SB 37 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Maryland Service Animal Programs - Participant Disqualification - Revisions

SB 37 revises the rules allowing nonprofit training entities to disqualify participants from Maryland's Children's Service Animal Program and Veterans Service Animal Program. It clarifies the specific circumstances under which disqualification is permitted, such as when a participant poses a direct threat to others, the animal's well-being, or fails to meet training requirements. The bill does not change eligibility criteria for participants (children with specific health needs or veterans/family members) or alter program funding. It updates the legal language in existing statutes (Health-General §13-4104 and State Government §9-957(e)) to make disqualification standards clearer and more consistent. The changes will take effect October 1, 2026.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jun 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jun 2, 2025 Signed Apr 28, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - Maryland Service Animal Programs - Participant Disqualification - Revisions → Third - Maryland Service Animal Programs - Participant Disqualification - Revisions · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill expands the Maryland Service Animal Programs to include a new "Disability Service Animal Program" for residents with disabilities, in addition to the existing programs for children and veterans. It also updates legal definitions to align with federal standards, clarifies that nonprofit training entities must be tax-exempt, and reorganizes the bill's structure to reflect these broader programmatic changes.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from covering only children and veterans to also include a new program for residents with disabilities.

SCOPE

Added a new "Disability Service Animal Program" to cover residents with disabilities, expanding the bill's reach beyond children and veterans.

DEFINITION

Updated definitions of "Fund" and "Nonprofit training entity" to include the new Disability Service Animal Program and clarified that entities must be tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3).

Replaced the term "Service dog" with the broader term "Service animal" in the veterans section to align with federal definitions.

Changed the definition of "Eligible child" to "Eligible individual" in the veterans section to reflect the new inclusion of adults with disabilities.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new definition for "Service animal" that explicitly excludes animals used solely to deter crime.

TECHNICAL

Reorganized the bill text to repeal and reenact specific sections of the Health and Human Services articles to accommodate the new program and updated definitions.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 14, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 22, 2026

How they voted

44–0

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 49

Feb 14, 2026

D Democratic36

32 Yea 4

88% Yea

R Republican13

12 Yea 1

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 28, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 334

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 (136-0-6)

house of delegates

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Referred Health

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Feb 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

upper

Feb 14, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (44-0-5)

senate

Jan 14, 2026

Committee

First Reading Finance

upper

Jun 2, 2025

Introduced

Pre-filed

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors