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HB 1015

Developmental Disabilities Services - Expedited Eligibility Determinations for Recently Relocated Individuals (Ralph's Act)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tiffany Alston and 17 co-sponsors

HB 1015 accelerates eligibility determinations for individuals with developmental disabilities relocating to Maryland, reducing service access delays for vulnerable populations.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 184
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Bill Summary · HB 1015

Legislative bill overview

HB 1015 (Ralph's Act) establishes an expedited eligibility determination process for individuals with developmental disabilities who have recently relocated to Maryland. The bill streamlines the typical assessment and approval timeline to help newly arrived residents access developmental disability services more quickly. It addresses gaps in service continuity for people moving into the state who previously received similar services elsewhere.

Why is this important

Individuals with developmental disabilities often depend on continuous access to support services for daily functioning, employment, and community integration. Delays in eligibility determinations during relocation can create dangerous service gaps and hardship for vulnerable populations and their families. Expedited processes can reduce administrative burden while maintaining necessary safeguards to ensure appropriate service allocation.

Potential points of contention

  • Verification standards: Questions about how thoroughly prior eligibility from other states will be verified and whether different state standards create inconsistencies in who qualifies
  • Fiscal impact: Concerns about potential increased state spending if expedited eligibility results in higher enrollment or service costs than anticipated
  • Implementation capacity: Whether the Department of Disabilities has adequate staffing and resources to process expedited determinations without compromising other applicants' processing times

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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