Legislators Press DHS on MD THINK costs, certification and data reporting

A subcommittee of the Maryland House Appropriations Committee examined the Department of Human Services administration budget on Feb. 12, focusing on MD THINK, the state's cloud platform that now hosts eligibility, child welfare and child support systems. Department of Legislative Services budget analyst Natalie Andrade told the panel the DHS fiscal 2026 allowance rises $29.2 million, and that the MD THINK program is a major driver of the increase.

The budget analyst highlighted long‑running concerns about cost reporting and program management. DLS said MD THINK expenditures reported to the state differ from agency reports (for example, DLS cited a $116.6 million figure for fiscal 2024 while state budget documents indicate $206.5 million) and called for a committee narrative requiring a report on MD THINK’s cost, implementation, progress and sustainability. DLS also referenced a March 2024 Department of Information Technology audit that found the project's budget grew from $166.4 million in 2018 to $588.8 million in 2022 and reported delays in completion.

Why it matters: MD THINK supports eligibility and benefits used daily by large numbers of Marylanders. Lawmakers said they need clearer accounting of where taxpayer and federal funds are being spent, how much is for operations versus enhancements, and whether the platform's governance and certification processes are adequate.

DHS officials said the platform has evolved since it was…