Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB1015: Developmental Disabilities Services - Expedited Eligibility Determinations for Recently Relocated Individuals (Ralph's Act)
Status: Signed into law, April 28, 2026
Requiring the Maryland Department of Health to provide an expedited Medicaid eligibility determination for developmental disabilities services to individuals who received certain services in another state and relocated to the State; and requiring the Department to begin the determination process before an individual establishes residency in the State under certain circumstances.
What the bill says
A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Developmental Disabilities Administration - Services - Eligibility for Recently Relocated Individuals (Ralph's Act) FOR the purpose of requiring that certain individuals who were determined to be eligible to receive certain developmental disabilities services in another state be eligible to continue to receive those services in the State; requiring the Department to establish an expedited review process for certain individuals relocating to the State…
From the introduced text, February 6, 2026:
A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Developmental Disabilities Administration - Services - Eligibility for Recently Relocated Individuals (Ralph's Act) FOR the purpose of requiring that certain individuals who were determined to be eligible to receive certain developmental disabilities services in another state be eligible to continue to receive those services in the State; requiring the Department to establish an expedited review process for certain individuals relocating to the State; authorizing the Department to begin the determination process before an individual establishes residency in the State; and generally relating to eligibility for developmental disabilities services in the State. BY adding to Article - Health - General Section 7-404.2 Annotated Code of Maryland (2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Health - General 7-404.2. (A) AN INDIVIDUAL SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE SERVICES FROM THE DEPARTMENT UNDER THIS TITLE IF: (1) THE INDIVIDUAL: EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from exist in g l aw . *hb1015* HOUSE BILL 1015 (I) IS A DEPENDENT OF AN IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER; (II) RECEIVED HOME- AND COMMUNITY-BASED WAIVER SERVICES OR SIMILAR SERVICES UNDER A SIMILAR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN ANOTHER STATE FOR THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING 10 YEARS; AND (III) MOVED …