobilityLink and improve service for riders, as they experience inconsistent service, often falling far below comparable service levels. Late pick-ups and drop-offs, long trips, and lengthy wait times for customer service calls have detrimental implications for riders. If the bill passes, the study will compare MobilityLink to other paratransit entities around the country, examine whether contracting out staff is detrimental to service, considering paratransit workforce metrics, and conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the service, reliability, and finances. See the Action Alert from DRM below.
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SB0790 - Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Employed Individuals With Disabilities
Position: Support
Current Status: In Senate FIN Hearing 3/12 at 1 PM. Testimony is due today, 3/11, by 6 PM through the MGA website.
This bill would eliminate the upper age limit for the Employed Individuals with Disabilities (EID) Program. The EID Program extends Medical Assistance and health benefits to working Marylanders with disabilities. This program is also known as the “Medicaid Buy-In” program. It encourages people to work while being able to keep their health benefits for a small fee. A person participating in the EID program can make more money or have more resources in this program than other Medicaid programs in Maryland.
The age restriction must be eliminated to encourage people, who want to work, to continue to be active and contributing members of their communities. We believe the change will help Marylanders with IDD continue to work in gainful careers without jeopardizing their health coverage, which includes access to personal assistance supports many people need to work.
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Senate Budget and Tax Committee Passes the Budget Bill
Last Friday, the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee passed the budget bill with the 3% rate increase for DDA community providers, and expansion funding for Transitioning Youth, Waiting List, Emergencies, Housing, and Low Intensity Support Services.
Given the continued bad news about the State's economic forecast, this is really good news and signals our governments' prioritization of people with IDD and their families.
Soon the House Appropriations Committee will make their decisions on the budget. If there are any differences between the House and Senate budget bills passed, each chamber will appoint a few members to a Conference Committee to work out the differences.
Now would be a good time to reach out to members of the B&T Committee to thank them for supporting the DDA budget in their recent decision. In your messages, you can let the members know what this means to you and your family and encourage them to continue to protect IDD services in the budget as it moves toward final passage. Click on each name below for email links.
B&T Committee Members:
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Senator Guy Guzzone (Chair)
District 13
Howard County
Senator Jim Rosapepe (Vice Chair)
District 21
Prince George's and Anne Arundel Counties
Bailey, Jack
District 29
Calvert and St. Mary's Counties
Benson, Joanne C.
District 24
Prince George's County
Corderman, Paul D.
District 2
Washington and Frederick Counties
Elfreth, Sarah K.
District 30
Anne Arundel County
Hettleman, Shelly
District 11
Baltimore County
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Jackson, Michael A.
District 27
Prince George's, Charles and Calvert Counties
Jennings, J. B.
District 7
Baltimore and Harford Counties
King, Nancy J.
District 39
Montgomery County
McCray, Cory V.
District 45
Baltimore City
Salling, Johnny Ray
District 6
Baltimore County
Zucker, Craig J.
District 14
Montgomery County
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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.
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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? Sponsorship 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!
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The ADA and Spanish-Speaking Communities Webinars
March 12th and 14th
Join the ADA National Network for a webinar as they discuss the relationship between the Americans with Disabilities Act and Spanish-speaking communities. In this presentation, they will discuss the challenges faced by Spanish-speaking individuals in accessing information regarding disability and their civil rights. Presented in English on March 12th and in Spanish (en Espanol) on March 14th. Both presentations will be from 2 to 3:30 PM. Register through the buttons below!
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HEARING SCHEDULE
Please See the Bill Tracker for Our Positions on These Bills
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Tuesday, March 12th at 1:00 PM in Senate FIN
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SB0790 - Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Employed Individuals With Disabilities
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Wednesday, March 13th at 1:00 PM in House HGO
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HB0065 - Public Schools - Medical and Psychological Treatment in School-Based Health Centers and Public Schools - Parental Notice
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HB0790 - Medical Cannabis – Employees in Health Care Settings Caring for Qualifying Patients
Wednesday, March 13th at 1:00 PM in Senate FIN
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SB0891 - Transportation - MobilityLink Paratransit Service Improvements - Study
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Wednesday, March 20th at 1:00 PM in House HGO
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SB0033 - More Opportunities for Career–Focused Students Act of 2024
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SB0180 - Public and Nonpublic Schools - Auto-Injectable Epinephrine and Bronchodilators - Use, Availability, Training, and Policies
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Please Note: the following abbreviations identify the Legislative Committees in the Assembly: | |
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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