Bill > HB384

This bill establishes the Maryland Disability Service Animal Program within the Department of Disabilities to help individuals with disabilities obtain service animals. The program will select nonprofit training entities to develop training protocols and help match eligible participants with appropriate service animals. Specifically, the bill defines a service animal as an animal individually trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability, explicitly excluding emotional support animals. The program will create a special fund to support these efforts, with the state committing to an annual $25,000 appropriation. The fund can accept donations and will be used to pay nonprofit training entities and cover administrative costs. Importantly, the bill includes a contingency clause that makes the program's implementation dependent on the Department of Disabilities certifying it has sufficient staff to administer the program by October 1, 2026. If the department cannot staff the program adequately by that date, the legislation will become null and void. The program aims to provide additional funding mechanisms and support to help individuals with disabilities access and train with service animals.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0384?ys=2025RS