Human Services - Department of Aging and Commission on Aging (The Longevity Ready Maryland Act)
HB 278, the "Longevity Ready Maryland Act," requires Maryland's Secretary of Aging to lead implementation of the Longevity Ready Maryland Plan. This plan aims to coordinate state services for older adults by evaluating their needs, assessing existing programs, and fostering cross-sector collaboration across health, housing, employment, and social services. The bill mandates annual reports to the governor and legislature on progress, updates the Commission on Aging's role, and requires a comprehensive statewide plan to be revised every four years. It directly affects older Marylanders, the Department of Aging, local area agencies on aging, and state agencies responsible for aging-related services.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Sep 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Sep 24, 2025
Signed Apr 14, 2026
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What changed between versions
First - Human Services - Department of Aging and Commission on Aging (The Longevity Ready Maryland Act)
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Third - Human Services - Department of Aging and Commission on Aging (The Longevity Ready Maryland Act)
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3 edits
MINOR
The bill moved from a preliminary filing stage to adoption with a favorable committee report, indicating it is now ready for the next legislative step. Substantive text changes include replacing the word 'seniors' with 'older adults' throughout the definitions and duties sections to align with federal terminology, and reformatting the list of services the Secretary must coordinate to use numbered Roman numerals instead of lowercase letters. These changes clarify the bill's language and standardize its structure without altering the core policy requirements.
DEFINITION
Replaced the term 'seniors' with 'older adults' in multiple instances to ensure consistency with federal standards and reduce ageist terminology.
REQUIREMENT
Reformatted the list of service areas the Secretary must coordinate (e.g., income maintenance, public health) to use numbered Roman numerals instead of lowercase letters for better readability.
TIMELINE
Updated the bill's procedural status to reflect it was adopted by the House and read a second time, moving it closer to becoming law.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 20, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026
How they voted
45–0
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 49
Mar 20, 2026
D
Democratic36
88% Yea
R
Republican13
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
16
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Apr 14, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 93
executive
Apr 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 7, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Apr 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Finance
upper
Mar 20, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (45-0-4)
senate
Feb 20, 2026
Committee
Referred Finance
upper
Feb 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Health
lower
Feb 16, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (103-32-7)
house of delegates
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
First Reading Health
lower
Sep 24, 2025
Introduced
Pre-filed
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
No sponsor information available.
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