Subcommittee approves Maryland Disability Service Animal Program with $25,000 appropriation and staffing contingency

The subcommittee passed Senate Bill 157 and the corresponding House Bill 384 as amended to establish a Maryland Disability Service Animal Program administered by the Department of Disabilities, require MDOD to select nonprofit training entities, create a program fund with a $25,000 annual appropriation, and make the act contingent on MDOD certifying sufficient staff (with a 1.5‑year sunset if staffing is not met).