Supporting Our Caregiver Infrastructure Program - Feasibility Study
HB1280 requires the University of Maryland, College Park, working with the Department of Human Services, to conduct a feasibility study on creating and operating the Supporting Our Caregiver Infrastructure Program. The proposed program would provide universal monthly payments to caregivers for each dependent person they care for, and the study is directed to assess whether such a program could be implemented in Maryland and how it might be structured.
The bill defines the populations that would qualify as “qualified family members,” including older adults age 60 or older, individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders, and children or adults with developmental or functional disabilities. It also directs the study to examine likely economic effects, such as labor force participation, tax revenues, reduced reliance on public benefits, and overall economic vitality, while identifying possible funding sources and administrative costs. A final report is due to legislative committees by July 1, 2028, and the act is temporary, expiring automatically after a set period unless further action is taken.
HB1280 does not itself create a caregiver payment program; instead, it adds a new statutory mandate for a state-sponsored feasibility study and reporting requirement. It assigns responsibilities to the University of Maryland, College Park, in consultation with the Office of the Comptroller and with assistance from the Department of Human Services, and requires coordination with aging, health, and local disability-related agencies. The bill affects state administrative planning and budget analysis by requiring evaluation of funding sources, operating costs, and economic impacts, but it does not directly alter benefit eligibility or appropriations in existing law.
The bill appears to have broad legislative support, as reflected in its favorable committee report, adoption in the House, and strong floor votes in both chambers. The vote totals suggest little organized opposition in the Senate and a more divided but still decisive vote in the House. Overall, the discussion context indicates a generally positive reception toward studying caregiver support as a potential economic and family-support policy.
The main point of policy tension is fiscal and administrative: supporters seek to explore universal caregiver stipends as a way to strengthen families and the workforce, while the study is explicitly tasked with minimizing budget impact and identifying sustainable funding sources. Any disagreement is likely to center on whether a monthly payment program would be affordable, how broad eligibility should be, and whether the projected economic benefits would justify the costs. Because the bill only authorizes a study, not the program itself, the controversy is limited to the merits and scope of evaluating this policy rather than immediate implementation.