# COMAR Title 35 — Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families

## Subtitle 06 — Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program

### Chapter 01 — General Regulations

**Authority:** State Government Article, §9-957, Annotated Code of Maryland

**Administrative History:** Effective date: Effective December 18, 2017 (44:251 Md. R. 1185)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02B amended effective February 10, 2020 (47:3 Md. R. 173); January 24, 2022 (49:2 Md. R. 79); January 8, 2024 (50:26 Md. R. 1133)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .07 amended effective February 10, 2020 (47:3 Md. R. 173)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .07B amended effective July 30, 2018 (45:15 Md. R. 728)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .07 repealed and new Regulation .07 adopted effective January 24, 2022 (49:2 Md. R. 79)

#### Regulation .01 Purpose.

*COMAR 35.06.01.01*

The purpose of this chapter is to establish procedures for the Department to carry out the responsibilities and goals of the Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program pursuant to State Government Article, §9-957(h), Annotated Code of Maryland.

#### Regulation .02 Definitions.

*COMAR 35.06.01.02*

A. In this subtitle, the following terms have the meaning indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

  (1) “Eligible nonprofit training entity” means a nonprofit training entity that qualifies under State Government Article, §9-957(d)(2), Annotated Code of Maryland.

  (2) “Eligible veteran” has the meaning stated in State Government Article, §9-957(a)(2), Annotated Code of Maryland.

  (3) “Fund” has the meaning stated in State Government Article, §9-957(a)(3), Annotated Code of Maryland.

  (4) “Nonprofit training entity” has the meaning stated in State Government Article, §9-957(a)(4), Annotated Code of Maryland.

  (5) “Program” means the Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program.

  (6) “Program participant” has the meaning stated in State Government Article, §9-957(a)(6), Annotated Code of Maryland.

  (7) Service Dog

    (a) “Service dog” has the meaning stated in the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq., as amended.

    (b) “Service dog” includes any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.

    (c) “Service dog” does not include any other species of animal, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained.

  (8) “Successful program participant” has the meaning stated in State Government Article, §9-957(a)(7), Annotated Code of Maryland.

  (9) “Support dog” means a dog that is individually trained and that serves as an emotional support animal or therapy animal that a medical professional, within the medical professional’s scope of practice, has determined provides benefit for an individual with a sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other disability.

  (10) “Therapy horse” means a horse determined appropriate for interactions with veterans at a stable licensed by the State that is a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International (PATH, Intl.) member center or has Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) certified professionals who provide services to veterans.

#### Regulation .03 General Applicability.

*COMAR 35.06.01.03*

These regulations apply to every expenditure by the Department of money from the Fund.

#### Regulation .04 Program Outreach.

*COMAR 35.06.01.04*

A. The Department will promote the program to eligible veterans using website announcements, social media sites, electronic newsletters, print media and brochures, and community outreach events.

B. The Department will encourage successful program participants to assist with program outreach and referral of eligible veterans.

#### Regulation .05 Referral of Eligible Veterans to Selected Nonprofit Training Entities.

*COMAR 35.06.01.05*

A. Eligible nonprofit training entities must complete a Program application and submit any additional information or documentation requested by the Department.

B. Nonprofit training entities must be registered and in good standing with the Office of the Secretary of State to be considered.

C. The Department will publish a list of the selected nonprofit training entities on its website.

D. The Department will refer veterans to the list of entities and maintain a record of referrals made.

E. The nonprofit training entity will screen a referred veteran for eligibility to become a program participant.

#### Regulation .06 Donations to the Fund.

*COMAR 35.06.01.06*

A. The Department will accept online donations through its website.

B. The Department will allow donors to request anonymity before publishing an annual list of donors.

#### Regulation .07 Disbursements from the Fund to Selected Nonprofit Training Entities.

*COMAR 35.06.01.07*

A. The Department shall review grant applications and award grant awards to approved nonprofit training entities.

B. Nonprofit training entities shall submit progress reports to the Department.