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MarylandHB 10152026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Developmental Disabilities Services - Expedited Eligibility Determinations for Recently Relocated Individuals (Ralph's Act)

Sponsored By: Jared Solomon (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Public HealthAdministrative AgenciesApplicants and ApplicationsDeath -see also- Homicide; Murder; Wrongful DeathDependents -see also- Minors; Vulnerable AdultsDevelopmental DisabilitiesEmergencies -see also- PandemicsHealth, Department ofHome Care Services -see also- Respite CareInterstate AffairsKinship -see also- Parents and GuardiansMedical TreatmentsPublic Benefits -see also- Housing; MedAsst; SupplNutrAsstPResidency -see also- Immigrants and CitizenshipTimeWaivers

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Priority spot for services after approval

Beginning July 1, 2027, if you are found eligible under the expedited process, the Department places you in the Crisis Resolution category. You also get access to waiver services through the reserve category that best matches what you received in your prior state. This helps you start home- and community-based services faster.

Faster disability services for relocating families

Beginning July 1, 2027, Maryland fast-tracks eligibility checks for developmental disability services, like the Community Pathways Waiver. You qualify if you are a dependent who moved to Maryland to live with an immediate family member after your prior caregiver died or became incapacitated. The family member must have lived in Maryland for the past 2 years. You must have received home- and community-based waiver or similar services in another state within the last 10 years. The Department prioritizes complete applications and finishes the decision within 60 business days. It may decide your disability status and priority even before you establish residency, and it can use records from your prior state. The Department cannot waive the core eligibility rules or the rules for setting service priority. Immediate family includes a spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling, child, and step-relatives.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jared Solomon

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Tiffany T. Alston

    Democratic • House

  • Heather Bagnall

    Democratic • House

  • Bonnie Cullison

    Democratic • House

  • Pam Lanman Guzzone

    Democratic • House

  • Terri L. Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Thomas S. Hutchinson

    Republican • House

  • Aaron M. Kaufman

    Democratic • House

  • Nicholaus R. Kipke

    Republican • House

  • Lesley J. Lopez

    Democratic • House

  • Matthew Morgan

    Republican • House

  • Ashanti Martinez

    Democratic • House

  • Teresa E. Reilly

    Republican • House

  • Samuel I. Rosenberg

    Democratic • House

  • Kim Ross

    Democratic • House

  • Emily Shetty

    Democratic • House

  • Kathy Szeliga

    Republican • House

  • Jennifer White Holland

    Democratic • House

  • Teresa Woorman

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 312 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/9/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 43 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 4/9/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 132 • No: 0 • Other: 4

House vote • 3/23/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 137 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 184

    4/28/2026

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/9/2026House

  3. Third Reading Passed (132-0)

    4/9/2026House

  4. House Concurs Senate Amendments

    4/9/2026House

  5. Third Reading Passed (43-0)

    4/9/2026Senate

  6. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/8/2026Senate

  7. Favorable with Amendments {833826/1 Adopted

    4/8/2026Senate

  8. Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

    4/8/2026Senate

  9. Referred Finance

    3/23/2026Senate

  10. Third Reading Passed (137-0)

    3/23/2026House

  11. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/23/2026House

  12. Favorable with Amendments {563220/1 Adopted

    3/23/2026House

  13. Favorable with Amendments Report by Health

    3/23/2026House

  14. Hearing 2/24 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/13/2026House

  15. First Reading Health

    2/6/2026House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    4/28/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/9/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/23/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    2/6/2026

    PDF

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