An official website of the State of Maryland.

Maryland.gov Translate

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Department of Aging

Legislation

Advocating for Policies that Support Older Adults and People with Disabilities in Maryland

The Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA) plays a critical role in shaping and advancing legislation that supports older adults and people with disabilities across the state. Working in partnership with lawmakers, community organizations, and advocates, the department helps elevate the needs and voices of Marylanders who rely on accessible services, long-term care supports, and protections that promote independence and quality of life. From championing policies that strengthen the caregiving workforce to expanding access to home- and community-based services, the department serves as both a resource and a driving force behind meaningful legislative change.

2026 Legislative Accomplishments

2026 Legislative Session by the Numbers

  • 3 of 3

    Priority Bills Passed
  • 100

    Relevant Bills Analyzed and Monitored Closely
  • 55

    Pieces of Testimony Delivered
  • 84%

    Bills that Reached Desired Outcome

MDOA Priority Bills Passed

  • HB278 and SB113: The Longevity Ready Maryland Act: This is a first of its kind legislation in the country, making Maryland a national leader. Growing out of years of stakeholder engagement and an Executive Order beginning this work at the Department of Aging, the Longevity Ready Maryland Act permanently embeds the Department of Aging’s Longevity Ready Planning approach into its work, expands the Commission on Aging’s membership and role, and requires public transparency and common-sense reporting and Plan updates.
  • HB804 and SB560: Aging Resilience Fund: Thanks to Delegate Sarah Wolek and Senator Craig Zucker of Montgomery County, this new non-lapsing fund will give MDOA more flexibility to receive and leverage philanthropic and other sources of private funding in alignment with the Department’s work going forward, a tool that is sorely needed. The Fund has important guardrails and reporting requirements.
  • HB811 and SB530, the Multigenerational Third Places Act: Thanks to Delegate Wolek (Montgomery County) and Senator Shelly Hetteleman (Baltimore County), this legislation clarifies in existing law that senior villages may utilize MDOA’s Aging-in-Place grant funds in the future to fund rent or leasing costs associated with the use of “multigenerational third places;” which are defined as community spaces, other than a personal home or workplace, that supports social connection, events, or gathering among individuals of different ages. This will give Maryland’s senior villages who win these funds greater flexibility to rent or lease gathering spaces on a standing basis, not just in connection with defined events. 

Other Legislative Accomplishments

  • Generated greater partnership for challenges and opportunities of growing aging population in the full House of Delegates’ Health Committee, Senate Finance Committee, and Eastern Shore Delegation on the state’s Longevity Ready Maryland Plan released in July 2025 through early in-session briefings.
  • As a result of improved spending effectiveness, protected critical state funding for MDOA, primarily for older adults to access in-home and community supportive services
    and support navigating Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
  • Deepened relationships and actively supported Longevity Ready Maryland-aligned legislation from the Governor, sister state agencies, and private sponsors.

MDOA-Supported Bills Passed:

Four priority bills closely aligned with Longevity Ready Maryland's (LRM's) Epic Goals:​​

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. HB502 - Support for Employment and Job Training for Marylanders with Disabilities: Policies to connect​ Marylanders with disabilities with good-paying jobs.
  4. 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.

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 ​