Maryland Protecting People With Disabilities Act - Eligibility Determinations
Summary
Maryland Senate Bill 742, the Maryland Protecting People With Disabilities Act, passed the Senate 42-0 on March 23, 2026, and the House on April 8, 2026. The bill repeals the 90-day time limit for individuals receiving Developmental Disabilities Administration services to appeal eligibility denials, prohibits procedural disenrollment from Medicaid or home- and community-based services, and establishes 60-day eligibility determination timelines for the Maryland Medical Assistance Program.
What changed
SB742, the Maryland Protecting People With Disabilities Act, fundamentally reshapes eligibility determination procedures under the Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Developmental Disabilities Administration. Key provisions include the repeal of the 90-day deadline for individuals to appeal loss of eligibility for services, a prohibition on procedural disenrollment from Medicaid or home- and community-based services absent specified circumstances, and a mandate that eligibility determinations be completed within 60 days. The bill passed both chambers with amendments and awaits gubernatorial action.
For Maryland healthcare providers, social service organizations, and disability service agencies, this legislation removes procedural barriers that previously caused eligible individuals to lose coverage due to administrative deadlines. The prohibition on procedural disenrollment means fewer involuntary service interruptions, potentially increasing demand for HCBS programs. State agencies must implement new timelines and documentation procedures. Patients with disabilities gain stronger procedural protections against coverage loss, making the appeal process more accessible regardless of when a denial occurs.
What to do next
- Healthcare providers delivering home and community-based services should review new eligibility determination procedures
- State agencies administering Maryland Medical Assistance Program should prepare for 60-day determination timelines
- Patients and advocates should be aware that the 90-day appeal deadline for eligibility losses is eliminated
Archived snapshot
Apr 8, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
ChangeBridge / Maryland / SB742 Passed SB742 Senate Bill Passed 2026-03-23
Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Developmental Disabilities Administration - Home- and Community-Based Services Eligibility Determinations (Maryland Protecting People With Disabilities Act)
Repealing the 90-day time limit within which an individual receiving services from the Developmental Disabilities Administration must appeal a loss of eligibility for services; establishing requirements related to eligibility determinations and redeterminations under the Maryland Medical Assistance Program; prohibiting the Department from procedurally disenrolling individuals from the Program or home- and community-based services solely on a certain basis except under certain circumstances; etc.
Bill Details
State Maryland
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber Senate
Official Source mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation...
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Sponsors
Guy Guzzone (Sen - D) Craig Zucker (Sen - D)
Action History
2026-04-08 H Motion Special Order until 04/09 (Delegate Bagnall) Adopted 2026-04-08 H Favorable with Amendments {313922/1 Adopted 2026-04-08 H Favorable with Amendments Report by Health 2026-03-24 H Hearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m. 2026-03-24 H Referred Health 2026-03-23 S Third Reading Passed (42-0) 2026-03-23 S Second Reading Passed with Amendments 2026-03-23 S Favorable with Amendments {783825/1 Adopted 2026-03-23 S Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance 2026-02-12 S Hearing 3/03 at 1:00 p.m. 2026-02-06 S First Reading Finance
Votes
2026-03-23 Third Reading Passed Yea: 42 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2026-02-06 S Finance 2026-03-24 H Health
Amendments
2026-03-23 Favorable with Amendments 783825/1 Adopted Adopted 2026-04-08 Favorable with Amendments 313922/1 Adopted Adopted
Bill Text Versions
2026-02-10 Introduced 2026-03-23 Engrossed
Subjects
Public Health Accessibility - see also- Blind; Deaf; Disabilities; etc Administrative Agencies Civil Rights and Social Equity Cognitive Disabilities Data Developmental Disabilities Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Federal Aid Federal Government Health, Department of Home Care Services Language Long-Term Care Medical Assistance Reports Signatures Termination of Services Time Vulnerable Adults Electronic Government internet Sunset Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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