MDOA had a very successful 2025 legislative session, despite facing structural budget challenges and the significant impact of a new federal administration on policy priorities and funding.
Key Achievements
MDOA-Sponsored Bills:
Three bills streamlined and restructured existing programs to more efficiently and effectively expand reach to better serve a greater number of older adults with the same resources.
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HB36,
SB212 - Supporting Older Adults with Resources (SOAR): Consolidates and restructures three existing state-funded programs supporting older adults in their communities efficiently and effectively.
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HB158,
SB223 - Senior Call Check and Social Connections Program: Expands the communications methods used to check in on the well-being of Senior Call Check program participants to enhance its value, increase enrollment, and reduce social isolation.
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HB538,
SB445 - Federal Commodities Supplemental Food Program: Transfers the responsibility of program administration to the Department of Human Services to better align with existing state resources.
MDOA-Supported Bills:
Four priority bills closely aligned with Longevity Ready Maryland's (LRM's) Epic Goals:
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HB246,
SB205 -
Adult Protective Service Disclosures: Common-sense updates to Adult Protective Services investigations to improve operational impact on Maryland’s Area Agencies on Aging.
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LRM Epic Goal Alignment 1.2 Build a Longevity-Ecosystem: Objective 2: Enhance multi-disciplinary prevention and response policies for elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation across state agencies.
HB286,
SB266 -
Modernizing Comprehensive Planning Principles: Creating affordable housing options for all ages by streamlining processes, promoting mixed-use housing, and prioritizing affordable, reliable, and energy-efficient transportation to keep older adults more engaged, connected, and independent.
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LRM Epic Goal Alignment 3.1 Prepare Marylanders to Afford Longevity: Objective 1: Improve access to affordable, accessible housing options that support aging in place.
HB502 -
Support for Employment and Job Training for Marylanders with Disabilities: Policies to connect Marylanders with disabilities with good-paying jobs.
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LRM Epic Goal Alignment 2.3 Promoting Economic Opportunity: Objective 3: Increase the number of Maryland employers that promote sustainable career opportunities using age-inclusive policies and practices.
HB1004,
SB748 -
Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD): Information on the prevalence and treatment of ADRD, and the establishment and outcomes of outreach of related data.
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LRM Epic Goal Alignment 4.1 Optimize Health, Wellness and Mobility: Objective 1: Improve equitable access to holistic health care that addresses physical, behavioral, emotional, and cognitive health.
Additional MDOA-supported bills that support LRM:
- (HB1466) Support for the creation of more accessory dwelling units
- (HB933) Enhancements to analysis and use of nursing home cost reports
- (SB684, HB1100) Creation of a health indicators dashboard
- (HB1478) Report on the establishment of a home health care providers directory
- (HB1142) Creation of a standing group to elevate the voices of direct care workers in home- and community-based settings
- (SB776/HB995) Creation of a standing group to study the rise in adverse decisions in health care
- (HB718) Creation of a standing group to focus on protecting health insurance coverage