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.
*sb0809*

SENATE BILL 809
O2, O3 6lr1790
CF HB 1280
By: Senator King
Introduced and read first time: February 6, 2026
Assigned to: Finance
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
Senate action: Adopted
Read second time: March 2, 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

(ii) 1. is at least 60 years old and is cared for by an adult relative 17
or informal caregiver who is at least 18 years old; 18
2 SENATE BILL 809

2. has Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder and is cared 1
for by an adult relative or informal caregiver who is at least 18 years old; 2

3. is a child with developmental or functional disabilities and 3
is cared for by a parent, grandparent, or other relative; or 4

4. is an adult with de velopmental or functional disabilities 5
and is cared for by a parent, grandparent, or other relative. 6

(b) (1) The Office of the Comptroller University of Maryland, College Park , 7
with assistance from the Department, shall study and make recommendations on the 8
feasibility of establishing and operating a Supporting Our Caregiver Infrastructure 9
Program to provide universal monthly payments to a caregiver for each dependent for 10
whom a caregiver provides care. 11

(2) In conducting the study required under paragr aph (1) of this 12
subsection, the Office of the Comptroller University of Maryland, College Park, in 13
consultation with the Office of the Comptroller, shall examine the economic impact on the 14
State and local economies, including: 15

(i) potential increased labor force participation; 16

(ii) enhanced tax revenues; 17

(iii) potential decreased participation in public benefits programs in 18
the State; and 19

(iv) the overall economic vitality of the State. 20

(3) The University of Maryland, College Park shall explore appropriate 21
amounts for caregiver stipends that maximize the benefit to the State economy and 22
minimize the fiscal impact on the State budget. 23

(3) (4) The Department shall assist the Office of the Comptroller University of 24
Maryland, College Park in conducting the study required under paragraph (1) of this 25
subsection by: 26

(i) identifying available and potential federal, State, and local 27
funding sources for the program; 28

(ii) identifying the administrative needs, administrative costs, and 29
operating costs associated with the development and implementation of the program; and 30

(iii) exploring appropriate amounts for caregiver stipends that 31
maximize the benefit to the State economy and minimize the fiscal impact on the State 32
budget; and 33
SENATE BILL 809 3

(iv) (iii) consulting with: 1

1. the Maryland Department of Aging; 2

2. the Maryland Department of Health; and 3

3. local agencies on aging and disabilities, including a unit of 4
local government or a private, nonprofit corporation. 5

(c) On or bef ore July 1, 2027 2028, the Office of the Comptroller University of 6
Maryland, College Park shall submit a final report of its findings, conclusions, and 7
recommendations to the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Budget and Taxation 8
Committee, the House App ropriations Committee, and the House Health Committee, in 9
accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article. 10

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 11
1, 2026. It shall remain effective for a period of 2 3 years and, at the end of June 30, 2028 12
2029, this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated 13
and of no further force and effect. 14

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