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SB 920

Relating to Oregon State University Extension Service oversight of behavioral health promotion; and declaring an emergency.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Daniel Bonham and 3 co-sponsors

Creates a statutorily established group to advise on Medicaid HCBS payment rates, access, and direct-care workforce in Maryland, with consumer and worker input.

Effective date, May 28, 2025.
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Bill Summary · SB 920

Summary — SB 920: Public Health — Maryland Interested Parties Advisory Group (IPAG)

Status: Enacted (Signed by Governor 5/30/2025) — Effective 9/1/2025
Primary sponsor: Sen. Gile (companion HB 1142; related HB 3029, HB 3397)

Purpose / Intent

SB 920 codifies in Maryland law the federally required Interested Parties Advisory Group (IPAG) within the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) (per 42 C.F.R. § 447.203, CMS’s “Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services” rule). The group’s primary purpose is to advise and consult on Medicaid payment-rate sufficiency and access to certain Medicaid home- and community-based services (HCBS), and to help ensure an adequate, qualified direct care workforce.

Key provisions

  • Establishes the “Maryland Interested Parties Advisory Group” under a new Subtitle 12 (Health – General, §§15‑1201–15‑1205).
  • Defines terms including “applicable service categories” (homemaker, home health aide, personal care, habilitation) and “direct care worker.”
  • Membership and leadership:
    • Chaired by the Deputy Secretary for Health Care Financing (or designee); includes the Secretary of Labor (or designee).
    • Appointed members include consumers (3), consumer‑organization representatives (2), direct care workers (3), worker‑organization representatives (2), provider association representatives (3 — two from residential service agencies and one from an employer trade association), one representative of the general public, and a nonvoting, data‑literate advisory member from the Division of Health Care Financing and Medicaid.
    • Appointments follow a publicly accessible application process; selection criteria published on MDH’s website.
    • Terms: 3 years, staggered; members serve until successors qualify. Members receive no compensation but are eligible for travel/expense reimbursement.
  • Meetings and operations:
    • Meetings begin November 1, 2025 (statute sets meeting frequency; the enacted text contemplates regular meetings to maximize participation).
    • MDH must provide staff, logistical and financial support to facilitate meaningful participation of consumers and direct care workers.
    • MDH must maintain a dedicated IPAG webpage with application info, member lists, meeting notices (≥30 days’ notice), agendas, minutes, virtual participation options, and accommodations for disabilities/limited English proficiency.
  • Data and information duties:
    • MDH must provide, ≥30 days before meetings, materials necessary for informed discussion: current and proposed payment rates; federally required information; Bureau of Labor Statistics and other labor/market data; MDH benchmarking/rate studies; comparable state rate information; access‑to‑care metrics; and Maryland Department of Labor workforce data (turnover, vacancies, staffing, compensation, etc.).
  • Reporting:
    • IPAG is required to report its activities and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly on an annual basis (fiscal materials indicate reports due beginning in 2026, typically by September 1).

Who is affected

  • Medicaid beneficiaries who receive HCBS (particularly homemaker, home health aide, personal care, habilitation).
  • Direct care workers and their employers/providers (residential service agencies, provider associations).
  • Consumer and worker advocacy organizations.
  • Maryland Department of Health and Division of Health Care Financing and Medicaid (administrative duties).
  • Potentially small employers in the direct care sector (minimal administrative effects).

Fiscal / administrative impact

  • Fiscal note: codifies an IPAG required by federal regulation; no additional significant fiscal impact expected to MDH beyond implementation of federally required activities. No effect on revenues; local governments unaffected; small businesses minimally affected.
  • MDH must allocate staff/time and post required materials online, but this is expected to be managed within existing resources.

Practical effect

SB 920 creates a formal, statutorily established forum for consumers, workers, providers and other stakeholders to review Medicaid HCBS payment rates, workforce metrics, and access measures — providing structured stakeholder input into rate sufficiency and workforce adequacy decisions that affect access to community‑based long‑term services and supports in Maryland.

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

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