Maryland Disability Service Animal Program - Established

Maryland's SB 157 establishes the Maryland Disability Service Animal Program within the Department of Disabilities. The program directly affects eligible individuals with disabilities (defined per the ADA) who need service animals trained to perform specific tasks. Key provisions include creating a dedicated fund to pay nonprofit training organizations (selected by the Department) for service animal training, referring eligible individuals to these organizations, and providing additional funding mechanisms to support program participants. The program does not cover emotional support animals, which must be individually trained to perform tasks for a disability.