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SB 223 Maryland Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Department of Aging - Senior Call-Check and Social Connections Program

SB 223 renames Maryland's "Senior Call-Check Service and Notification Program" to the "Social Connections Program" and updates its purpose to promote wellness and purposeful social engagement for older adults. The bill directly affects older adults at risk of social isolation, expanding eligibility beyond age-based criteria to include those who would benefit from additional social engagement. Key provisions require the Department of Aging to provide regular communication (via phone, text, or virtual means), follow up if a participant doesn’t respond, and share relevant wellness information. The program also mandates collaboration between the Department of Aging and the Department of Disabilities for budget development.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Sep 2024
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Sep 28, 2024 Signed Apr 8, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Department of Aging - Social Connections Program - Establishment → Third - Department of Aging - Senior Call-Check and Social Connections Program · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to rename the program to 'Senior Call-Check and Social Connections Program' and expand its scope to include more than just telephone calls. The changes allow for additional forms of direct communication like text messages and video calls, and lower the age eligibility threshold from 65 to 60 years old. These modifications make the program more flexible and accessible to a broader range of older adults.
Scope change
The program scope expanded from telephone-only check-ins to include various forms of direct communication, and eligibility was extended to include adults aged 60 and older.
DEFINITION

The program name was changed from 'Social Connections Program' to 'Senior Call-Check and Social Connections Program' to better reflect its expanded services.

The definition of 'Village' was updated to include fostering social connections through activities and coordinating volunteer help at home.

ELIGIBILITY

The age requirement for eligible participants was lowered from 65 years old to 60 years old.

REQUIREMENT

The definition of 'Regular, Direct Communication' was expanded to include telephone calls, text messages, video calls, in-person communications, and other approved forms of communication.

New provisions were added to allow for additional communication methods when participants do not respond to scheduled calls.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 4, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 14, 2025

How they voted

43–0
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 46
Feb 4, 2025
D Democratic33
30 Yea 3
90% 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 8, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 36
executive
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Returned Passed
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Mar 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Health and Government Operations
lower
Mar 14, 2025
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (130-0-9)
house of delegates
Feb 14, 2025
Committee
Referred Health and Government Operations
lower
Feb 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Feb 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Feb 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance
upper
Feb 4, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (43-0-3)
senate
Jan 8, 2025
Committee
First Reading Finance
upper
Sep 28, 2024
Introduced
Pre-filed
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.