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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 AgenciesAmericans with Disabilities ActCivil 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

5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Stronger protections to keep disability services

Starting October 1, 2026, if you get DDA services and appeal a Medicaid loss on time, your services stay in place until the appeal ends. The Department cannot drop you just for missing papers unless it first tries data checks, sends a clear notice, and gives you time to respond. If the Department breaks these rules or delays your renewal after you returned forms on time, it must reinstate you and backdate coverage to when you were dropped. You also keep the right to appeal a loss of eligibility.

Faster Medicaid decisions and data checks

Starting October 1, 2026, the Department must decide eligibility within 45 days (no disability review) or 90 days (with a disability review). It must also use data it already has to renew coverage before asking you for paperwork. These steps speed up decisions and reduce paperwork-based terminations.

Plain-language help and free interpreters

Starting October 1, 2026, the Department provides plain-language information about eligibility, services, and your rights in electronic, paper, and, when needed, oral formats. People with limited English get free interpreters and translations. People with disabilities get free auxiliary aids. Notices include taglines in other languages on how to get help.

Waiver slots saved for reinstated people

Starting October 1, 2026, and with federal approval, the Department reserves home- and community-based waiver slots for people with developmental disabilities who were disenrolled on or after January 1, 2024, later regain eligibility, and ask for waiver services.

Providers get notices and data access

Starting October 1, 2026, the Department notifies your DDA providers at the same time it tells you about a loss of eligibility. Providers and coordinators can also exchange data automatically with the state’s long-term services system through an API. This helps keep care plans on track.

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: 6

Senate vote • 3/23/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 2

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

  • Enacted

    4/28/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/13/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/23/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    2/6/2026

    PDF

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