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MarylandSB 07422026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Developmental Disabilities Administration - Home- and Community-Based Services Eligibility Determinations (Maryland Protecting People With Disabilities Act)

Sponsored By: Guy Guzzone (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Public HealthAccessibility - see also- Blind; Deaf; Disabilities; etcAdministrative AgenciesCivil Rights and Social EquityCognitive DisabilitiesData -see also- Census; DemographicsDevelopmental DisabilitiesDisabilitiesDiversity, Equity, and InclusionElectronic CommunicationElectronic GovernmentFederal Aid -see also- CARES ActFederal GovernmentHealth, Department ofHome Care Services -see also- Respite CareInternet -see also- Internet AccessLanguage -see also- Communications; LiteracyLong-Term Care -see also- Continuing Care; Nursing HomesMedical AssistanceReportsSignaturesSunsetTermination of ServicesTimeVulnerable Adults -see also- DevDisab; EldPers; PhysDisab

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Faster Medicaid home-care decisions and tracking

Starting October 1, 2026, the Department must decide applications within 45 days, or 90 days if a disability decision is needed. By January 1, 2027, and every quarter until September 30, 2029, it posts reports on renewals, ex parte renewals, reinstatements, terminations, and processing times. When someone is sent a loss notice, DDA providers are notified. Providers can exchange data automatically with the State’s LTSS system through an API. The law also defines ex parte redetermination, home‑ and community‑based services, and procedural disenrollment.

Stronger safeguards for Medicaid HCBS users

Beginning October 1, 2026, if you appeal a Medicaid loss on time, your Developmental Disabilities Administration services continue until a decision. The Department must try ex parte checks and give clear, specific notices and time to respond before ending coverage for paperwork issues. If your eligibility file is incomplete, HCBS and other program services continue until all due‑process steps finish. If the State’s delay caused a procedural disenrollment after you returned required info, it must reinstate you retroactive to the day you lost coverage. Any improper disenrollment must be undone automatically, and you are treated as continuously enrolled.

Easier return to developmental disability waivers

Subject to federal approval, the State reserves some 1915(c) waiver slots for people with developmental disabilities who were disenrolled on or after January 1, 2024, had eligibility reinstated, and asked to reinstate waiver services. Starting October 1, 2026, the Department cannot put you on a waiver waiting list or make you reapply if your disenrollment was caused by a Department delay or error.

Plain‑language, free help with Medicaid notices

Starting October 1, 2026, the Department gives eligibility and rights information in plain language and on time. On request, it provides information in paper, electronic, and oral formats. If you have limited English or a disability, it must provide free interpretation, translations, and auxiliary aids, plus non‑English taglines on how to get help.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Guy Guzzone

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Craig J. Zucker

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 221 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 47 • No: 0

House vote • 4/10/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 132 • No: 1 • Other: 8

Senate vote • 3/23/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 175

    4/28/2026

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/13/2026Senate

  3. Third Reading Passed (47-0)

    4/13/2026Senate

  4. Senate Concurs House Amendments

    4/13/2026Senate

  5. Third Reading Passed (132-1)

    4/10/2026House

  6. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/9/2026House

  7. Motion Special Order until 04/09 (Delegate Bagnall) Adopted

    4/8/2026House

  8. Favorable with Amendments {313922/1 Adopted

    4/8/2026House

  9. Favorable with Amendments Report by Health

    4/8/2026House

  10. Hearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m.

    3/24/2026House

  11. Referred Health

    3/24/2026House

  12. Third Reading Passed (42-0)

    3/23/2026Senate

  13. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/23/2026Senate

  14. Favorable with Amendments {783825/1 Adopted

    3/23/2026Senate

  15. Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

    3/23/2026Senate

  16. Hearing 3/03 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/12/2026Senate

  17. First Reading Finance

    2/6/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/13/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/23/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    2/6/2026

    PDF

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