Health and Government Operations Committee approves suite of health, aging and workforce bills; Maryland Corps fiscal note clarified

The Health and Government Operations Committee voted on multiple departmental and policy bills during its Feb. 7 voting session, approving changes to service-year funding and program rules, extending board sunset dates, adjusting professional licensing rules and authorizing Maryland to join an interstate social work licensure compact.

The most discussed item was the departmental bill revising Maryland Corps program rules (referred to in committee as House Bill 33). Committee analysts told members the bill changes how program funds may be used between the Maryland Service Year Pathway Fund and the Young Adult Service Year Pathway Fund and updates how stipends and reimbursements are delivered. A revised fiscal note issued during the session stated "no net effect on the general fund due to this bill," because the change alters the path of existing appropriations rather than increasing total funding. Committee members asked about the size of the funds and program costs; the analyst said the mandated appropriation to the Maryland Service Year Pathway is $20,000,000 for fiscal 2027 and thereafter and described program wages, employer contributions and stipends (a completion stipend of roughly $6,000 was discussed). After discussion the bill passed.

The committee also approved House Bill 158 to rename and broaden the Senior Call Check Services and Notification Program into the Senior Call Check and Social Connections Program and to integrate it with telecommunications access programs. Members discussed that the Public Service Commission plans to increase a telecommunications surcharge from 5¢ to 9¢ (a separate action not in the bill) and that the Department of Aging expects to use existing surcharge…