HB 989 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

State Assistance for the Elderly - Study on Calculation of Income

HB 989 modifies how income is calculated for elderly individuals seeking state assistance. It prohibits including rental income from a portion of an individual's primary residence (e.g., renting a room) when determining eligibility for state tax credits, housing assistance, or medical assistance programs. The Department of Aging must review all relevant programs to confirm applicability and notify administering agencies if the rule applies. This change directly affects elderly Marylanders who rely on state assistance programs with income-based eligibility requirements. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 6, 2026 Last action Mar 25, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - State Assistance for the Elderly - Calculation of Income → Third - State Assistance for the Elderly - Study on Calculation of Income · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill changed from immediately implementing a rule that excludes rental income from elderly housing assistance calculations to requiring a one-year study on whether such a rule should be adopted. This delays any actual policy change while the Department of Aging researches the impact, identifies barriers, and determines which programs could apply.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from immediately applying a new income calculation rule to conducting a study on that rule's potential implementation.

REQUIREMENT

Changed from immediate implementation of an income calculation rule to requiring a study by December 1, 2026.

Added requirement for the Department of Aging to consult with four other state departments (Disabilities, Health, Housing and Community Development, and Human Services) before conducting the study.

Added specific study requirements to identify federal law barriers, necessary state resources, and which programs could reasonably apply to the proposed rule.

TIMELINE

Added a one-year sunset provision requiring the Act to be abrogated on June 30, 2027, with no further legislative action needed.

ENFORCEMENT

Changed reporting requirement from immediate notification of affected programs to a final report to Senate Finance and House Health Committees after the study is complete.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

How they voted

120–17

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 142

Mar 11, 2026

D Democratic103

100 Yea 3

97% Yea

R Republican39

20 Yea 17 Nay 2

51% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 23, 2026

Committee

Referred Finance

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Health

lower

Mar 11, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (120-17-5)

house of delegates

Feb 6, 2026

Committee

First Reading Health and Ways and Means

lower

15 primary · 0 co-sponsors