(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b) “Advisory Group” means the Maryland Interested Parties Advisory Group established under § 15-1202 of this subtitle and required under 42 C.F.R. § 447.203.
(c) “Applicable service categories” means homemaker services, home health aide services, personal care services, and habilitation services.
(d) “Consumer” means an applicant for, a recipient of, or an individual eligible for Medicaid home- and community-based services, or the individual’s authorized representative.
(e) “Consumer organization” means a State or local consumer advocacy group or other community-based organization that represents the interests of, or provides direct services to, consumers of Medicaid home- and community-based services.
(f) “Direct care worker” means an individual:
(1) Employed by a Medicaid provider, State agency, or third party;
(2) Who contracts with a Medicaid provider, State agency, or third party;
(3) Delivering services under a self-directed services delivery model; or
(4) Who is paid to provide home- and community-based services through an applicable service category.
(g) “Home- and community-based services” means Medicaid home- and community-based services delivered through the State plan, a waiver under § 1915(c) of the federal Social Security Act, a managed care program, or other demonstration program.
(h) “Personal care” has the meaning stated under § 19-301 of this article.
(i) “Provider association” means a trade association that represents direct care employers.
(j) “Worker organization” means an organization that:
(1) Is exempt from federal income taxation under §§ 501(c)(3) through (6) of the Internal Revenue Code;
(2) Is not dominated, controlled, or funded by a direct care employer; and
(3) Has at least 2 years of demonstrated experience engaging with and advocating for direct care workers.