The Governor signed the budget that includes a number of very harmful cuts to self-direction.   It includes approximately $126 million in reductions to services for individuals with developmental disabilities. 

It includes:

• Modifying the reasonable and customary wage rates for Family as Staff (FAS)

• Modifying the reasonable and customary wage rates for non-family staff, including wage enhancements intended to support benefits

• Implementing a 60/40 weekly cap on hours that can be worked by Family as Staff (The 40-hour weekly limit for Family as Staff (FAS) per individual would remain in place; however, the new proposal introduces a 60-hour total weekly cap on Family as Staff.)

• Eliminating the wage exception process that currently allows participants to request higher wages when necessary to recruit and retain staff

This is a breakdown of the savings according to the state:

• $40 million: Modifying family as Staff Reasonable and Customary and Bureau of Labor Statistics rates for personal support.

• $6.25 million: Modifying non-family as Staff Reasonable and Customary rates to a maximum of $30 per hour.

• $16.1 million: Eliminating unlicensed vendors by reducing their payments to the family as Staff Reasonable and Customary rates, excluding nursing and support brokers.

• $1.7 million: Implementing the 60/40 cap on Family as Staff utilization (40-hour cap on individual family as staff, with a total 60-hour cap for all family as staff for any one person in self-direction).

Please read the text here: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/Pubs/BudgetFiscal/2026_Senate_DDA_Dec_Doc_Add_Pages.pdf and 2026rs-budget-docs-operating-cc-report.pdf.