EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*sb0920*
SENATE BILL 920
J1, J3 5lr2424
CF HB 1142
By: Senator Gile
Introduced and read first time: January 28, 2025
Assigned to: Finance
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
Senate action: Adopted
Read second time: March 16, 2025
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Public Health – Maryland Interested Parties Advisory Group – Establishment 2
FOR the purpose of establishing the Maryland Interested Parties Advisory Group to ensure 3
adequate access to applicable home– and community–based services and the 4
existence of an adequate direct care workforce in the State; requiring the Maryland 5
Department of Health to provide certain support to the Advisory Group; and 6
generally relating to the Maryland Interested Parties Advisory Group. 7
BY adding to 8
Article – Health – General 9
Section 15–1201 through 15–1205 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 12. 10
Maryland Interested Parties Advisory Group” 11
Annotated Code of Maryland 12
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 13
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 14
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 15
Article – Health – General 16
SUBTITLE 12. MARYLAND INTERESTED PARTIES ADVISORY GROUP. 17
15–1201. 18
2 SENATE BILL 920
(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 1
INDICATED. 2
(B) “ADVISORY GROUP” MEANS THE MARYLAND INTERESTED PARTIES 3
ADVISORY GROUP ESTABLISHED UND ER § 15–1202 OF THIS SUBTITLE AND 4
REQUIRED UNDER 42 C.F.R. § 447.203. 5
(C) “APPLICABLE SERVICE CA TEGORIES” MEANS HOMEMAKER SERV ICES, 6
HOME HEALTH AIDE SER VICES, PERSONAL CARE SERVIC ES, AND HABILITATION 7
SERVICES. 8
(D) “CONSUMER” MEANS AN APPLICANT F OR, A RECIPIENT OF , OR AN 9
INDIVIDUAL ELIGIBLE FO R MEDICAID HOME – AND COMMUNITY –BASED SERVICES , 10
OR THE INDIVIDUAL ’S AUTHORIZED REPRESE NTATIVE. 11
(E) “CONSUMER ORGANIZATION ” MEANS A STATE OR LOCAL CONSUM ER 12
ADVOCACY GROUP OR OT HER COMMUNITY –BASED ORGANIZATION T HAT 13
REPRESENTS THE INTER ESTS OF, OR PROVIDES DIRECT S ERVICES TO, CONSUMERS 14
OF MEDICAID HOME – AND COMMUNITY –BASED SERVICES . 15
(F) “DIRECT CARE WORKER ” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL : 16
(1) EMPLOYED BY A MEDICAID PROVIDER , STATE AGENCY, OR THIRD 17
PARTY; 18
(2) WHO CONTRACTS WITH A MEDICAID PROV IDER, STATE AGENCY , 19
OR THIRD PARTY ; 20
(3) DELIVERING SERVICES U NDER A SELF –DIRECTED SERVICES 21
DELIVERY MODEL ; OR 22
(4) WHO IS PAID TO PROVID E HOME– AND COMMUNITY –BASED 23
SERVICES THROUGH AN APPLICABLE SERVICE C ATEGORY. 24
(G) “HOME– AND COMMUNITY –BASED SERVI CES” MEANS MEDICAID 25
HOME– AND COMMUNITY –BASED SERVICES DELIV ERED THROUGH THE STATE PLAN, 26
A WAIVER UNDER § 1915(C) OF THE FEDERAL SOCIAL SECURITY ACT, A MANAGED 27
CARE PROGRAM , OR OTHER DEMONSTRATI ON PROGRAM . 28
(H) “PERSONAL CARE ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED UNDER § 19–301 OF THIS 29
ARTICLE. 30
SENATE BILL 920 3
(I) “PROVIDER ASSOCIATION ” MEANS A TRADE ASSOCI ATION EXEMPT 1
FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION UNDER § 501(C)(6) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE 2
CODE THAT REPRESENTS DIRE CT CARE EMPLOYERS . 3
(J) “WORKER ORGANIZATION ” MEANS AN ORGANIZATIO N THAT: 4
(1) IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERA L INCOME TAXATION UN DER §§ 5
501(C)(3) THROUGH (6) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE; 6
(2) IS NOT DOMINATED , CONTROLLED , OR FUNDED BY A DIREC T CARE 7
EMPLOYER; AND 8
(3) HAS AT LEAST 2 YEARS OF DEMONSTRATE D EXPERIENCE 9
ENGAGING W ITH AND ADVOCATING F OR DIRECT CARE WORKE RS. 10
15–1202. 11
(A) THERE IS A MARYLAND INTERESTED PARTIES ADVISORY GROUP 12
WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT . 13
(B) THE PRIMARY PURPOSE O F THE ADVISORY GROUP IS TO ENSURE: 14
(1) ADVISE AND CONSULT O N MEDICAID PAYMENT RATES ARE 15
SUFFICIENT TO PROVIDE RATE SUFFICIENCY , ENSURING ADEQUATE ACCESS TO 16
APPLICABLE SERVICE C ATEGORIES; AND 17
(2) THE EXISTENCE OF AN A DEQUATE AND QUALIFIE D DIRECT CARE 18
WORKFORCE TO PROVIDE SERVICES IN THE STATE. 19
15–1203. 20
(A) THE ADVISORY GROUP CONSISTS OF : 21
(1) THE DEPUTY SECRETARY, OF HEALTH CARE FINANCING, OR THE 22
DEPUTY SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE; 23
(2) THE SECRETARY OF LABOR, OR THE SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE; 24
AND 25
(3) THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE DEPUTY 26
SECRETARY OF HEALTH CARE FINANCING, OR THE DEPUTY SECRETARY’S 27
DESIGNEE: 28
(I) THREE CONSUMERS ; 29
4 SENATE BILL 920
(II) TWO REPRESENTATIVES O F CONSUMER ORGANIZAT IONS; 1
(III) THREE DIRECT CARE WOR KERS; 2
(IV) TWO REPRESENTATIVES O F WORKER ORGANIZATIO NS; AND 3
(V) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF A PROVIDER ASSOCIATION; AND 4
(VI) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC ; AND 5
(3) ONE NONVOTING ADVISOR Y MEMBER FROM THE DIVISION OF 6
HEALTH CARE FINANCING AND MEDICAID WITH ADVANCE D DATA LITERACY TO 7
ADDRESS ANY QUESTION OR ISSUE RELATED TO THE DATA EXAMINED B Y THE 8
ADVISORY GROUP THREE REPRESENTATIVES OF PROVIDER ASSOCIAT IONS, OF 9
WHOM: 10
1. TWO SHALL BE REPRESEN TATIVES OF A RESIDEN TIAL 11
SERVICE AGENCY ; AND 12
2. ONE SHALL BE A REPRES ENTATIVE OF AN EMPLO YER 13
TRADE ASSOCIATION . 14
(B) TO THE EXTENT PRACTIC ABLE, THE MEMBERS APPOINTE D TO THE 15
ADVISORY GROUP SHALL REFLECT T HE DIVERSITY OF LIVE D EXPERIENCE WITH 16
DISABILITY, AS WELL AS THE GEOGR APHIC, RACIAL, ETHNIC, CULTURAL, GENDER, 17
SEXUAL ORIENTATION , GENDER IDENTITY , GENDER EXPRESSION , AGE, AND 18
SOCIOECONOMIC DIVERS ITY OF THE STATE. 19
(C) (1) THE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF HEALTH CARE FINANCING, OR THE 20
DEPUTY SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE, SHALL ESTABLISH AN A PPLICATION PROCESS 21
THAT IS ACCESSIBLE T O THE GENERAL PUBLIC FOR THE RECRUITMENT OF 22
MEMBERS. 23
(2) THE APPLICATION AND C RITERIA FOR SELECTION SHA LL BE 24
PUBLISHED ON THE DEPARTMENT ’S WEBSITE. 25
(D) (1) THE DEPUTY SECRETARY, OF HEALTH CARE FINANCING, OR THE 26
DEPUTY SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE, SHALL CHAIR THE ADVISORY GROUP. 27
(2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROV IDE STAFF AND SUPPOR T FOR 28
THE ADVISORY GROUP, INCLUDING APPROPRIAT E LOGISTICAL , AND 29
INFORMATIONAL , AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO ENSURE ME ANINGFUL 30
PARTICIPATION OF DIR ECT CARE WORKERS AND CONSUMERS IN THE ADVISORY 31
GROUP. 32 SENATE BILL 920 5
(E) (1) THE TERM OF AN APPOIN TED MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY GROUP 1
IS 3 YEARS. 2
(2) THE SECRETARY SHALL ENSUR E THAT MEMBERS SERVE 3
STAGGERED TERMS . 4
(3) AT THE END OF A TERM , AN APPOINTED MEMBER CONTINUES TO 5
SERVE UNTIL A SUCCES SOR IS APPOINTED AND QUALIFIES. 6
(4) A MEMBER WHO IS APPOIN TED AFTER A TERM HAS BEGUN SERVES 7
ONLY FOR THE REST OF T HE TERM AND UNTIL A SUCCESSOR IS APPOINT ED AND 8
QUALIFIES. 9
(5) THE SECRETARY MAY REMOVE OR SUSPEND A MEMBER OF THE 10
ADVISORY GROUP FOR MISCONDUCT , INCOMPETENCE , OR NEGLECT OF DUTIES 11
AFTER AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE MEMBER TO BE HEARD. 12
(F) A MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY GROUP: 13
(1) MAY NOT RECEIVE COMPE NSATION AS A MEMBER OF THE 14
ADVISORY GROUP; BUT 15
(2) IS ENTITLED TO REIMBU RSEMENT FOR EXPENSES UNDER THE 16
STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET . 17
(G) (1) BEGINNING NOVEMBER 1, 2025, THE ADVISORY GROUP SHALL 18
MEET ON A QUARTERLY BASIS ANNUALLY. 19
(2) MEETING DATES, TIMES, AND LOCATIONS SHALL BE SELECTED TO 20
MAXIMIZE MEMBER ATTE NDANCE. 21
15–1204. 22
(A) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH STANDARDIZED 23
PROCEDURES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF TH E ADVISORY GROUP AND MAKE THE 24
PROCEDURES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON A D EDICATED PAGE OF THE 25
DEPARTMENT ’S WEBSITE. 26
(2) THE DEDICATED PAGE ON THE DEPARTMENT ’S WEBSITE SHALL 27
ALSO INCLUDE: 28
(I) A LIST OF CURRENT ADVISORY GROUP MEMBERS; 29
6 SENATE BILL 920
(II) THE APPLICATION PROCE SS AND SELECTION CRI TERIA FOR 1
ADVISORY GROUP MEMBERS ; 2
(III) THE LOCATION , DATE, AND TIME OF EACH ADVISORY 3
GROUP MEETING WITH AT LEAST 30 CALENDAR DAYS ’ ADVANCE NOTICE ; 4
(IV) OPTIONS FOR VIRTUAL P ARTICIPATION IN MEETINGS OF 5
THE ADVISORY GROUP; 6
(V) PROCEDURES TO ENSURE MEANINGFUL PARTICIPA TION 7
FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND LIM ITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY ; 8
(VI) A NOTATION OF AT WHICH MEETINGS THE GENERAL PUBLIC 9
WILL HAVE AN OPPORTU NITY TO TESTIFY OR M AKE COMMENTS ; AND 10
(VII) IN ACCORDANCE WITH TH E OPEN MEETINGS ACT, THE 11
AGENDA AND MEETING M INUTES OF THE PREVIO US MEETING OF THE ADVISORY 12
GROUP, INCLUDING A LIST OF MEETING ATTENDEES . 13
(B) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROV IDE SUFFICIENT DATA AND RESOURCES 14
AT LEAST 30 DAYS IN ADVANCE OF A MEETING TO SUPPORT I NFORMED 15
PARTICIPATION IN ADVISORY GROUP DISCUSSIONS , INCLUDING: 16
(1) DISTRIBUTING INFORMAT ION COLLECTED BY THE MARYLAND 17
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR UNDER § 15–156 OF THIS TITLE , INCLUDING DATA 18
COLLECTED BY RESIDEN TIAL SERVICE AGENCIES RELATED TO DIRECT CA RE 19
WORKFORCE : 20
(I) STABILITY, INCLUDING TOTAL NUMB ERS OF FULL –TIME 21
AND PART–TIME HOME CARE WORKE RS, PERCENTAGE OF THE YE AR THAT THE 22
EMPLOYEES WERE EMPLO YED, AVERAGE LENGTH OF EM PLOYMENT, TURNOVER 23
RATE, VACANCIES, AND UNSTAFFED HOURS MEASURED BY HOURS AL LOTTED IN 24
PLANS OF SERVICE FOR WHICH THE CONSUMER I S NOT RECEIVING CARE ; 25
(II) COMPENSATION AND BENE FITS, INCLUDING THE HIGHES T, 26
LOWEST, MEDIAN, AND AVERAGE HOURLY W AGE PAID BY PROVIDER AGENCIES, 27
NUMBER OF HOURS AUTHORIZED FOR OVERT IME PAY, NUMBER OF HOURS PAID FOR 28
TRAVEL TIME BETWEEN CLIENTS, AND AVERAGE DAYS OF EARNED SICK AND SAFE 29
LEAVE PAID TO HOME C ARE WORKERS EACH YEA R; 30
(III) EMPLOYEE BENEFITS , INCLUDING HEALTH , DENTAL, AND 31
VISION BENEFITS , LIFE AND DISA BILITY INSURANCE , PAID LEAVE, RETIREMENT , 32
AND TUITION REIMBURS EMENT; 33
SENATE BILL 920 7
(IV) PROVIDER COSTS RELATE D TO THE WORKFORCE , 1
INCLUDING COSTS OF R EQUIRED TRAININGS , TRAVEL COSTS FOR DIR ECT CARE 2
WORKERS SUCH AS MILE AGE REIMBURSEMENT OR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATIO N 3
SUBSIDIES, AND COSTS OF PERSONA L PROTECTIVE EQUIPME NT FOR DIRECT CARE 4
WORKERS; AND 5
(V) DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATI ON INCLUDING AGE , GENDER, 6
RACE AND ETHNICITY , HIGHEST EDUCATIONAL LEVEL ATTAINED , CERTIFICATIONS 7
HELD, AND NUMBER OF YEARS OF DIRECT CARE WORK EXPERIENCE CURRENT AND 8
PROPOSED PAYMENT RAT ES; 9
(2) FEDERALLY REQUIRED IN FORMATION WITH A DETAILED 10
EXPLANATION OF THE M ETHODOLOGY AND DATA LIMITATIONS FOR EACH REPORT, 11
INCLUDING: 12
(I) HOME– AND COMMUNITY –BASED SERVICES PAYME NT 13
TRANSPARENCY REPORTS ; 14
(II) PAYMENT ADEQUACY REPO RTS AS REQUIRED UNDE R 42 15
C.F.R. § 441.311(E); AND 16
(III) ACCESS–TO–CARE DATA, AS REQUIRED UNDER 42 C.F.R. § 17
441.311(D)(2); 18
(3) BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS PUBLICLY A VAILABLE WAGE 19
DATA AND OTHER LABOR MARKET AND WORKFORCE DATA; 20
(4) BENCHMARKING AND RATE STUDIES FOR HOME – AND 21
COMMUNITY –BASED SERVICES CONDU CTED BY THE DEPARTMENT ; 22
(5) RATE INFORMATION FROM NEIGHBORING OR SIMIL ARLY 23
SITUATED STATES ; AND 24
(6) ACCESS–TO–CARE METRICS , INCLUDING: 25
(I) THE NUMBER OF CONSUME RS RECEIVING APPLICA BLE 26
SERVICES; AND 27
(II) THE NUMBER OF UTILIZA TION HOURS FOR APPLI CABLE 28
SERVICE CATEGORIES ; 29
(III) A DESCRIPTION OF HOW T HE STATE MAINTAINS THE 30
MEDICAID WAIVER WAITI NG LIST FOR HOME – AND COMMUNITY –BASED SERVICES ; 31
8 SENATE BILL 920
(IV) THE NUMBER OF INDIVID UALS ON THE WAITING LIST; 1
(V) THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF TIME NEW WAIVER ENRO LLEES 2
WAITED TO ENROLL ; AND 3
(VI) THE NUMBER OF TIMES I NDIVIDUALS MUST RE –APPLY TO 4
RECEIVE SERVICES . 5
(C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONS ULT THE ADVISORY GROUP BEFORE 6
MAKING CHANGES TO PA YMENT RATES FOR APPL ICABLE SERVICE CATEG ORIES AND 7
SHALL AFFORD DEFEREN CE TO THE ADVISORY GROUP’S RECOMMENDATIONS . 8
(D) (1) TO SUPPORT THE ADVISORY GROUP AND ENGAGE THE BROADER 9
DIRECT CARE WORKFORC E AND CONSUMERS ACRO SS THE STATE, THE 10
DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVE LOP A PUBLIC EDUCATI ON AND COMMUNICATION PLAN 11
TO INFORM DIRECT CAR E WORKERS AND DIRECT CARE CONSUMERS OF : 12
(I) THE ADVISORY GROUP, ITS PURPOSE , MEETINGS, AND 13
OPPORTUNITIES FOR IN PUT; AND 14
(II) A SUMMARY OF ITS ANNUA L REPORT AND ANY 15
RECOMMENDATIONS . 16
(2) THE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION PL AN MUST: 17
(I) ENSURE BROAD LANGUAGE ACCESS AND BE CULTUR ALLY 18
COMPETENT ; 19
(II) USE TARGETED METHODS THAT WILL EFFECTIVEL Y 20
ENGAGE DIRECT CARE W ORKERS AND DIRECT CA RE CONSUM ERS, INCLUDING 21
ADVERTISING AND OTHE R MARKETING TOOLS ; 22
(III) INCLUDE AN OPTION FOR DIRECT CARE WORKERS AND 23
DIRECT CARE CONSUMER S TO PROVIDE INFORMA TION, INCLUDING A MAILING 24
ADDRESS, E–MAIL ADDRESS , OR TELEPHONE NUMBER , FOR PURPOSES OF 25
RECEIVING ONGOING COMMUNICATION FROM T HE DEPARTMENT CONCERNING THE 26
ADVISORY GROUP AND OPPORTUNITI ES FOR ENGAGEMENT WI TH THE ADVISORY 27
GROUP; AND 28
(IV) REQUIRE EACH RESIDENT IAL SERVICE AGENCY T O 29
PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING THE ADVISORY GROUP DIRECTLY TO ITS 30
EMPLOYEES. 31
15–1205. 32 SENATE BILL 920 9
(A) THE ADVISORY GROUP SHALL: 1
(1) EVALUATE THE SUFFICIE NCY OF MEDICAID PAYMENT RATE S FOR 2
APPLICABLE SERVICE C ATEGORIES; AND 3
(2) EXAMINE WORKING CONDI TIONS FOR THE DIRECT CARE 4
WORKFORCE , INCLUDING CURRENT WA GE RATES AND OFFERED BENEFITS, 5
INITIATIVES FOR RETE NTION AND RECRUITMEN T OF WORKERS , TRAINING 6
REQUIREMENTS , AND ACCESS TO WORKER ORGANIZATIONS ; 7
(3) EVALUATE CHALLENGES T O ACCESSING CARE FOR APPLICABLE 8
MEDICAID HOME – AND COMMUNITY –BASED SERVICES ; AND 9
(4) DEVELOP A COMMUNICATI ON PLAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT ’S 10
ENGAGEMENT WITH DIRE CT CARE WORKERS AND CONSUMERS . 11
(B) (1) ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1 EACH YEAR, BEGINNING IN 2026, 12
THE ADVISORY GROUP SHALL REPORT IT S ACTIVITIES AND REC OMMENDATIONS TO 13
THE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT 14
ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 15
(2) THE REPORT OF THE ADVISORY GROUP SHALL ADDRESS : 16
(I) RECOMMENDATIONS FOR I NCREASING MEDICAID 17
PAYMENT RATES FOR AP PLICABLE SERVICE CAT EGORIES; 18
(II) EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS FOR DIRECT CARE W ORKERS, 19
INCLUDING A WAGE FLO OR AND EFFORTS TO CO MBAT MISCLASSIFICATI ON OF 20
EMPLOYEES; 21
(III) REMOVING BARRIERS TO ACCESS TO CARE AND 22
RECOMMENDATIONS ON H OW TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO QUALITY AND CONTI NUOUS 23
CARE; 24
(IV) MEANS THE STATE CAN USE TO COMM UNICATE 25
INFORMATION TO DIREC T CARE WORKERS AND C ONSUMERS ABOUT THE P URVIEW 26
OF THE ADVISORY GROUP, ITS PURPOSE, ITS MEETINGS AND HEA RINGS, AND 27
OPPORTUNITIES TO PRO VIDE INPUT; AND 28
(V) THE ADVISORY GROUP’S REVIEW OF ANY RACI AL, GENDER, 29
OR ECONOMIC DISPARIT IES IMPACTING DIRECT CARE WORKERS OR CONSUMERS 30
AND EXAMPLES OF RATE S AND DELIVERY SYSTE MS FOR APPLICABLE SE RVICES IN 31 10 SENATE BILL 920
OTHER STATES WITH FA VORABLE CONDITIONS F OR DIRECT CARE WORKE RS AND 1
CONSUMERS . 2
(3) ANY RECOMMENDATIONS A DOPTED BY THE ADVISORY GROUP 3
MUST RECE IVE AN AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF AT LEAST SEVEN ME MBERS A MAJORITY 4
VOTE. 5
(4) BEFORE THE SUBMISSION OF THE REPORT UNDER PARAGRAPH 6
(1) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REVI EW THE REPORT ON 7
RECEIPT FROM THE ADVISORY GROUP AND WITHIN 60 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING THE 8
REPORT RESPOND TO AN Y RECOMMENDATION , INCLUDING ANY JUSTIF ICATION FOR 9
DECLINING TO IMPLEME NT A RECOMMENDATION OF THE ADVISORY GROUP. 10
(5) FOLLOWING THE DEPARTMENT ’S REVIEW OF THE ANNU AL 11
REPORT, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL : 12
(I) PROVIDE THE ADVISORY GROUP WITH AN OPPORTU NITY 13
TO MAKE CHANGES TO T HE REPORT; AND 14
(II) (C) POST THE DEPARTMENT SHALL POST THE REPORT 15
TO THE DEPARTMENT ’S WEBSITE WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE REPOR T HAS BEEN 16
FINALIZED. 17
(C) (D) THE ADVISORY GROUP MAY HOLD OPPORT UNITIES TO SOLICIT 18
AND COLLECT TESTIMON Y FROM THE PUBLIC AN D INVITE INPUT FROM EMPLOYER 19
ORGANIZATIONS , WORKER ORGANIZATIONS , CONSUMER ADVOCACY GR OUPS, AND 20
OTHER STAKEHOLDERS I N THE DIRECT CARE IN DUSTRY. 21
(D) (E) (1) AN EMPLOYER OR STATE AGENCY MAY NOT TAKE 22
RETALIATORY ACTION AGAINS T A DIRECT CARE WORK ER OR CONSUMER FOR 23
PARTICIPATION IN THE ADVISORY GROUP. 24
(2) THIS SECTION DOES NOT LIMIT THE RIGHTS OF DIRECT CARE 25
WORKERS UNDER STATE OR FEDERAL EMPL OYMENT OR LABOR LAW , OR 26
COLLECTIVE BARGAININ G AGREEMENTS . 27
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Deputy Secretary of 28
Health Care Financing, or the Deputy Secretary’s designee, shall appoint the initial 29
members of the Maryland Interested Parties Advisory Group on or before October 1, 2025. 30
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 31
1, 2025. 32