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The Arc Maryland's Weekly Legislative Update
February 26 to March 1, 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. | | |
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DD Day 2024 Makes Waves in Annapolis
Last Wednesday, over 700 advocates, family members, providers, community members, legislators, and even the Governor joined together in Annapolis for Developmental Disabilities Day at the Legislature! Attendees heard from legislative leaders, learned about important advocacy topics, and met with their representatives to discuss them.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in person and online for this powerful day of advocacy. You can check out the event recording, photos, and fact sheets below if you missed out!
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Bill Hearings in Annapolis
Outside of DD Day, last week featured key hearings in the House and Senate, including the DDA's FY25 Budget (SB0360/HB0350). Advocates provided crucial testimony to committee leadership on the importance of the 3% Rate Increase, funding for transitioning youth, Waiting Lists, LISS, and more!
A major topic of the DDA hearings was the Medicaid Eligibility Redetermination Process. Many individuals in our DDA waivers have lost their eligibility for a variety of reasons. Please check out the next section below for what you can do to check on your status, or notify someone if you have lost your Medicaid.
You can check out DDA Budget Highlights here.
The Arc Maryland Team and our partners also provided testimony on priority legislation, including Education - Access to Attorneys, Advocates, and Consultants for Special Education Program and Fund - Established (SB0797/HB0903). Check out our bill tracker for details on what this bill does!
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Medicaid Waiver Eligibility & Redeterminations - What Can You Do: Updated Contacts!
During the Covid pandemic, people were not required to reapply annually for Medicaid. The goal of the state was to ensure that people remained insured during the health emergency. When the public health emergency ended, this protection from loss of benefits also ended, and the Maryland Department of Health began a process of "Medicaid redeterminations." In a phased process, the Department started to send out notices that a person needed to reapply, giving the person 45 days to complete the paperwork and submit it for Medicaid eligibility redetermination.
The problem is that some people are reporting that they never received their redetermination paperwork and are finding out they have lost their Medicaid at the point they try to access a health service, like a dental or doctor's appointment. Providers are also finding out that a person they support has lost their Medicaid at the point they go to bill for the service they provided.
We are working with the Department to share information and, hopefully, develop a collaborative and timely solution together.
In the meantime, here are some things you can do:
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Check your Medicaid status as soon as possible. Reach out to your Coordinators of Community Services (CCS) for assistance to find out when you need to redetermine your eligibility and complete the necessary paperwork.
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If you are a provider, check the eligibility of the people you support through the EVS.
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Check your mail - you would not have received a redetermination request over the past three years and may not have expected to complete this form but many participants should have received a form by this point in the process. It is important that you do not miss this form when it comes in the mail and that you respond by the deadline.
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If you receive a termination notice, appeal it within ten days of the date of the letter to continue coverage and services through the appeal. This is VERY important to ensure there are no interruptions in service. Reach out to your CCS or provider for assistance. If you miss the 10-day window, you should still file an appeal as soon as possible.
Providers and CCS, please also reach out to the Eligibility Determination Division (EDD) Medicaid Teams as noted below:
If providers need any further assistance, please contact your Regional Office.
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SB1096 - Vehicle Laws - Licenses, Identification Cards, and Moped Operator's Permits - Identification of Nonapparent Disability
Position: Evaluating
Current Status: In Senate JPR Hearing 3/5 at 1 PM. Testimony is due by 6 PM on 3/4 through the MGA website.
This bill would require that an application for a license, an identification card, or a moped operator's permit allow an applicant to indicate the applicant's nonapparent disability; and would require the Motor Vehicle Administration to ensure that the license, identification card, or moped operator's permit of an applicant who indicates that the applicant has a nonapparent disability includes an "ND" notation.
We understand why some individuals with nonapparent disabilities and some families may want this option for themselves or their loved ones. We are considering a letter of information or support with amendments position to require the bill to include a requirement for police training on what to do when presented with an ID that has the "ND" notation, and funding for the Ethan Saylor Alliance for advocates as police trainers. We would also like to see a requirement that the MVA must update their systems to ensure the information that is put into the system of a child will be purged at the age of majority (unless the adult advocate puts the information back in the system, exercising their choice to be identified as a person with an ND) and assurances the designation on the ID or in the system will not trigger a requirement for a medical review of ability to drive.
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SB0817 - Public Safety - Missing Persons With Cognitive Impairment - Purple Alert Program
Position: Letter of Information
Current Status: In Senate JPR Hearing on 2/28 at 1 PM. Testimony is due today, 2/26, by 6 PM through the MGA website.
The existing Silver Alert Program (Article- Public Safety § 3-604) defines a missing person as an individual: (i) whose whereabouts are unknown; (ii) who suffers a cognitive impairment, including a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia to the extent that the individual requires assistance from a caregiver; and (iii) whose disappearance poses a credible threat to the health and safety of the individual due to age, health, mental or physical disability, environment, or weather conditions, as determined by a law enforcement agency.
Page 2, line 17 of SB0817, states that the Purple Alert will apply to a person who meets certain conditions, including (IV) who does not meet the criteria for activation of a Silver Alert under § 3–604 of this subtitle.
As the Silver Alert Program definitions include people with cognitive impairments, such as individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and people with Developmental Disabilities with a cognitive impairment, the goal of SB0817 may already be achievable through the existing Silver Alert Program.
Our intent is to improve outcomes when someone goes missing in Maryland. We believe this could be accomplished through clarifying and strengthening the established Silver Alert Program, and reviewing regulations to ensure they are accurate and include people of all ages with cognitive impairments. That was the intent of the Silver Alert legislation passed in 2009, and our understanding of what is done in practice. We have shared our feedback with the sponsors.
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HB1163 - State Department of Education - Division of Rehabilitation Services - Funding
Position: Support
Current Status: In House APP Hearing 3/5 at 1 PM. Testimony is due by 6 PM on Friday, 3/1, through the MGA website.
This bill would authorize the Governor to include, in the annual budget bill, a certain appropriation to the Division of Rehabilitation Services in the State Department of Education to ensure the State match amount for the Division is met as required by certain federal acts.
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Registration Is Now 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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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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HEARING SCHEDULE
Please See the Bill Tracker for Our Positions on These Bills
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Monday, February 26th at 11:00 AM in House W&M
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HB1441 - Early Childhood Education - Publicly Funded Prekindergarten Programs - Alterations
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Tuesday, February 27th at 12:00 PM in House APP
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HB1336 - Public Schools - Appropriations for School Safety Expenditures - School Security Employees
Tuesday, February 27th at 1:00 PM in House W&M
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HB1342 - Elections – Ballot Questions – Publication of Proposed Laws and Plain Language Summary
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HB1343 - Election Law - Petitions and Ballot Questions - Plain Language Requirement
Tuesday, February 27th at 1:00 PM in Senate JPR
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SB0729 - Security Guards – Use of Force Reporting – Health Care–Related Physical Interventions
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SB0817 - Public Safety - Missing Persons With Cognitive Impairment - Purple Alert Program
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Wednesday, February 28th at 1:00 PM in House APP
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HB0352 - Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2024
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HB0902 - Prekindergarten - Ulysses Currie Head Start Program - Eligibility for State Funds
Wednesday, February 28th at 1:00 PM in House E&T
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HB1147 - Environment - Playground Surfacing Materials - Prohibitions
Wednesday, February 28th at 1:00 PM in House HGO
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HB0784 - Task Force on Reducing Emergency Department Wait Times
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HB1143 - Emergency Medical Services - Maryland Emergency Department Wait Time Reduction Commission and Standardized Protocols - Establishment
Wednesday, February 28th at 1:00 PM in House W&M
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HB1237 - State Department of Education - Task Force to Study the Maryland Online IEP System
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HB1317 - Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Use of Reimbursement Funds by Schools
Wednesday, February 28th at 1:00 PM in Senate B&T
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SB1077 - Public Schools - Appropriations for School Safety Expenditures - School Security Employees
Wednesday, February 28th at 1:00 PM in Senate EEE
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SB0512 - Education - Prohibited Behavior on School Grounds and Property - Application
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SB0756 - Primary and Secondary Education - School Safety and Student Well-Being - Examination of Policies and Funding
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SB0819 - Public Schools - School Resource Officers - Firearms Required
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Thursday, February 29th at 1:00 PM in House E&T
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HB1199 - Transportation - MobilityLink Paratransit Service Improvements - Study
Thursday, February 29th at 1:00 PM in Senate B&T
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SB0362 - Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2024
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Friday, March 1st at 1:00 PM in House HGO
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HB1176 - Home– and Community–Based Services Waiver – Eligibility
Friday, March 1st at 1:00 PM in Senate FIN
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SB0825 - Health Facilities – Delegation of Inspection Authority – Related Institutions and Nursing Homes
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SB0863 - Office of the Attorney General - Rights of Residents of Health Care Facilities - Injunctive Relief and Penalties
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Tuesday, March 5th at 12:00 PM in House APP
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HB1163 - State Department of Education - Division of Rehabilitation Services - Funding
Tuesday, March 5th at 1:00 PM in House HGO
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HB0981 - Maryland Department of Disabilities - Individuals With Limited English Proficiency - Access to Public Services
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HB0987 - State Government - Equal Access to Public Services for Individuals With Limited English Proficiency - Modifications
Tuesday, March 5th at 1:00 PM in Senate JPR
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SB0927 - Criminal Law – Crime of Violence – Second Degree Assault of a School Employee or Subcontractor (School Assault Reduction and Prevention Act)
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SB1096 - Vehicle Laws - Licenses, Identification Cards, and Moped Operator's Permits - Identification of Nonapparent Disability
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Wednesday, March 6th at 1:00 PM in House APP
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HB0675 - Primary and Secondary Education - Education Savings Account Program - Established (Maryland Universal School Choice Act)
Wednesday, March 6th at 1:00 PM in House EMC
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HB1277 - Security Guards – Use of Force Reporting – Health Care–Related Physical Interventions
Wednesday, March 6th at 1:00 PM in House HGO
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HB0822 - Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Employed Individuals With Disabilities
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HB1048 - Behavioral Health Advisory Council and Commission on Behavioral Health Care Treatment and Access - Alterations
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Thursday, March 7th at 1:00 PM in Senate JPR
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SB1031 - Civil Actions - Lead Poisoning - Liability and Statute of Limitations (Maryland Lead Poisoning Compensation Act)
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Friday, March 8th at 1:00 PM in Senate FIN
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SB0866 - Health - Small Halfway Houses and Small Private Group Homes - County Zoning
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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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