SB 96 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Sheila E. Hixson Behavioral Health Services Matching Grant Program for Service Members and Veterans - Terminology - Active Service Members

SB 96 updates terminology in Maryland's Sheila E. Hixson Behavioral Health Services Matching Grant Program by removing the word "active" before "service member" throughout the law. This change clarifies that the program serves all service members (including those not currently on active duty), veterans, and their families, without altering eligibility criteria or funding. The bill specifically revises definitions in Section 7.5-210(a)(2)(i), (b)(2), and (e)(1)(ii) to replace "active service member" with "service member." It does not create new benefits or change who qualifies for grants, only how the program describes its target population. The change aims to align the law with the program's actual scope and improve clarity.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Aug 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Aug 22, 2025 Signed Apr 28, 2026
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What changed between versions

First - Sheila E. Hixson Behavioral Health Services Matching Grant Program for Service Members and Veterans - Terminology - Active Service Members Third - Sheila E. Hixson Behavioral Health Services Matching Grant Program for Service Members and Veterans - Terminology - Active Service Members · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was formally adopted and read a second time in the Senate, moving it closer to becoming law. The text includes standard formatting updates for the bill header and explanatory notes. No substantive policy changes were made to the eligibility criteria, funding amounts, or program definitions.
TECHNICAL

Updated the bill header to reflect Senate adoption and a second reading on February 7, 2026.

Changed the title from 'A BILL ENTITLED' to 'CHAPTER ______' to prepare for final enactment.

Added standard signatures and approval lines for the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 9, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 22, 2026

How they voted

460
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 49
Feb 9, 2026
D Democratic36
33 Yea 3
91% Yea
R Republican13
13 Yea
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 28, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 336
executive
Apr 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Returned Passed
upper
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Health
lower
Mar 22, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (134-0-8)
house of delegates
Feb 13, 2026
Committee
Referred Health
lower
Feb 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Finance
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (46-0-3)
senate
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
First Reading Finance
upper
Aug 22, 2025
Introduced
Pre-filed
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Bryan Simonaire
Bryan Simonaire
RRepublican
MD
31