Bill > SB721

This bill, also known as Ralph's Act, aims to streamline the process for individuals with developmental disabilities who have recently relocated to Maryland to continue receiving essential services. It requires the Department of Health to establish an expedited process for determining eligibility for services, specifically for those who were previously receiving similar home and community-based waiver services in another state for at least 10 years and moved to Maryland due to the death or incapacitation of their caretaker. The bill defines "dependent" as an individual relying on a Maryland resident immediate family member for support or having a Maryland resident immediate family member as their legal guardian, and clarifies "immediate family member" to include spouses, parents, grandparents, siblings, and children. While the original intent was a 30-day determination, the bill now mandates the Department to complete these expedited eligibility determinations within 60 business days, prioritizing applications and allowing reliance on documentation from the previous state, but without waiving substantive eligibility requirements. The bill also specifies that eligible individuals will be placed in a crisis resolution category and given access to waiver services based on their previous state's services, and it will take effect on July 1, 2027.