[{"_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",6659271,"mediaKeyId","2472362-8f7fbfbbba5bfde4debbef449b90f910","parentId",2472362,"title","Child Support Administration: $109.4M allowance; agency seeks correction for omitted reinvestment funds after low amnesty participation","audioSeconds",1082,"startMs",8665000,"endMs",9747000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2472362-8f7fbfbbba5bfde4debbef449b90f910&start=8665&end=9747","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2472362-8f7fbfbbba5bfde4debbef449b90f910/thumbnail_8665000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6659271/Maryland/Child-Support-Administration-1094M-allowance-agency-seeks-correction-for-omitted-reinvestment-funds-after-low-amnesty-participation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659271-11b2b03836a4675fe9bdbad6f00d9172/orig.mp4?Expires=1770871970&Signature=n-Gaa1JtHyF~~daz22u1uDNd3dH9B~Rss0jrefAbhb9rrKKUIHHViPI~kbkWuEvbgyrZ82h316u6Qp6KQNS8jXAmqp48CvMthOhK9HYbruegNqMlWupnzGxlHfGvvW6G5~HPROVcO9l1JbvpWHx~Xfidjg1pcOUgZAaUAwIIXgowdaOXYqYPi5esdJZOC31Rt25ZZ6kqJaZgRoa~wQ~k2NKoYGoLUPDZ06xsjzW7SOwQ6-20Q9NQRhmCdVBUiO8nLSgeZep5zWlS8GYq4-clSYqnwtDeLIv0Q9p0tlCkHpDGO0K3gWpZ7rZsRJEU4VRkdrjpY4p11MKLLUpO78Np6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Maryland General Assembly - Appropriations","date","2025-03-03T18:37:18.403Z","article","The subcommittee reviewed the fiscal 2026 budget and program performance for the Child Support Administration (CSA). DLS reported a fiscal 2026 allowance increase of $7.7 million (7.6 percent), bringing total budget authority to $109.4 million, with personnel costs accounting for the largest share.

Nut graf: Why it matters

A multi‑million‑dollar omission of the Child Support Reinvestment Fund from two successive budget cycles and weak results from a drivers’ license suspension amnesty raise operational and reporting concerns about CSA’s funding, outreach effectiveness and performance metrics.

Key findings from DLS and DHS

- Budget and funding omission: DLS reported that the Child Support Reinvestment Fund (federal incentive funds used for performance‑related investments) was inadvertently omitted from the fiscal 2025 appropriation and the fiscal 2026 allowance. DHS requested that $20,050,163 be restored to both the fiscal 2025 appropriation and fiscal 2026 allowance to reflect projected revenues and to align spending with anticipated special funds. DHS said it was working with the Department of Budget and Management to process the corrective vehicles.

- Performance and reporting: DLS said DHS had not submitted all required performance reports on time and had not included actual federal fiscal 2024 data in its managing‑for‑results submission. DHS stated it had since submitted overdue reports in February 2025 and would work with DBM to update MFR measures.

- Driver’s license suspension amnesty: CSA launched a license‑suspension amnesty intended to help noncustodial parents resolve suspensions related to child support and reinstate driving privileges. DLS reported that between January and August 2024 some 21,563 noncustodial parents were eligible for the program but only 1,127 participated (5.2 percent). Participants collectively owed about $233.5 million in arrears, with an average arrearage of $13,147; the amnesty collected $594,737 (about 0.2 percent of total arrears). DHS said the program did reinstate driving privileges for those participants but noted barriers to participation, including fear of engaging with the program and the difficulty in locating some noncustodial parents.

DHS response and next steps

Principal Deputy Secretary Carnita White and CSA leadership said the agency intended to continue outreach, host expungement and resource fairs, expand the parent incentive program, and collaborate with community partners on employment supports for noncustodial parents. DHS said it would correct the budget omissions through DBM and improve public‑facing performance data quality.

Ending

The subcommittee requested follow‑up reporting on child support performance measures and asked DHS to comment on barriers to amnesty participation. DHS agreed to provide updated performance measures and to continue outreach and process improvements.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","HHR Committee Session, 3/3/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","DLS and DHS flagged an omission of Child Support Reinvestment Fund appropriations in the fiscal 2025 and 2026 budgets and reported that a driver's‑license suspension amnesty had low participation and generated limited arrears collections.","taxTitle","Health and Social Services Subcommittee, Appropriations Committee, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Maryland","taxId",78564,"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},6659275,"Commissions defend grants, trauma funding and AHEAD preparations as advocates press to restore consortium money",3714,4684000,8398000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2472362-8f7fbfbbba5bfde4debbef449b90f910&start=4684&end=8398","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2472362-8f7fbfbbba5bfde4debbef449b90f910/thumbnail_4684000.jpg","/articles/6659275/Maryland/Commissions-defend-grants-trauma-funding-and-AHEAD-preparations-as-advocates-press-to-restore-consortium-money","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659275-e5859ff8fcfbba9ac3772f0fef58d71e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770871970&Signature=hqIW~y0tNeSjg3E7ODa7aoVoaUeAAGKotSmCFmSKQkDfhYTxshQ2KT68rzSbUdejmpOmydYVSrCi6wuw-xHtx2S5pR~pRHZGTr8f1TcgdQ5VTtOUxr59v51HoFXk6wk0CNWAPbwwZj9C9TfmjGu3cwfK50Hf2-mTMPoTWlD2exguVZ3~bqojBsOVurNWmlRaMQFnyGO8P1oRMRoFCbVssAfIrQToIJIWLen~LYDr5AEOOrWVNDmyMCaQwS-HkkuGkHesKnvNWSpWngFkcKRCu-1UMVwuhvdmvUJNmWzUXp5XcH9FG3bLRnp4iaXWBSGU-qr1Fg1lINIDB3TLNgNU-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Health and Social Services Subcommittee heard a series of presentations on health regulatory bodies, the community behavioral‑health consortium grants created under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, trauma funding, and the state’s transition to the federal AHEAD model.

DLS analyst Anne Braun briefed the panel on the fiscal 2026 allowances for the health regulatory commissions—Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC), Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC), Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC), and the Prescription Drug Affordability Board—and highlighted several key items for the subcommittee’s attention: proposed reductions to mandated consortium funding in the governor’s BRFAA language, the state’s preparations for the federal AHEAD total‑cost‑of‑care model, changes to trauma funding tied to vehicle registration surcharges, and activity by the Prescription Drug Affordability Board.

Nut graf: Why it matters

The commissions oversee or help fund services that affect provider payments, school‑based behavioral health access, trauma center finances and drug affordability; proposed budget changes and statutory language could change how grants and provider payments are distributed across the state.

Consortium grants and school behavioral health

Braun described the consortium on coordinated community supports (the consortium) as originally mandated in the blueprint with $130 million a year for grants. Budget language in the governor’s proposal would reduce ongoing mandated funding by $90 million and level‑fund the program at $40 million beginning in fiscal 2026. Braun noted there were $109 million in active consortium grants approved through fiscal 2025 that report serving more than 143,000 students, with per‑student grant amounts that vary widely across jurisdictions.

CHRC leadership defended the program and described outreach and grant‑selection processes. Ed Case Meyer, CHRC chair, and Mark Lochner, CHRC executive director, said the consortium awarded grants that could not be provided within existing local budgets and that implementation had rapidly expanded school access—CHRC reported services available in roughly 80 percent of schools and tens of thousands of students served since the program began. Lochner told the committee the commission had required letters of support from local education agencies as part of the grant application process to avoid supplanting existing services.

Advocates and providers testify

Multiple advocacy organizations and grantees testified in favor of restoring full consortium funding. Speakers, including representatives from the Mental Health Association of Maryland, Parent Encouragement Program (PEP), Chesapeake Bay Psychological Services, the Horizon Foundation and Strong Schools Maryland, described services begun under consortium grants—school‑based therapy, parent support groups, training and crisis interventions—and warned that a cut from $130 million to $40 million would force hiring freezes or program closures.

Trauma funding and Shock Trauma

Braun summarized recent legislative changes that increased vehicle registration surcharges and allocated a larger share to the Maryland Trauma Physician Services Fund and Shock Trauma. The HSCRC and MHCC were asked to clarify how much funding shock trauma should receive. John Crom, HSCRC’s executive director, said the commission expected to complete two audits of trauma costs in the second half of fiscal 2026 and supported releasing $125,000 in special funds subject to required reporting. Dr. Thomas Scalia of R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma reported tangible operational gains after recent appropriations: increased operating room capacity (from six to eight rooms), reduced patient length of stay for operative cases, and fewer lost inter‑hospital transfers.

Other commission activity and AHEAD preparation

HSCRC representatives discussed Maryland’s transition to the federal AHEAD model, which builds on the state’s total cost of care approach and adds cross‑payer cost‑growth targets and primary care investment requirements. HSCRC said it had proposals to align incentives for Medicare Advantage plans with hospital rate‑setting to reduce utilization and create shared savings opportunities, but that such options require federal approval and interagency coordination.

Prescription Drug Affordability Board

Andrew York, representing the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, said the board had referred drugs for review and obtained approval from the legislative policy committee in October 2024 for an upper payment limit action plan; the board was updating regulations to match that plan.

Ending

The subcommittee took testimony but did not take formal action. DLS recommended continued oversight and requested updates from the commissions on grant disbursements, trauma cost audits and evaluations of primary care programs under the AHEAD framework.","DLS and multiple state health commissions briefed lawmakers on grants to school behavioral health programs, Medicare/MA issues, trauma funding and AHEAD model preparation; community groups urged restoring full consortium funding for student behavioral health.",{"_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},6659280,"Office of Home Energy Programs sees 24% budget jump as applications surge; DHS cites operational fixes",2323,2329000,4652000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2472362-8f7fbfbbba5bfde4debbef449b90f910&start=2329&end=4652","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2472362-8f7fbfbbba5bfde4debbef449b90f910/thumbnail_2329000.jpg","/articles/6659280/Maryland/Office-of-Home-Energy-Programs-sees-24-budget-jump-as-applications-surge-DHS-cites-operational-fixes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659280-037d7ba44d7aff840c65a149dc518a26/orig.mp4?Expires=1770871970&Signature=Q~SXdmUhkuWqBpi~4dVOkFu92zuOWdtMrPVCUW8~x3K3mkvppc-p5BX2WBwD3wQjkVkGxEYsbE8slxQk7bhydlVdUpLXXhoFpULiotUPk3EcbUVZY4L~J0T8-OpTME68342vmd2HTeZyflyQ76z6hDlfn1ztdAVZ~s0vbVm7vU~x~4B09df2gXHM4yXCXTaSJYaz7VNVpspehNljjzuwNjcHtXb3YU3ftU-CjnYl0AhtvwygZajmFj~ZkCv1Pag1Mqee3hg1JoLG5zsFl1fjZam2xYqw7SKGE0LZeFYMis7IwRTrcPJAgkBkE4R76o5yYEM8nzgxOgT-SLLXUVealg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Health and Social Services Subcommittee reviewed the Department of Human Services’ Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) budget, which DLS said increases by $56.0 million (24.1 percent) to $288.2 million for fiscal 2026.

DLS analyst Savick Shah Bujal summarized program data and concerns, citing a 61.1 percent increase in applications in fiscal 2024 after Chapter 207 of 2023 expanded eligibility and implemented categorical eligibility and automatic enrollment for certain benefit recipients. DLS recommended committee narrative requesting additional data on participation by vulnerable populations and recommended restricting some funds pending a report on application processing times and denial rates.

Nut graf: Why it matters

The budget and administration of energy assistance affect low‑income households directly; rapid increases in demand, reductions in per‑household benefit levels, and pauses in payments in 2024 prompted legislative requests for data and prompted DHS to commit to operational changes.

What DHS told lawmakers

Principal Deputy Secretary Carnita White and OHEP acting director Courtney Thomas Winberg described actions taken after the surge in applications: more than 243,252 applications in 2024; 20 on‑site visits with local administrating agencies; system upgrades; expanded customer‑relationship management tools; training and standardized procedures; and new automation to reduce manual reviews. DHS reported it had adjusted benefit levels to stretch available funds and had introduced a new crisis benefit for winter 2025.

Key program and budget details

- Allowance and deficiency: DLS reported a fiscal 2026 allowance of $288,200,000, a $56,000,000 increase primarily driven by a $55.6 million boost in Strategic Energy Investment Fund (CIF/RGGI) revenues. DLS noted a proposed fiscal 2026 deficiency appropriation of $30.9 million (including $22.2 million from LIHEAP and $7.8 million from the electric universal service program).

- RGGI and CIF: DLS reported fiscal 2024 RGGI auction receipts to Maryland totaled $214.2 million—the largest year to date—and fiscal 2026 CIF funding for energy assistance was budgeted at $150.0 million.

- Benefit changes and targeting: DLS noted the benefit targeting index fell to 88 for FY2023 (indicating high‑burden households received relatively smaller benefits) and questioned the decline. DHS said it revised benefit structures to target highest assistance to lowest‑income households while using flat rate models to predict expenditures.

- Applications and payments: DLS reported that although applications rose sharply in FY2024, the number of households receiving benefits did not rise proportionally for all programs; MEAP (heating) and gas arrearage benefits were temporarily exhausted in April 2024, and DHS suspended new benefit issuance for those programs. DHS said it reduced some individual benefit amounts to cover more households.

Customer service and call center metrics

Courtney Thomas Winberg described progress on customer service measures after launching a new call center in August 2024 and expanding tracking for energy assistance queries. DHS provided preliminary call metrics: since August 2024 the call center had an overall answer rate of 58 percent with an average wait time of 18 minutes 14 seconds; more recently reported figures showed an answer rate of 87 percent (average wait 6 minutes 17 seconds) for a recent month and 98 percent answer rate with a 41‑second wait time in the most recent week cited.

DLS recommendations and DHS responses

DLS recommended restricting certain funds pending submission of an application processing report and asked DHS to explain excess USP (electric universal service program) revenue budgeting, the use of CIF fund balances, and the impact of benefits reductions. DHS concurred with several DLS recommended actions, explained that some communication and postage costs had been misreported across budgets, and said it was monitoring expenditures and considering supplemental benefits if excess funds remain at fiscal year end.

Ending

The subcommittee heard testimony from DHS and DLS on operations, funding sources (federal LIHEAP, RGGI/CIF, ratepayer surcharges), and steps DHS has taken to stabilize application processing. DHS pledged continued monitoring and reporting and to provide requested data on processing times, denial rates and participation among vulnerable groups.","DHS and DLS told the subcommittee the Office of Home Energy Programs' fiscal 2026 allowance rises to $288.2 million amid dramatically higher applications after eligibility changes; DHS described technology and staffing fixes and said it is reviewing supplemental benefit options.",{"_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},6659285,"Maryland Health Benefit Exchange seeks $718.7 million; reinsurance, young-adult subsidies drive increase",1693,569000,2262000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2472362-8f7fbfbbba5bfde4debbef449b90f910&start=569&end=2262","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2472362-8f7fbfbbba5bfde4debbef449b90f910/thumbnail_569000.jpg","/articles/6659285/Maryland/Maryland-Health-Benefit-Exchange-seeks-7187-million-reinsurance-young-adult-subsidies-drive-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659285-5e6f8c9ffcc92dd78fc9cf4d9c1d793e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770871970&Signature=En0dZCWOoRdvq7SICOgbDASAQ3k-BIa1ryjnj3jvbigWxtstaRB1eKAOPnBstYVyVYuBHRdg4d6e0CfS2SBeBW8F2eQhWuI2qvbNp4BaN-tQV7F7AiuH1oQgMdH9o5eWf5iP0lhA8quQMywW8~zz5JeQtDwItlvRen30WrohMobvpnHuOFeSY7~K6oWCbrR~cp1hs7uCK8WAoyfHwl-BzefgcwydQNpqXmAux7~ZZpj79oXGUE~Jqvp~mPAkNEDukm7ot7T8DFsdbo9XkEUs5-y5RG~VXsAaRfsZv7y0Z5kQUJ9F6Z9k3hyev~9dq1rNgI0sdpPVdj4eA1bkFyHV7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Health and Social Services Subcommittee heard a fiscal 2026 budget presentation on the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (MHBE) that showed the agency’s allowance rising by $31.6 million, or 4.6 percent, to $718.7 million.

Victoria Martinez, presenting the Department of Legislative Services (DLS) budget analysis, said most of the MHBE budget—about 83 percent—covers reinsurance payments while other line items include a young-adult subsidy (4 percent), information technology (6 percent) and administration (7 percent). Martinez presented DLS’s recommended changes, including a suggested $267,000 reduction to operating expenses and language making $13 million of the young-adult subsidy contingent on legislation extending the subsidy beyond calendar 2025.

The exchange’s executive director, Miss Eberly, told the subcommittee MHBE provides enrollment services through the Maryland Health Connection platform and said the exchange had a record new enrollment of nearly 250,000 people in the 2025 plan year. “So in essence, we have a small budget on which we provide services to 1 in 5 Marylanders,” Eberly said, describing the exchange’s limited administrative funding and the larger federal pass‑through dollars that support reinsurance rather than core administration.

Nut graf: Why it matters

The state reinsurance program lowers premiums in the individual market by paying a portion of carriers’ claims; the program’s size makes the exchange’s fiscal outlook sensitive to federal premium subsidy policy and to enrollment changes. DLS and MHBE told lawmakers the reinsurance fund is expected to remain solvent through the end of the current waiver period (December 31, 2028) under current assumptions, but federal actions—specifically the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits—could reduce pass‑through funding and affect solvency and enrollment.

Key facts and provisions

- Budget totals: DLS reported a fiscal 2026 allowance of $718,700,000, a $31,600,000 increase from the prior year working appropriation. Exhibit highlights presented by DLS show a roughly $30,000,000 increase in reinsurance payments as the largest change.

- Reinsurance: The state reinsurance program, established in 2018, is funded with federal pass‑through dollars and a carrier assessment. MHBE and DLS said premiums have increased for 2025 compared with 2024 but remain lower than levels before the reinsurance program.

- Young‑adult subsidy: Fiscal 2026 includes $26,000,000 for the young adult subsidy program. DLS recommended $13,000,000 of that be made contingent on legislation extending the subsidy beyond calendar 2025; MHBE said it would accept that contingent language. Committee members were told Senate Bill 5 and House Bill 297 had passed initial committee and chamber steps and were advancing toward the opposite chamber at the time of the hearing.

- Personnel and consumer assistance: MHBE plans six new regular positions in fiscal 2026 to support consumer assistance. DLS noted these positions were funded in fiscal 2025 using available resources and suggested the operating expense reductions in its recommended actions.

- Audit findings and corrective actions: DLS reviewed a January 2025 legislative audit of MHBE. The audit contained eight findings related primarily to Medicaid eligibility and MHBE fund controls; MHBE reported corrective action completed on two findings and disagreed with four findings. MHBE told the subcommittee it had corrected findings identified before the audit’s publication and that finding 1 and 3—relating to Medicaid eligibility—remained open.

What lawmakers asked and MHBE’s answers

Committee members pressed MHBE on risks tied to federal policy. Eberly explained that the enhanced premium tax credit enhancements implemented during the pandemic expire December 31, and Congress must act to extend them; the exchange has been educating federal and state delegations about the possible impacts to enrollment and reinsurance funding. Eberly said MHBE projected the reinsurance program could remain solvent through 2028 even without the expanded tax credit, “providing nothing is taken out of it.”

On appeals and enrollment continuity, Eberly described interactions with carriers after January file errors caused some terminations. She said carriers and the Maryland Insurance Administration worked with MHBE; affected customers were reinstated and, in at least one case, the carrier paid January premiums for those members.

Ending

Lawmakers concluded the MHBE budget hearing after questions about audit follow‑up and federal funding risk. DLS recommended committee narrative requiring an annual report on reinsurance program costs and forecasts and conditional language for a portion of the young‑adult subsidy; MHBE signaled it would cooperate with those requests.","Analysts and MHBE leaders told the Health and Social Services Subcommittee the fiscal 2026 allowance rises to $718.7 million, driven chiefly by reinsurance payments and a young-adult subsidy; DLS recommended budget language and contingencies tied to federal and legislative decisions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Child Support Administration: $109.4M allowance; agency seeks correction for omitted reinvestment funds after low amnesty participation

Commissions defend grants, trauma funding and AHEAD preparations as advocates press to restore consortium money

Office of Home Energy Programs sees 24% budget jump as applications surge; DHS cites operational fixes

Maryland Health Benefit Exchange seeks $718.7 million; reinsurance, young-adult subsidies drive increase