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EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0440*
HOUSE BILL 440
J1 6lr1859
By: Delegates Kaufman, Acevero, Cardin, Lewis, Lopez, Ruff, Wims, and Woorman
Introduced and read first time: January 22, 2026
Assigned to: Health
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Maryland Medical Assistance Program – Individuals With Intellectual and 2
Developmental Disabilities – Provider Reimbursement 3
FOR the purpose of requiring the Maryland Department of Health to establish an enhanced 4
reimbursement structure for Maryland Medicaid Assistance Program providers that 5
deliver medical services to individuals with intellectual and developmental 6
disabilities; and generally rel ating to the Maryland Medical Assistance Program 7
reimbursement for services to individuals with intellectual and developmental 8
disabilities. 9
BY adding to 10
Article – Health – General 11
Section 15–114.2 12
Annotated Code of Maryland 13
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 14
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 15
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 16
Article – Health – General 17
15–114.2. 18
(A) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTABLISH AN ENHANCED REIMBURSEMENT 19
STRUCTURE FOR PROGRAM PROV IDERS THAT DELIVER M EDICAL SERVICES TO 20
INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. 21
(B) THE ENHANCED REIMBURS EMENT STRUCTURE ESTABLISHED UNDER 22
SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION SHALL INCLUDE: 23
2 HOUSE BILL 440
(1) AUTHORITY FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO SET REIMBURSEMENT 1
RATES ABOVE STANDARD PROGRAM RATES FOR QUALIFYING SERVICES; 2
(2) AUTHORITY FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE RECURRING AN D 3
SUSTAINABLE ADJUSTME NTS TO THE RATES TO SUPPORT PROVIDER ACC ESS, 4
SERVICE CAPACITY, AND CLINICAL QUALITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL 5
AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES; AND 6
(3) PROVISIONS THAT PRIOR ITIZE RATE INCREASES FOR SERVICES 7
THAT REQUIRE ADDITIO NAL TIME, COMMUNICATION SUPPORTS, OR SPECIALIZED 8
CLINICAL TRAINING. 9
(C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL A DOPT REGULATIONS NEC ESSARY TO 10
IMPLEMENT AND ADMINI STER THE ENHANCED REIMBURSEME NT STRUCTURE , 11
INCLUDING PROVIDER ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND RATE SCHEDULES. 12
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 13
(a) This Act is contingent on the availability of federal funds through the federal 14
Health Equity for Adults with Disabilities (HEADs UP) Act or any other federal law or 15
funding stream supporting health care equity for individuals with intellectual or 16
developmental disabilities. 17
(b) The Maryland Department of Health shall consult with the Office of the 18
Attorney General to determine whether federal funds to implement this section have been 19
made available through the federal Health Equity for Adults with Disabilities Act or any 20
other federal law or funding stream described under subsection (a) of this section. 21
(c) Within 5 days after making the determination that federal funds are available 22
to implement this Act, the Maryland Department of Health shall notify the Department of 23
Legislative Services. 24
(d) If notice of the availability of federal funds is received by the Department of 25
Legislative Services on or before December 31, 20 36, this Act shall take effect on the date 26
the notice is received by the Department of Legislative Services in accordanc e with 27
subsection (c) of this section. 28
(e) If notice of the availability of federal funds is not received by the Department 29
of Legislative Services on or before December 31, 20 36, this Act, with no further action 30
required by the General Assembly, shall be null and void. 31
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, subject to Section 2 of this 32
Act, this Act shall take effect October 1, 2026. 33