1. (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
2. (b) “Advisory Group” means the Maryland Interested Parties Advisory Group established under § 15-1202 of this subtitle and required under 42 C.F.R. § 447.203.
3. (c) “Applicable service categories” means homemaker services, home health aide services, personal care services, and habilitation services.
4. (d) “Consumer” means an applicant for, a recipient of, or an individual eligible for Medicaid home- and community-based services, or the individual's authorized representative.
5. (e) “Consumer organization” means a State or local consumer advocacy group or other community-based organization that represents the interests of, or provides direct services to, consumers of Medicaid home- and community-based services.

6. (f) “Direct care worker” means an individual:

   1. (1) Employed by a Medicaid provider, State agency, or third party;
   2. (2) Who contracts with a Medicaid provider, State agency, or third party;
   3. (3) Delivering services under a self-directed services delivery model; or
   4. (4) Who is paid to provide home- and community-based services through an applicable service category.
7. (g) “Home- and community-based services” means Medicaid home- and community-based services delivered through the State plan, a waiver under § 1915(c) of the federal Social Security Act, a managed care program, or other demonstration program.
8. (h) “Personal care” has the meaning stated under § 19-301 of this article.
9. (i) “Provider association” means a trade association that represents direct care employers.

10. (j) “Worker organization” means an organization that:

    1. (1) Is exempt from federal income taxation under §§ 501(c)(3) through (6) of the Internal Revenue Code;
    2. (2) Is not dominated, controlled, or funded by a direct care employer; and
    3. (3) Has at least 2 years of demonstrated experience engaging with and advocating for direct care workers.

Added by Acts 2025, c. 754, § 1, eff. July 1, 2025.