# Human Services (GHU)

## Title 10. Department of Aging

### Subtitle 2. Department of Aging

#### Section 10-204

(a) The Secretary shall administer the programs and activities that the federal government delegates to the State under the Older Americans Act of 1965 that are not otherwise committed by law to another unit of State government.

(b) The Secretary:

  (1) is a member of the Governor's Executive Council; and

  (2) shall cooperate with and receive the cooperation of State, federal, and local governmental units to carry out the purposes of this title.

(c) The Secretary shall lead implementation of the Longevity Ready Maryland Plan, with the following goals:

  (1) building a longevity ecosystem;

  (2) promoting economic opportunity;

  (3) preparing State residents to afford longevity; and

  (4) optimizing health, wellness, and mobility.

(d) To implement the Longevity Ready Maryland Plan, the Secretary shall:

  (1) evaluate the service needs of older adults in the State;

  (2) determine the extent to which existing public and private programs, policies, institutions, and systems support older adults;

  (3) establish priorities for meeting the needs of older adults; and

  (4) coordinate, subject to existing law, assess and evaluate, and educate the public and professionals about all State and local programs and services, both public and private, that:

    (i) relate and are important to the well-being of older adults in the State; and

    (ii) are designed to assist older adults and family caregivers in leading independent and dignified lives in their own homes and communities.

(e) The Secretary shall:

  (1) represent the interests of older adults by serving as an advocate for policy, systems, and institutional change at all levels of government and within the private sector in support of the Longevity Ready Maryland Plan;

  (2) emphasize cross-sector collaboration, including consulting and advising units of State government and State boards and commissions about any action the unit, board, or commission may take to assist in implementing the Longevity Ready Maryland Plan;

  (3) consult with the Commission on Aging on implementation of the Longevity Ready Maryland Plan;

  (4) provide consultation and technical assistance to organizations and other entities or persons developing local services for older adults in partnership with area agencies on aging and other organizations and entities funded by the Department;

  (5) maintain a system that provides information, referrals, and counseling for older adults and their caregivers related to the interests of older adults and the implementation of the Longevity Ready Maryland Plan;

  (6) review and recommend legislation and other policy action to the Governor on publicly funded plans, programs, institutions, and systems that affect older adults and the implementation of the Longevity Ready Maryland Plan; and

  (7) maintain a publicly accessible resource on the Department's website for monitoring implementation of the Longevity Ready Maryland Plan.

(f) The Secretary may adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of law that are within the jurisdiction of the Secretary.

(g)

  (1) In this subsection, "Fund" means the Aging Resilience Fund.

  (2) There is an Aging Resilience Fund.

  (3) The purpose of the Fund is to support the implementation of the Department's mission under this title.

  (4) The Secretary shall administer the Fund.

  (5)

    (i) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to Sec. 7-302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.

    (ii) The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.

  (6)

    (i) The Fund consists of:

      (1) investment earnings of the Fund;

      (2) any fees collected under this subtitle; and

      (3) any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.

    (ii) Money received by the Department from the Fund in accordance with this section is supplemental to and is not intended to take the place of funding that otherwise would be appropriated in the annual State operating or capital budget bill for projects or activities of the Department.

  (7) The Fund may be used for expenses that align with the Department's mission under this title, including:

    (i) partnership development; and

    (ii) any programs, services, or activities within the Department.

  (8)

    (i) The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.

    (ii) Any interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund.

  (9) Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget.

  (10)

    (i) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sec. 7-213 of the State Finance and Procurement Article, the Governor may not reduce an appropriation for the Fund in the State budget as approved by the General Assembly.

    (ii) Except as provided in this subsection, money appropriated for the Fund shall remain in the Fund.

  (11) On or before January 1 each year, the Secretary shall report to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Health Committee, in accordance with Sec. 2-1257 of the State Government Article, on the administration of the Fund for the previous fiscal year, including:

    (i) the total amount in the Fund;

    (ii) the total number of deposits made to the Fund, including amounts and sources; and

    (iii) the total number of expenditures made from the Fund, including amounts and purposes.

---

Md. Code Ann., Hum. Servs. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)