Title 7. Individuals With Disabilities — Subtitle 2. Respite Care for Individuals With Developmental or Functional Disabilities
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Hum. Servs. § 7-201 (2026)
Title 7. Individuals With Disabilities
Subtitle 2. Respite Care for Individuals With Developmental or Functional Disabilities
§ 7–201LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)
“Department” means the Department of Human Services.
(c)
“Respite care” means short–term care:
(1)
of an individual with a developmental or functional disability described under § 7–202 of this subtitle; and
(2)
that is provided either within or outside the individual’s home to give temporary relief to the individual or the individual’s family.
Md. Code Ann., Hum. Servs. § 7-202 (2026)
Title 7. Individuals With Disabilities
Subtitle 2. Respite Care for Individuals With Developmental or Functional Disabilities
§ 7–202LinkCopy Citation
(a)
An individual has a functional disability if the individual has a severe, chronic disability that:
(1)
is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or a combination of mental and physical impairments, including a head injury;
(2)
is likely to continue indefinitely;
(3)
results in substantial functional limitations in at least three of the following areas of major life activity:
(i)
self-care;
(ii)
receptive and expressive language;
(iii)
learning;
(iv)
mobility;
(v)
self-direction;
(vi)
capacity for independent living; and
(vii)
economic self-sufficiency; and
(4)
reflects the individual’s need for a combination and sequence of special interdisciplinary or generic care, treatment, or other services that are:
(i)
lifelong or of extended duration; and
(ii)
individually planned and coordinated.
(b)
An individual has a developmental disability if the individual has a functional disability that is manifested before the individual attains the age of 22 years.
Md. Code Ann., Hum. Servs. § 7-203 (2026)
Title 7. Individuals With Disabilities
Subtitle 2. Respite Care for Individuals With Developmental or Functional Disabilities
§ 7–203LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
There is a Respite Care Program in the Department.
(2)
The purpose of the Program is to provide respite care services in the State.
(b)
The Department shall provide respite care services through:
(1)
local departments of social services; or
(2)
contracts with private nonprofit community-based providers.
Md. Code Ann., Hum. Servs. § 7-204 (2026)
Title 7. Individuals With Disabilities
Subtitle 2. Respite Care for Individuals With Developmental or Functional Disabilities
§ 7–204LinkCopy Citation
Subject to the State budget, within a fiscal year an individual may receive:
(1)
on an hourly basis, up to 24 hours of respite care provided in periods of less than 10 hours in any 24-hour period; and
(2)
on a daily basis, up to 14 days of respite care provided in periods of 10 or more hours in any 24-hour period.
Md. Code Ann., Hum. Servs. § 7-205 (2026)
Title 7. Individuals With Disabilities
Subtitle 2. Respite Care for Individuals With Developmental or Functional Disabilities
§ 7–205LinkCopy Citation
The Department shall adopt regulations governing respite care services, including:
(1)
mandatory standards; and
(2)
sliding fee schedules.