Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program - Eligibility - Family Members of Veterans

SB 182 expands Maryland's Veterans Service Animal Program to include spouses and dependents of eligible veterans as direct participants. The bill amends existing law to define "eligible family member" as a spouse or dependent and updates program purposes and participant definitions to explicitly cover them. Under this change, family members meeting the veteran's eligibility criteria (active military service, honorable discharge, and Maryland residency or VA care in-state) can now access the program. The program provides referrals to nonprofit trainers for service dogs, support dogs, or therapy horses, with funding and training support through the state Department. This change directly affects family members of qualifying veterans who previously could not participate in the program.