Md. Code Ann., Hum. Servs. § 7-1504 – Duties of Department

(1) administer the Program;
(2) adopt regulations to implement the Program, including regulations establishing procedures for the Department to:
1. (i) receive donations for the Fund; and
2. (ii) use revenue from the Fund to pay selected nonprofit training entities for services that are provided through the Program; and
(3) select at least one nonprofit training entity to:
1. (i) develop and implement a training protocol that will teach each Program participant methodologies, strategies, and techniques for partnering with service animals;
2. (ii) select qualified Program participants;
3. (iii) select an appropriate service animal for each Program participant;
4. (iv) facilitate each Program participant's training using the nonprofit training entity's training protocol; and
5. (v) partner each successful Program participant with the service animal on the Program participant's successful completion of the nonprofit training entity's training protocol.

The Department shall:

Added by Acts 2025, 1st Sp. Sess., c. 6, § 1, eff. Jan. 15, 2026; Acts 2025, 1st Sp. Sess., c. 13, § 1, eff. Jan. 15, 2026.