Maryland’s Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) has implemented repeated, sweeping policy changes affecting Self-Directed Services with minimal notice to families, participants, providers, and support teams. In recent months alone, major revisions to the Self-Directed Services Manual were issued with as little as 14 days’ notice, a waiver amendment was released with only a 30-day public comment period, and in one instance, a new policy was announced after it had already taken effect. These rapid and recurring changes have required families to rebuild services in a matter of days, adjust staffing and budgets overnight, and respond to complex policy shifts without meaningful stakeholder input—all while trying to maintain stability for people with disabilities. This approach is not sustainable.

SB583/HB1593 offers a reasonable and necessary step toward transparency and accountability. The legislation would require public notice before changes to the Self-Directed Services Manual, provide a minimum 90-day public comment period, and prohibit adoption of changes until that comment period has concluded.

We respectfully urge you to sign on as a co-sponsor of SB583/HB1593 in your respective chamber and stand with Marylanders with disabilities and their families in support of transparency, stability, and meaningful stakeholder engagement.