Supporting Our Caregiver Infrastructure Program - Feasibility Study

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING 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.
*hb1280*

HOUSE BILL 1280
O2, O3 6lr1272
CF SB 809
By: Delegates Wims, Coley, Crutchfield, Kaufman, McComas, Vogel, Wolek, and
Young Young, Alston, Bagnall, Cullison, Guzzone, Hill, S. Johnson, Lopez,
Martinez, Rosenberg, Ross, Taveras, White Holland, and Woorman
Introduced and read first time: February 12, 2026
Assigned to: Health
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
House action: Adopted
Read second time: March 3, 2026

CHAPTER ______

AN ACT concerning 1

Supporting Our Caregiver Infrastructure Program – Feasibility Study 2

FOR the purpose of requiring the Office of the Comptroller University of Maryland, College 3
Park, with assistance from the Department of Human Services, to conduct a certain 4
feasibility study for establishing and operating the Supporting Our Caregiver 5
Infrastructure Program; and generally relating to a feasibility study for the 6
Supporting Our Caregiver Infrastructure Program. 7

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 8
That: 9

(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 10

(2) “Caregiver” means an individual who provides care or support to a 11
qualified family member. 12

(3) “Department” means the Department of Human Services. 13

(4) “Qualified family member” means an individual who: 14

(i) requires assistance with one or more daily living activities, as 15
certified by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or registered nurse practitioner; and 16

2 HOUSE BILL 1280

(ii) 1. is at least 60 years old and is cared for by an adult relative 1
or informal caregiver who is at least 18 years old; 2

2. has Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder and is cared 3
for by an adult relative or informal caregiver who is at least 18 years old; 4

3. is a child with developmental or functional disabilities and 5
is cared for by a parent, grandparent, or other relative; or 6

4. is an adult with developmental or functional disabilities 7
and is cared for by a parent, grandparent, or other relative. 8

(b) (1) The Office of the Comptroller University of Maryland, College Park , 9
with assistance from the Department, shall study and make recommendations on the 10
feasibility of establishing and operating a Supporting Our Caregiver Infrastructure 11
Program to provide universal monthly payments to a caregiver for each dependent for 12
whom a caregiver provides care. 13

(2) In conducting the study required under paragraph (1) of this 14
subsection, the Office of the Comptroller University of Maryland, College Park, in 15
consultation with the Office of the Comptroller, shall examine the economic impact on the 16
State and local economies, including: 17

(i) potential increased labor force participation; 18

(ii) enhanced tax revenues; 19

(iii) potential decreased participation in public benefits programs in 20
the State; and 21

(iv) the overall economic vitality of the State. 22

(3) The University of Maryland, College Park shall explore appropriate 23
amounts for caregiver stipends that max imize the benefit to the State economy and 24
minimize the fiscal impact on the State budget. 25

(3) (4) The Department shall assist the Office of the Comptroller University of 26
Maryland, College Park in conducting the study required under paragraph (1) of thi s 27
subsection by: 28

(i) identifying available and potential federal, State, and local 29
funding sources for the program; 30

(ii) identifying the administrative needs, administrative costs, and 31
operating costs associated with the development and implementation of the program; and 32

HOUSE BILL 1280 3

(iii) exploring appropriate amounts for caregiver stipends that 1
maximize the benefit to the State economy and minimize the fiscal impact on the State 2
budget; and 3

(iv) (iii) consulting with: 4

1. the Maryland Department of Aging; 5

2. the Maryland Department of Health; and 6

3. local agencies on aging and disabilities, including a unit of 7
local government or a private, nonprofit corporation. 8

(c) On or before July 1, 2027 2028, the Office of the Comptroller University of 9
Maryland, College Park shall submit a final report of its findings, conclusions, and 10
recommendations to the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Budget and Taxation 11
Committee, the House Appropriations Committee, and the House Health Committee, in 12
accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article. 13

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 14
1, 2026. It shall remain effective for a period of 2 3 years and, at the end of June 30, 2028 15
2029, this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated 16
and of no further force and effect. 17

Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.