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HB 1117

Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Council and the Advisory Stakeholder Group on Autism-Related Needs - Recommendations for Elopement Response Devices

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

Maryland directs councils to recommend elopement response devices for individuals with Alzheimer's, dementia, and autism to improve safety and wandering prevention.

Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance
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Bill Summary · HB 1117

Legislative bill overview

HB 1117 directs Maryland's Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Council and an Advisory Stakeholder Group on Autism-Related Needs to study and make recommendations regarding elopement response devices—technologies designed to locate individuals who wander away, particularly those with cognitive impairments. The bill appears to focus on identifying best practices and potential implementation strategies for these safety devices.

Why is this important

Elopement (wandering away) poses serious safety risks for individuals with Alzheimer's, dementia, and autism spectrum disorder, sometimes resulting in injury, trauma, or death. Establishing evidence-based recommendations could help families, caregivers, and healthcare providers make informed decisions about available technologies and potentially improve outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and access equity: Elopement response devices can be expensive; recommendations may raise questions about who bears costs and whether low-income families will have equal access to recommended solutions
  • Privacy concerns: GPS tracking and monitoring devices raise civil liberties questions about surveillance, consent, and the balance between safety and individual autonomy
  • Device effectiveness and standardization: Different devices have varying reliability and features; disagreement may arise over which technologies should be recommended or whether standards should be mandated

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

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