If a dependent of a legal resident is on a waiting list for services to be provided under this title, the Administration shall allow the dependent to remain on the waiting list for services while the legal resident is outside the State due to the legal resident's military assignment outside the State.

This law requires a local department of social services with a military installation in its jurisdiction to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Military Family Advocacy Program for that installation, and sets forth minimum requirements for the memorandum of understanding.

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Legislation sponsored by Delegate Edith Patterson and Senator Michael Jackson was signed as Chapters 65 & 66 of the laws of 2022, creating a state-sponsored recognition program for military-friendly schools in Maryland. To earn the Maryland Purple Star designation, a school must provide for support for active-duty dependents who have transferred due to their sponsor's military service through a program to identify and serve newly enrolled military-connected students, and aid them in their transition.

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A dependent child who is relocating to the state on military orders and is not domiciled in that county during the enrollment period shall be allowed to apply for enrollment, in the same manner and time as individuals domiciled in the county. Within 10 days of the published arrival date on the service member's military orders, the service member shall provide: satisfactory evidence of the dependent child's status; a copy of the service member's orders; and proof of residence in the county.

Allows military spouses or financially dependent child to attend at in-state tuition rates when they present documentation that, the active duty member was stationed in the state at the time of acceptance to attend the public institution of higher education.

This year the Hogan-Rutherford Administration accepted an invitation from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to participate in the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide among Service Members, Veterans, and Families (SMVF). The Challenge is a call to action to collaborate, plan, and implement suicide prevention SMVF best practices and policies. The Department of Health (MDH) and Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) are leading a team of more than 30 federal, state, and local partners to develop the plan. The “Ask the Question” Campaign is one suicide prevention strategy developed as part of the plan which encourages human services professionals, state and local government, and community providers to ask consumers whether they or a loved one have served in the military. Asking this question promotes the opportunity to educate and connect more people to valuable military/veteran related programs, thereby improving overall well-being of our service members, veterans and families.