MD
Maryland House Bill HB384

Maryland 2025 Regular Session

Maryland House Bill HB384 Compare Versions

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33 EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
44 [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
55 Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
66 Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
77 amendment.
8- Italics indicate opposite chamber/conference committee amendments.
98 *hb0384*
109
1110 HOUSE BILL 384
12-O3, P1 (5lr2026)
13-ENROLLED BILL
14-— Health and Government Operations/Finance —
15-Introduced by Delegates Lehman, Acevero, Allen, Feldmark, Foley, Guyton,
16-Guzzone, Harris, Ivey, Kaufman, J. Long, Patterson, Ruth, Spiegel, Taveras,
17-Taylor, Terrasa, Turner, Williams, Wims, Woods, Woorman, and Ziegler
18-Ziegler, Pena–Melnyk, Cullison, Alston, Bagnall, Bha ndari, Hill,
19-Hutchinson, S. Johnson, Kaiser, Kerr, Kipke, Lopez, Martinez, Reilly,
20-Rosenberg, Ross, and White Holland
21-
22-Read and Examined by Proofreaders:
23-
24-_______________________________________________
25-Proofreader.
26-_______________________________________________
27-Proofreader.
28-
29-Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, for his approval this
30-
31-_______ day of _______________ at ________________________ o’clock, ________M.
32-
33-______________________________________________
34-Speaker.
11+O3, P1 5lr2026
12+ CF SB 157
13+By: Delegates Lehman, Acevero, Allen, Feldmark, Foley, Guyton, Guzzone, Harris,
14+Ivey, Kaufman, J. Long, Patterson, Ruth, Spiegel, Taveras, Taylor, Terrasa,
15+Turner, Williams, Wims, Woods, Woorman, and Ziegler Ziegler,
16+Pena–Melnyk, Cullison, Alston, Bagnall, Bhandari, Hill, Hutchinson,
17+S. Johnson, Kaiser, Kerr, Kipke, Lopez, Martinez, Reilly, Rosenberg, Ross,
18+and White Holland
19+Introduced and read first time: January 16, 2025
20+Assigned to: Health and Government Operations
21+Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
22+House action: Adopted
23+Read second time: March 14, 2025
3524
3625 CHAPTER ______
3726
3827 AN ACT concerning 1
3928
4029 Maryland Disability Service Animal Program – Established 2
4130
4231 FOR the purpose of establishing the Maryland Disability Service Animal Program in the 3
4332 Department of Disabilities; requiring the Department to select a nonprofit training 4
4433 entity for participation in the Program; establishing the Maryland Disability Service 5
4534 Animal Program Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund; and generally relating to the 6
4635 Maryland Disability Service Animal Program. 7
4736
4837 BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 8
49- Article – Human Services 9 2 HOUSE BILL 384
38+ Article – Human Services 9
39+Section 7–114 10
40+ Annotated Code of Maryland 11
41+ (2019 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 12
5042
51-
52-Section 7–114 1
53- Annotated Code of Maryland 2
54- (2019 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 3
55-
56-BY adding to 4
57- Article – Human Services 5
58-Section 7–1201 through 7–1206 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 12. Maryland 6
59-Disability Service Animal Program” 7
60- Annotated Code of Maryland 8
61- (2019 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 9
62-
63- SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 10
64-That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 11
65-
66-Article – Human Services 12
67-
68-7–114. 13
69-
70- (a) (1) The Department is the principal unit of State government responsible 14
71-for developing, maintaining, revising, and enforcing statewide disability policies and 15
72-standards throughout the units of State government. 16
73-
74- (2) In this capacity, the Department shall: 17
75-
76- (i) serve as the principal advisor to the Governor on the means and 18
77-methods available to: 19
78-
79- 1. implement and fund support to individuals with 20
80-disabilities in accordance with the State Disabilities Plan; 21
81-
82- 2. modify or consolidate support to individuals with 22
83-disabilities; and 23
84-
85- 3. collaborate with federal, regional, and local units of 24
86-government to enhance the effectiveness of the provision and funding of support to 25
87-individuals with disabilities; 26
88-
89- (ii) annually recommend projects to the Department of Budget and 27
90-Management for inclusion in the capital budget to promote access to State–owned facilities 28
91-for individuals with disabilities; 29
92-
93- (iii) assist units of State government to identify federal, State, local, 30
94-and private funds available to the State for programs and services for individuals with 31
95-disabilities; and 32
96-
97- (iv) provide technical assistance to local jurisdictions in planning and 33
98-implementing collaborative strategies consistent with the State Disabilities Plan. 34 HOUSE BILL 384 3
43+BY adding to 13
44+ Article – Human Services 14
45+Section 7–1201 through 7–1206 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 12. Maryland 15
46+Disability Service Animal Program” 16
47+ Annotated Code of Maryland 17
48+ (2019 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 18 2 HOUSE BILL 384
9949
10050
10151
102- (b) The Department shall oversee and administer the following programs and 1
103-units: 2
52+ SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 1
53+That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 2
10454
105- (1) constituent services and ombudsmen programs; 3
55+Article – Human Services 3
10656
107- (2) the Assistive Technology Guaranteed Loan Program under Subtitle 6 4
108-of this title; 5
57+7–114. 4
10958
110- (3) the Office of Personal Assistance Services, including the Attendant 6
111-Care Program under Subtitle 4 of this title; 7
59+ (a) (1) The Department is the principal unit of State government responsible 5
60+for developing, maintaining, revising, and enforcing statewide disability policies and 6
61+standards throughout the units of State government. 7
11262
113- (4) Telecommunications Access of Maryland under Subtitle 8 of this title; 8
114-[and] 9
63+ (2) In this capacity, the Department shall: 8
11564
116- (5) Telecommunications Devices and Distribution of Accessible 10
117-Information for Disabled Individuals under Subtitle 9 of this title; AND 11
65+ (i) serve as the principal advisor to the Governor on the means and 9
66+methods available to: 10
11867
119- (6) THE MARYLAND DISABILITY SERVICE ANIMAL PROGRAM UNDER 12
120-SUBTITLE 12 OF THIS TITLE. 13
68+ 1. implement and fund support to individuals with 11
69+disabilities in accordance with the State Disabilities Plan; 12
12170
122-SUBTITLE 12. MARYLAND DISABILITY SERVICE ANIMAL PROGRAM. 14
71+ 2. modify or consolidate support to individuals with 13
72+disabilities; and 14
12373
124-7–1201. 15
74+ 3. collaborate with federal, regional, and local units of 15
75+government to enhance the effectiveness of the provision and funding of support to 16
76+individuals with disabilities; 17
12577
126- (A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 16
127-INDICATED. 17
78+ (ii) annually recommend projects to the Department of Budget and 18
79+Management for inclusion in the capital budget to promote access to State–owned facilities 19
80+for individuals with disabilities; 20
12881
129- (B) “DEPARTMENT ” MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES. 18
82+ (iii) assist units of State government to identify federal, State, local, 21
83+and private funds available to the State for programs and services for individuals with 22
84+disabilities; and 23
13085
131- (C) “ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL ” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL A RESIDENT OF THE 19
132-STATE WITH A DISABILITY , AS DEFINED IN THE FE DERAL AMERICANS WITH 20
133-DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12102. 21
86+ (iv) provide technical assistance to local jurisdictions in planning and 24
87+implementing collaborative strategies consistent with the State Disabilities Plan. 25
13488
135- (D) “FUND” MEANS THE MARYLAND DISABILITY SERVICE ANIMAL 22
136-PROGRAM FUND. 23
89+ (b) The Department shall oversee and administer the following programs and 26
90+units: 27
13791
138- (E) “NONPROFIT TRAINING EN TITY” MEANS A CORPORATION , A 24
139-FOUNDATION , OR ANY OTHER LEGAL E NTITY THAT: 25
92+ (1) constituent services and ombudsmen programs; 28
14093
141- (1) IS TAX–EXEMPT UNDER § 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE 26
142-CODE; 27
94+ (2) the Assistive Technology Guaranteed Loan Program under Subtitle 6 29
95+of this title; 30
96+ HOUSE BILL 384 3
14397
144- (2) ENGAGES IN THE TRAINING OF SERVICE ANIMALS FOR USE BY 28
145-ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS ; AND 29 4 HOUSE BILL 384
98+
99+ (3) the Office of Personal Assistance Services, including the Attendant 1
100+Care Program under Subtitle 4 of this title; 2
101+
102+ (4) Telecommunications Access of Maryland under Subtitle 8 of this title; 3
103+[and] 4
104+
105+ (5) Telecommunications Devices and Distribution of Accessible 5
106+Information for Disabled Individuals under Subtitle 9 of this title; AND 6
107+
108+ (6) THE MARYLAND DISABILITY SERVICE ANIMAL PROGRAM UNDER 7
109+SUBTITLE 12 OF THIS TITLE. 8
110+
111+SUBTITLE 12. MARYLAND DISABILITY SERVICE ANIMAL PROGRAM. 9
112+
113+7–1201. 10
114+
115+ (A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 11
116+INDICATED. 12
117+
118+ (B) “DEPARTMENT ” MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES. 13
119+
120+ (C) “ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL ” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL A RESIDENT OF THE 14
121+STATE WITH A DISABILITY , AS DEFINED IN THE FE DERAL AMERICANS WITH 15
122+DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12102. 16
123+
124+ (D) “FUND” MEANS THE MARYLAND DISABILITY SERVICE ANIMAL 17
125+PROGRAM FUND. 18
126+
127+ (E) “NONPROFIT TRAINING EN TITY” MEANS A CORPORATION , A 19
128+FOUNDATION , OR ANY OTHER LEGAL E NTITY THAT: 20
129+
130+ (1) IS TAX–EXEMPT UNDER § 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE 21
131+CODE; 22
132+
133+ (2) ENGAGES IN THE TRAIN ING OF SERVICE ANIMA LS FOR USE BY 23
134+ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS ; AND 24
135+
136+ (3) HAS BEEN SELECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE 25
137+SERVICES UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 26
138+
139+ (F) “PROGRAM” MEANS THE MARYLAND DISABILITY SERVICE ANIMAL 27
140+PROGRAM ESTABLISHED U NDER THIS SUBTITLE . 28
141+
142+ (G) “PROGRAM PARTICIPANT ” MEANS AN ELIGIBLE IN DIVIDUAL WHO 29
143+PARTICIPATES IN THE PROGRAM. 30 4 HOUSE BILL 384
146144
147145
148146
149- (3) HAS BEEN SELECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE 1
150-SERVICES UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 2
147+ (H) (1) “SERVICE ANIMAL ” MEANS AN ANIMAL THAT IS INDIVIDUALLY 1
148+TRAINED TO DO WORK O R PERFORM TASKS FOR THE BENEFIT OF A N INDIVIDUAL 2
149+WITH A DISABILITY. 3
151150
152- (F) “PROGRAM” MEANS THE MARYLAND DISABILITY SERVICE ANIMAL 3
153-PROGRAM ESTABLISHED U NDER THIS SUBTITLE . 4
151+ (2) “SERVICE ANIMAL ” DOES NOT INCLUDE AN ANIMAL THAT: 4
154152
155- (G) “PROGRAM PARTICIPANT ” MEANS AN ELIGIBLE IN DIVIDUAL WHO 5
156-PARTICIPATES IN THE PROGRAM. 6
153+ (I) AS A RESULT OF THE A NIMAL’S PRESENCE, IS MEANT TO 5
154+DETER CRIME; OR 6
157155
158- (H) (1) “SERVICE ANIMAL ” MEANS AN ANIMAL THAT IS INDIVIDUALLY 7
159-TRAINED TO DO WORK O R PERFORM TASKS FOR THE BENEFIT OF AN IN DIVIDUAL 8
160-WITH A DISABILITY. 9
156+ (II) PROVIDES ONLY EMOTIO NAL SUPPORT , WELL–BEING, 7
157+COMFORT, OR COMPANI ONSHIP TO AN INDIVID UAL. 8
161158
162- (2) “SERVICE ANIMAL” DOES NOT INCLUDE AN ANIMAL THAT: 10
159+ (I) “SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM PARTICIPANT ” MEANS A PROGRAM 9
160+PARTICIPANT WHO SUCC ESSFULLY COMPLETES T HE TRAINING PROTOCOL 10
161+SPECIFIED BY A NONPR OFIT TRAINING ENTITY . 11
163162
164- (I) AS A RESULT OF THE A NIMAL’S PRESENCE, IS MEANT TO 11
165-DETER CRIME; OR 12
163+7–1202. 12
166164
167- (II) PROVIDES ONLY EMOTIO NAL SUPPORT , WELL–BEING, 13
168-COMFORT, OR COMPANIONSHIP TO AN INDIVIDUAL. 14
165+ THERE IS A MARYLAND DISABILITY SERVICE ANIMAL PROGRAM IN THE 13
166+DEPARTMENT . 14
169167
170- (I) “SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM PARTICIPANT ” MEANS A PROGRAM 15
171-PARTICIPANT WHO SUCC ESSFULLY COMPLETES T HE TRAINING PROTOCOL 16
172-SPECIFIED BY A NONPR OFIT TRAINING ENTITY . 17
168+7–1203. 15
173169
174-7–1202. 18
170+ THE PURPOSES OF THE PROGRAM ARE TO : 16
175171
176- THERE IS A MARYLAND DISABILITY SERVICE ANIMAL PROGRAM IN THE 19
177-DEPARTMENT . 20
172+ (1) REFER ELIGIBLE INDIV IDUALS WHO INQUIRE A BOUT 17
173+PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM TO SELECT ONE OR MORE NONPROFI T TRAINING 18
174+ENTITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN TH E PROGRAM; AND 19
178175
179-7–1203. 21
176+ (2) PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDING MECHANISMS T O ASSIST 20
177+ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS IN THE PROGRAM; AND 21
180178
181- THE PURPOSES OF THE PROGRAM ARE TO : 22
179+ (3) ENCOURAGE SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS TO ASSIST IN 22
180+OUTREACH AND REFERRA LS TO OTHER ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS WHO COUL D 23
181+BENEFIT FROM PARTICI PATION IN THE PROGRAM. 24
182182
183- (1) REFER ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS WHO INQUIRE ABOUT 23
184-PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM TO SELECT ONE OR MORE NONPROFI T TRAINING 24
185-ENTITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN TH E PROGRAM; AND 25
183+7–1204. 25
186184
187- (2) PROVIDE ADDITIONAL F UNDING MECHANISMS TO ASSIST 26
188-ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS IN THE PROGRAM; AND 27
189- HOUSE BILL 384 5
185+ THE DEPARTMENT SHALL : 26
186+
187+ (1) MANAGE, SUPERVISE, AND ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM; 27
188+
189+ (2) ADOPT REGULATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM AND TO 28
190+ENSURE THAT FUND RESOURCES ARE UT ILIZED TO CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES OF 29 HOUSE BILL 384 5
190191
191192
192- (3) ENCOURAGE SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS TO ASSIST IN 1
193-OUTREACH AND REFERRA LS TO OTHER ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS WHO COUL D 2
194-BENEFIT FROM PARTICI PATION IN THE PROGRAM. 3
193+THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING REGULATION S ESTABLISHING PROCE DURES FOR THE 1
194+DEPARTMENT TO : 2
195195
196-7–1204. 4
196+ (I) PROMOTE THE PROGRAM TO ELIGIBLE I NDIVIDUALS 3
197+THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT ’S OUTREACH METHODS ; 4
197198
198- THE DEPARTMENT SHALL : 5
199+ (II) REFER ELIGIBLE INDIV IDUALS TO SELECTED N ONPROFIT 5
200+TRAINING ENTITIES ; 6
199201
200- (1) MANAGE, SUPERVISE, AND ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM; 6
202+ (III) RECEIVE DONATIONS FO R THE FUND; AND 7
201203
202- (2) ADOPT REGULATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM AND TO 7
203-ENSURE THAT FUND RESOURCES ARE UT ILIZED TO CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES OF 8
204-THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING REGULATION S ESTABLISHING PROCE DURES FOR THE 9
205-DEPARTMENT TO : 10
204+ (IV) (II) USE REVENUE FROM THE FUND TO PAY SELECTED 8
205+NONPROFIT TRAINING E NTITIES FOR SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED TH ROUGH THE 9
206+PROGRAM; AND 10
206207
207- (I) PROMOTE THE PROGRAM TO ELIGIBLE I NDIVIDUALS 11
208-THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT ’S OUTREACH METHODS ; 12
208+ (3) SELECT AT LEAST ONE NONPROFIT TRAINING E NTITY TO: 11
209209
210- (II) REFER ELIGIBLE INDIV IDUALS TO SELECTED N ONPROFIT 13
211-TRAINING ENTITIES ; 14
210+ (I) DEVELOP AND IMPLEMEN T A TRAINING PROTOCO L THAT 12
211+WILL TEACH EACH PROGRAM PARTICIPANT M ETHODOLOGIES , STRATEGIES, AND 13
212+TECHNIQUES FOR PARTN ERING WITH SERVICE A NIMALS; 14
212213
213- (III) RECEIVE DONATIONS FO R THE FUND; AND 15
214+ (II) SELECT QUALIFIED PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS FROM THOSE 15
215+ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS REFERRED TO THE NONP ROFIT TRAINING ENTIT Y UNDER 16
216+THE PROGRAM; 17
214217
215- (IV) (II) USE REVENUE FROM THE FUND TO PAY SELECTED 16
216-NONPROFIT TRAINING E NTITIES FOR SERVICES THAT ARE PR OVIDED THROUGH THE 17
217-PROGRAM; AND 18
218+ (III) SELECT AN APPROPRIATE SERVI CE ANIMAL FOR EACH 18
219+PROGRAM PARTICIPANT ; 19
218220
219- (3) SELECT AT LEAST ONE NONPROFIT TRAINING E NTITY TO: 19
221+ (IV) FACILITATE EACH PROGRAM PARTICIPANT ’S TRAINING 20
222+USING THE NONPROFIT TRAINING ENTITY ’S TRAINING PROTOCOL ; AND 21
220223
221- (I) DEVELOP AND IMPLEMEN T A TRAINING PROTOCO L THAT 20
222-WILL TEACH EACH PROGRAM PARTICIPANT M ETHODOLOGIES , STRATEGIES, AND 21
223-TECHNIQUES FOR PARTN ERING WITH SERVICE ANIMALS ; 22
224+ (V) PARTNER EACH SUCCESS FUL PROGRAM PARTICIPANT W ITH 22
225+THE SERVICE ANIMAL O N THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANT ’S SUCCESSFUL COMPLET ION 23
226+OF THE NONPROFIT TRA INING ENTITY’S TRAINING PROTOCOL . 24
224227
225- (II) SELECT QUALIFIED PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS FROM THOSE 23
226-ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS REFERRED TO THE NONP ROFIT TRAINING ENTIT Y UNDER 24
227-THE PROGRAM; 25
228+7–1205. 25
228229
229- (III) SELECT AN APPROPRIAT E SERVICE ANIMAL FOR EACH 26
230-PROGRAM PARTICIPANT ; 27
230+ (A) TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR SE LECTION AS A NONPROF IT TRAINING ENTITY 26
231+UNDER § 7–1204 OF THIS SUBTITLE, A NONPROFIT TRAINING ENTITY SHALL: 27
231232
232- (IV) FACILITATE EACH PROGRAM PARTICIPANT ’S TRAINING 28
233-USING THE NONPROFIT TRAINING ENTITY ’S TRAINING PROTOCOL ; AND 29
234- 6 HOUSE BILL 384
233+ (1) SERVE THE NEEDS OF ELIGI BLE INDIVIDUALS IN T HE STATE; AND 28
234+
235+ (2) GENERATE ITS OWN REV ENUE AND REINVEST TH E PROCEEDS OF 29
236+THAT REVENUE IN THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPME NT OF ITS PROGRAMS . 30 6 HOUSE BILL 384
235237
236238
237- (V) PARTNER EACH SUCCESS FUL PROGRAM PARTICIPANT W ITH 1
238-THE SERVICE ANIMAL O N THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANT ’S SUCCESSFUL COMPLET ION 2
239-OF THE NONPROFIT TRA INING ENTITY’S TRAINING PROTOCOL . 3
240239
241-7–1205. 4
240+ (B) A NONPROFIT TRAINING E NTITY MAY DISQUALIFY A PROGRAM 1
241+PARTICIPANT FROM PAR TICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM IF THE NONPRO FIT 2
242+TRAINING ENTITY DETE RMINES THAT THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANT ’S INVOLVEMENT 3
243+IN THE PROGRAM: 4
242244
243- (A) TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR SE LECTION AS A NONPROF IT TRAINING ENTITY 5
244-UNDER § 7–1204 OF THIS SUBTITLE, A NONPROFIT TRAINING ENTITY SHALL: 6
245+ (1) PRESENTS A DANGER TO THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANT ’S MENTAL 5
246+OR PHYSICAL WELL –BEING; 6
245247
246- (1) SERVE THE NEEDS OF E LIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS IN THE STATE; AND 7
248+ (2) PRESENTS A DIRECT TH REAT TO OTHERS , AS DEFINED BY THE 7
249+FEDERAL AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT; 8
247250
248- (2) GENERATE ITS OWN REVENUE AND REINVEST THE PROCEED S OF 8
249-THAT REVENUE IN THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPME NT OF ITS PROGRAMS . 9
251+ (3) PRESENTS A DIRECT TH REAT TO THE SERVICE ANIMA L’S MENTAL 9
252+OR PHYSICAL WELL –BEING; OR 10
250253
251- (B) A NONPROFIT TRAINING E NTITY MAY DISQUALIFY A PROGRAM 10
252-PARTICIPANT FROM PAR TICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM IF THE NONPRO FIT 11
253-TRAINING ENTITY DETE RMINES THAT THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANT ’S INVOLVEMENT 12
254-IN THE PROGRAM: 13
254+ (4) DOES NOT MEET THE TR AINING REQUIREMENTS OF THE 11
255+NONPROFIT. 12
255256
256- (1) PRESENTS A DANGER TO THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANT ’S MENTAL 14
257-OR PHYSICAL WELL –BEING; 15
257+ (C) A PROGRAM PARTICIPANT M AY DISCONTINUE INVOLVEMENT IN THE 13
258+PROGRAM FOR ANY REASO N. 14
258259
259- (2) PRESENTS A DIRECT TH REAT TO OTHERS , AS DEFINED BY THE 16
260-FEDERAL AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT; 17
260+7–1206. 15
261261
262- (3) PRESENTS A DIRECT THREAT TO THE SERVICE ANIMA L’S MENTAL 18
263-OR PHYSICAL WELL –BEING; OR 19
262+ (A) THERE IS A MARYLAND DISABILITY SERVICE ANIMAL PROGRAM FUND. 16
264263
265- (4) DOES NOT MEET THE TR AINING REQUIREMENTS OF THE 20
266-NONPROFIT. 21
264+ (B) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO: 17
267265
268- (C) A PROGRAM PARTICIPANT M AY DISCONTINUE INVOL VEMENT IN THE 22
269-PROGRAM FOR ANY REASO N. 23
266+ (1) PAY A NONPROFIT TRAI NING ENTITY; AND 18
270267
271-7–1206. 24
268+ (2) COVER THE COSTS OF A DMINISTERING THE PROGRAM. 19
272269
273- (A) THERE IS A MARYLAND DISABILITY SERVICE ANIMAL PROGRAM FUND. 25
270+ (C) THE SECRETARY SHALL ADMIN ISTER THE FUND. 20
274271
275- (B) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO: 26
272+ (D) (1) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL , NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT 21
273+SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 22
276274
277- (1) PAY A NONPROFIT TRAI NING ENTITY; AND 27
275+ (2) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND, AND THE 23
276+COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND. 24
278277
279- (2) COVER THE COSTS OF A DMINISTERING THE PROGRAM. 28
278+ (E) (1) THE FUND CONSISTS OF : 25
279+
280+ (I) REVENUE COLLECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN THE FOR M 26
281+OF DONATIONS TO THE PROGRAM; 27
280282 HOUSE BILL 384 7
281283
282284
283- (C) THE SECRETARY SHALL ADMIN ISTER THE FUND. 1
285+ (II) MONEY APPROPRIATED I N THE STATE BUDGET TO THE 1
286+FUND; AND 2
284287
285- (D) (1) THE FUND IS A S PECIAL, NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT 2
286-SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 3
288+ (III) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED 3
289+FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FUND. 4
287290
288- (2) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND, AND THE 4
289-COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND. 5
291+ (2) FOR EACH FISCAL YEAR , THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN THE 5
292+ANNUAL BUDGET BILL A N APPROPRIATION OF $25,000 TO THE FUND. 6
290293
291- (E) (1) THE FUND CONSISTS OF : 6
294+ (2) (3) EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND MAY BE MADE ONLY IN 7
295+ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATE BUDGET . 8
292296
293- (I) REVENUE COLLECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN THE FOR M 7
294-OF DONATIONS TO THE PROGRAM; 8
297+ (3) (4) MONEY EXPENDED FROM T HE FUND IS SUPPLEMENTAL TO 9
298+AND IS NOT INTENDED TO TAKE THE PLACE OF FUNDING THAT OTHERWI SE WOULD 10
299+BE APPROPRIATED FOR THE PROGRAM. 11
295300
296- (II) MONEY APPROPRIATED I N THE STATE BUDGET TO THE 9
297-FUND; AND 10
301+ (F) THE FUND MAY BE USED ONLY TO PAY: 12
298302
299- (III) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED 11
300-FOR THE BENEFIT OF T HE FUND. 12
303+ (1) A NONPROFIT TRAINING ENTITY; AND 13
301304
302- (2) FOR EACH FISCAL YEAR , THE GOVERNOR SHAL L INCLUDE IN THE 13
303-ANNUAL BUDGET BILL A N APPROPRIATION OF $25,000 TO THE FUND. 14
305+ (2) ADMINISTRATIVE CO STS OF THE PROGRAM. 14
304306
305- (2) (3) EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND MAY BE MADE ONLY IN 15
306-ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATE BUDGET . 16
307+ (G) (1) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVES T AND REINVEST THE 15
308+MONEY OF THE FUND IN THE SAME MANN ER AS OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE 16
309+INVESTED. 17
307310
308- (3) (4) MONEY EXPENDED FROM T HE FUND IS SUPPLEMENTAL TO 17
309-AND IS NOT INTENDED TO TAKE THE PLACE OF FUNDING THAT OTHERWI SE WOULD 18
310-BE APPROPRIATED FOR THE PROGRAM. 19
311+ (2) ANY INVESTMENT EARNIN GS OF THE FUND SHALL BE CREDITE D 18
312+TO THE GENERAL FUND OF THE STATE. 19
311313
312- (F) THE FUND MAY BE USED ONLY TO PAY: 20
314+ (H) FOR THE PURPOSE OF IM PLEMENTING THIS SECT ION, THE 20
315+DEPARTMENT MAY ACCEPT GIFTS OR GRANTS FOR DONATION TO THE FUND. 21
313316
314- (1) A NONPROFIT TRAINING ENTITY; AND 21
317+ SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 22
318+October 1, 2025: 23
315319
316- (2) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OF THE PROGRAM. 22
320+ (a) This Act is contingent on the Department of Disabilities certifying that the 24
321+Department has sufficient staff to administer the Maryland Disability Service Animal 25
322+Program under Title 7, Subtitle 12 of the Human Services Article, as enacted by Section 1 26
323+of this Act. 27
317324
318- (G) (1) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVES T AND REINVEST THE 23
319-MONEY OF THE FUND IN THE SAME MANN ER AS OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE 24
320-INVESTED. 25
321-
322- (2) ANY INVESTMENT EARNIN GS OF THE FUND SHALL BE CREDITE D 26
323-TO THE GENERAL FUND OF THE STATE. 27
324-
325- (H) FOR THE PURPOSE OF IM PLEMENTING THIS SECT ION, THE 28
326-DEPARTMENT MAY ACCEPT GIFTS OR GRANTS FOR DONATION TO THE FUND. 29 8 HOUSE BILL 384
325+ (b) On or before October 1, 2026, the Department of Disabilities shall notify the 28
326+Department of Legislative Services whether the Department has certified that the 29
327+Department has sufficient staff to administer the Maryland Disability Service Animal 30
328+Program. 31
329+ 8 HOUSE BILL 384
327330
328331
332+ (c) (1) If the Department of Legislative Services receives notification that the 1
333+Department of Disabilities has sufficient staff to administer the Maryland Disability 2
334+Service Animal Program on or before October 1, 2026, this Act shall take effect on the date 3
335+the notice is received by the Department of Legislative Services in accordance with 4
336+subsection (b) of this section. 5
329337
330- SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 1
331-October 1, 2025: 2
332-
333- (a) This Act is contingent on the Department of Disabilities certifying that the 3
334-Department has sufficient staff to administer the Maryland Disability Service Animal 4
335-Program under Title 7, Subtitle 12 of the Human Services Article, as enacted by Section 1 5
336-of this Act. 6
337-
338- (b) On or before October 1, 2026, the Department of Disabilities shall notify the 7
339-Department of Legislative Services whether the Department has certified that the 8
340-Department has sufficient staff to administer the Maryland Disability Service Animal 9
341-Program. 10
342-
343- (c) (1) If the Department of Legislative Services receives notification that the 11
344-Department of Disabilities has sufficient staff to administer the Maryland Disability 12
345-Service Animal Program on or before October 1, 2026, this Act shall take effect on the date 13
346-the notice is received by the Department of Legislative Services in accordance with 14
347-subsection (b) of this section. 15
348-
349- (2) If the Department of Legislative Services receives notice that the 16
350-Department of Disabilities lacks sufficient staff to administer the Maryland Disability 17
351-Service Animal Program on or before October 1, 2026, this Act, with no further action 18
352-required by the General Assembly, shall be null and void. 19
353-
354- SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, subject to Section 2 of this 20
355-Act, this Act shall take effect October 1, 2025. 21
338+ (2) If the Department of Legislative Services receives notice that the 6
339+Department of Disabilities lacks sufficient staff to administer the Maryland Disability 7
340+Service Animal Program on or before October 1, 2026, this Act, with no further action 8
341+required by the General Assembly, shall be null and void. 9
356342
357343
358344
359345
360346 Approved:
361347 ________________________________________________________________________________
362348 Governor.
363349 ________________________________________________________________________________
364350 Speaker of the House of Delegates.
365351 ________________________________________________________________________________
366352 President of the Senate.