HB 660
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2021 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
Enrolled
House Bill 660 (Delegate Chisholm)
Health and Government Operations Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs
Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program - Definitions
This bill defines “service dog,” “support dog,” and “therapy horse” for the purposes of the
Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program and related fund.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: None. The bill is technical in nature and does not impact State operations or
finances.
Local Effect: None.
Small Business Effect: None.
Analysis
Current Law: Maryland regulations define “service dog” as any dog that is individually
trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability,
including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. “Service
dog” does not include any other species of animal, either wild, domestic, trained, or
untrained. Maryland regulations define “support dog” as a dog that serves as an emotional
support animal, comfort animal, or therapy animal that a medical professional has
determined provides benefit for an individual with a disability. There is no definition for
“therapy horse” in Maryland regulations.
Chapter 416 of 2017 established the Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program. The
program is designed to refer eligible veterans to selected nonprofit training organizations
to be paired with “service dogs” or “support dogs” and facilitate their training. The
Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) must select at least one nonprofit
training entity that meets specified qualifications to carry out elements of the program.
Chapter 416 also established the Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program Fund,
consisting of revenue collected by MDVA in the form of donations to the program, money
appropriated in the State budget, and money from any other source accepted for the benefit
of the fund. Chapters 152 and 153 of 2018 require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or the
Secretary’s designee to administer the fund. Chapter 465 of 2019 expanded the program to
include nonprofit training entities that use trained therapy horses for interaction with
veterans. Revenue from the fund may be used only to pay a nonprofit training entity and
for administrative costs of the program. Expenditures from the fund may be made only in
accordance with the State budget.
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: SB 90 of 2020, as amended, passed in the Senate and received a
hearing in the House Health and Government Operations Committee, but no further action
was taken.
Designated Cross File: SB 284 (Senator Simonaire) - Education, Health, and
Environmental Affairs.
Information Source(s): Department of Veterans Affairs; Department of Legislative
Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - January 29, 2021
rh/jc Third Reader - March 18, 2021
Enrolled - April 13, 2021
Analysis by: Thomas S. Elder Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
HB 660/ Page 2


Statutes affected:
Text - First - Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program - Definitions: 9-957 State Government, 7-302 State Government
Text - Third - Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program - Definitions: 9-957 State Government, 7-302 State Government
Text - Enrolled - Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program - Definitions: 9-957 [], 7-302 []