[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6338865,"mediaKeyId","2267074-67e122754db89f5319fe704f877eec75","parentId",2267074,"title","Panel urges permanent funding for Maryland’s Access to Counsel in Evictions program","audioSeconds",411,"startMs",3309000,"endMs",3720000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2267074-67e122754db89f5319fe704f877eec75&start=3309&end=3720","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2267074-67e122754db89f5319fe704f877eec75/thumbnail_3309000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6338865/Maryland/Panel-urges-permanent-funding-for-Marylands-Access-to-Counsel-in-Evictions-program","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6338865-b39a29bed517401a18c953b7be565702/orig.mp4?Expires=1775960320&Signature=IMQcNvHzJyPEs~d~VKVBeUriP6RtIklmyGv7jNvDmEXoChW202OOsNKB-lFGi7YeRvi5vM7-q5Nys4JkepPggr2cAAXBK5c7n9nFZORNsATIjQ2pjI06zNz7w6wWNhRldsJBWZmNj9Yq~nbzBaO3F79yYjMwVUuSgZ7AvRmv0FremS5meDMxIhuethFm4WgE64vimEPXYkhX-4EEy5ngD5GVc7hUjJJbG74E-9fgLfZFq5usZInlJ8YoDXhwsgNfQZhXYSEYxe8S2Y3oByA8Lz3HHflEu8k4i~y6-zHFxIUMJ4Ixl5eozAlPhmOKhVoBVPN~jMxu3Wre4r~0YM~EWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MGA - APP","date","2025-02-11T00:00:00Z","article","House Bill 103 would remove the sunset on funding for Maryland's Access to Counsel in Evictions (ACE) program and make the current $14 million annual contribution from the state's abandoned property fund a permanent source for the program.

Former Attorney General Brian Frosh, who helped create the program, described ACE as a \"paradigm of success\" and urged the committee to retain funding. \"The record of this access to counsel and evictions program over the past couple of years... has been really a paradigm of success,\" Frosh said.

Michelle Siri, executive director of the Maryland Legal Services Corporation (MLSC), said MLSC administers the ACE coordinated intake system and that the program expanded statewide and served almost 9,000 tenants in the most recent year. An independent report attached to MLSC testimony estimated fiscal and economic benefits: roughly $46.7 million in state-level savings, $6 million in tenant savings and nearly $1 million in recoveries. Siri said 88% of tenants who wanted to remain in their homes were able to do so with counsel.

Vicky Schultz of Maryland Legal Aid and other legal-aid representatives said ACE closes an equity gap: prior to ACE only about 1% of tenants had counsel, while about 96% of landlords were represented. Witnesses and task-force staff called ACE a high return-on-investment program and said permanent funding would allow continued statewide coordinated intake, expanded local services and ongoing evaluation.

Attorney General's Office staff and the ACE task force supported making the $14 million contribution permanent and recommended winding down the task force after 2026, after implementation targets are met and the task force files its final report.

Ending: Supporters urged a favorable report to remove the sunset, make the ACE funding permanent and allow the statewide eviction‑counsel system to continue without interruption; no committee vote was recorded in the hearing transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","APP Committee Session, 2/11/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","Witnesses told the House Appropriations Committee that the ACE program — Access to Counsel in Evictions — has produced an 88% success rate for tenants who want to remain housed and generated large state savings, and testimony asked the committee to make funding from abandoned property permanent.","taxTitle","Appropriations Committee, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Maryland","taxId",15058,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6338869,"Maryland lawmakers hear bill to rebase and index state share of WMATA capital funding",244,1966000,2210000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2267074-67e122754db89f5319fe704f877eec75&start=1966&end=2210","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2267074-67e122754db89f5319fe704f877eec75/thumbnail_1966000.jpg","/articles/6338869/Maryland/Maryland-lawmakers-hear-bill-to-rebase-and-index-state-share-of-WMATA-capital-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6338869-e365485f63f9f6e7e167c56c47b712ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1775960320&Signature=ZMFaBTOGvnCsxGHig0ERTpsRzLFduqhn1vqJkz4z5pXE5OcbielBXkkaRZY3J88qTKzE2-~Qj2uQYsUXjMdI01RYXIRRpxwxiFGARQlFI9BPDQKMLXSP0hC2jQ4iXvh4HK5QhvjJXtzkJSqXErL0-yhf-XPc4yNYBYaURhP7PdJuSEkT9fmJ4QwghgHtKELei9wrE3cRVKSdmPVBudtblvYd5KYc15SQJ7YrgVe20z13jHkr7JTlBxFxVNUnAJCyxnj3bvGHrHbQlBG-yAPtbqGHTISOmPmfQneD~GXtdKriiWa-MqwFIjH4Kh6vn4rQA1s3QHLPXMqkSBHHz5Q6JA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 467 would modify Maryland's dedicated capital contribution to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) by rebasing the state's share and applying a 3% growth adjustment and linkage to WMATA's operating subsidy formula, supporters said.

Delegate Korman told the House Appropriations Committee the 2018 agreement that created dedicated capital funding for Metro used a fixed $500 million regional capital target and a Maryland share of about $167 million; inflation and higher costs have eroded buying power. \"That $500,000,000 was not pegged to grow in any way,\" he said, adding the bill would rebase Maryland's share and peg it to grow at a 3% level while aligning the state share with the WMATA operating subsidy formula.

Charlie Scott, WMATA executive, and ATU Local 689 representatives described program results since 2018: improved track safety, fleet reliability and rising customer satisfaction. Scott said retrofitted fare gates and capital upgrades produced an 82% drop in station fare evasion where retrofits were completed.

Union representatives supported the bill as a means to stabilize WMATA's capital program and protect recent safety and reliability gains. Benjamin Lin of ATU Local 689 said past investments were \"a game changer\" and described capital borrowing to cover operating shortfalls as a recurring risk.

Committee members raised concerns about linking a larger share of state transportation funding to regional transit and the potential for trade-offs with other state transportation priorities, such as road and bridge maintenance. WMATA officials said the dedicated capital funding has helped but must grow to avoid future shortfalls; they noted the system remains heavily labor intensive and said the authority had identified $500 million in combined savings across capital and operating budgets.

No committee vote on HB 467 was recorded in the hearing transcript.

Ending: If enacted, HB 467 would rebase and index Maryland's dedicated capital share for Metro to better align with inflation and WMATA's operating formula; supporters said the change is intended to preserve safety, reliability and capital buying power.","Delegate Korman and Metro officials urged the House Appropriations Committee to rebase Maryland's dedicated capital funding for WMATA and index it to inflation so Maryland's contribution keeps pace with rising costs.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6338874,"Committee hears bill to codify Maryland Assistive Technology Program and let it charge fees for new services",300,1608000,1908000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2267074-67e122754db89f5319fe704f877eec75&start=1608&end=1908","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2267074-67e122754db89f5319fe704f877eec75/thumbnail_1608000.jpg","/articles/6338874/Maryland/Committee-hears-bill-to-codify-Maryland-Assistive-Technology-Program-and-let-it-charge-fees-for-new-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6338874-0182e0a78dcffa50fbfbbcec3f77f2a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775960320&Signature=iPyKu2VIw8nEcXPTbHzjHufkSqGAAsdHXGX09z3k9kWtEU1HZj~TNwPd3FVajXSVMqOLVvT4tRnG92mV4iRHSjpUr9ToOYBiqouWTe0yPhHfGhZOTp5wPFuzs~6tl~fO9ovvLLqYW46CQpuglINg7wugT9SbfAQVMvyBJXDwg18TuvDnfQYs4SGdivvi0JcTM3FqtZR6rGVyq0LxBGYl2T0Qy1V3uznKoBtd-dV8MylXf~MT2vF7q4Lio2xYskjEM3X0cNSgQZWf8AtZ36TA5D2NGg4iMyA5iSHTwkpYVVUdPVkHhbPOso215dXDtMLreOjZC4X8~Zk5AwcGo4N6bQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 214 would add the Maryland Assistive Technology Program (TAP) to state statute, authorize TAP to perform additional assistive-technology (AT) services beyond its current federal grant, and allow the program to charge reasonable fees for some of those new services.

Carol Beatty, secretary of the Maryland Department of Disabilities, told the House Appropriations Committee that TAP exists today under federal funding only and cannot undertake non‑federal activities or retain revenue. \"TAP is not in state law,\" Beatty said. The bill would codify TAP into the statute that established the Department of Disabilities and authorize a special fund to receive modest fee revenue; the department estimated initial revenue at roughly $25,000 annually.

Laurie Barong, executive director of MDTAP, described the program's current federally funded services — consultations, demonstrations, training and device libraries — and asked the committee to let the program begin providing AT assessments. Barong said a comprehensive AT assessment typically requires about four hours of clinician contact and produces clinical documentation similar to a medical prescription. She told the committee TAP declined more than 450 requests for full AT assessments between 2023 and 2024 because the federal grant does not pay for assessments.

Under HB 214 those free AT services currently covered by the federal grant would remain free, witnesses said, while fee‑for‑service assessments and similar activities would be authorized and their fees placed into a TAP special fund to sustain program operations without relying on state general‑fund appropriations. The bill would not initially require state general fund support, according to testimony.

Committee members asked about fees, service access and the potential for the new authority to affect federal funding. Witnesses said the aim is modest revenue to expand services, and emphasized that TAP would preserve current free services and prioritize access for people the federal grant already serves.

Ending: The bill would codify MDTAP in state law and authorize limited fee‑for‑service operations, with TAP-specific revenue placed in a special fund to support expanded AT assessments and related services.","House Bill 214 would codify the Maryland Assistive Technology Program (MDTAP/TAP) in state law, allow new fee-for-service assistive-technology assessments, and create a special fund to retain modest revenue for program sustainability.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6338879,"Maryland hearing backs bill to create Office of Disability Employment to boost state hiring",460,230000,690000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2267074-67e122754db89f5319fe704f877eec75&start=230&end=690","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2267074-67e122754db89f5319fe704f877eec75/thumbnail_230000.jpg","/articles/6338879/Maryland/Maryland-hearing-backs-bill-to-create-Office-of-Disability-Employment-to-boost-state-hiring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6338879-e3218ca18bea2cd4de26d03e2dbff1d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775960320&Signature=HkIvOuZk4bod5ImINygkU--fwWXdSbqDWiPI3W2SCNRffuhfNEZxMOgf9LX5-Waaqbryu4YvcWhe99jNyIE0Mk8STjqwgaqypHJDcLX-ufiN~L6kPkpwRThhp8K8dtlmglKwGVciyO7FwNrFfUHIrmcwa4VSt0cGyCMeoJAZfJ2zo4EjlvgouJhe~SnPeSPyLQyuhi0LkjJvn9Ajc1T84~q40rXDeSLHtz51pC0gKghMSZEhM7nfvAXQ1ya~MVtVVDYOp4bBct06cVTNzmheIbC1KzMghQY6-A37KdMOficODIpR1YvsQ03hv60JmYnvKqOCe9e5oe4TYIJ~QlVrLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 502 would establish an Office of Disability Employment within the Maryland Department of Disabilities to coordinate recruitment, hiring, retention and advancement of people with disabilities across state agencies.

Supporters told the House Appropriations Committee that the state faces a labor shortage and that disability-inclusive hiring is underused. \"Right now, only 45 percent of Marylanders with disabilities between the ages of 18 to 64 are employed compared to 79 percent of those without disabilities. That's not a gap. It's a missed opportunity,\" Lieutenant Governor Miller said while urging a favorable report on HB 502.

The bill would begin an \"State as a Model Employer\" initiative in FY 2027 and draw on policy lessons from the National Governors Association's disability-inclusive workforce collaborative, witnesses said. Carol Beatty, secretary of the Maryland Department of Disabilities, told the committee the proposed office would build on 21 years of the department's coordination work and would rely on interagency partnerships already formed during bill planning.

Advocates emphasized both workforce and workplace benefits. Ronza Othman, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, said the office would provide training for supervisors, funding and support for assistive-technology assessments and outreach to encourage people with disabilities to apply for state jobs. \"This program will get people with disabilities into the workforce,\" Othman said, adding that increased employment reduces reliance on social services.

Panelists gave specific examples of success from existing programs. Carol Beatty and speakers pointed to Project SEARCH at Montgomery County Department of Transportation: a program that trained and ultimately led to a long-term hire managers described as a clear workplace success story. Bong Del Rosario, director of transportation policy for the Maryland Department of Disabilities, described how recruitment and outreach changed his view of state government as a career option and how MDOD hires people who use paratransit to travel for work.

Supporters representing community providers — including Mary Manzoni of Maryland Works and Bruce Bariano of BISM — said the office would amplify existing provider work, increase employer capacity and could reduce costs by increasing employment and tax contributions.

No formal vote or amendment was recorded during the hearing. Committee members asked questions about budget and how the office would avoid reducing direct service funding; witnesses said the office would emphasize coordination and technical assistance and that many partner agencies had already committed to support implementation if the law passes.

The panel closed urging a favorable report to the committee; no formal committee action was recorded in the hearing transcript.

Ending: If enacted as written, HB 502 would create a staffed office in MDOD and begin a State as a Model Employer initiative in FY 2027 to promote the hiring and retention of workers with disabilities across Maryland state government.","Supporters told the House Appropriations Committee that House Bill 502 would create an Office of Disability Employment within the Maryland Department of Disabilities to increase hiring, retention and advancement of people with disabilities in state government.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Panel urges permanent funding for Maryland’s Access to Counsel in Evictions program

Maryland lawmakers hear bill to rebase and index state share of WMATA capital funding

Committee hears bill to codify Maryland Assistive Technology Program and let it charge fees for new services

Maryland hearing backs bill to create Office of Disability Employment to boost state hiring