HB 945
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2021 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
Third Reader - Revised
House Bill 945 (Delegate Carey)
Economic Matters Finance
Human Services - Critical Medical Needs Program - Application for Assistance
This bill requires the Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) to allow a critical
medically vulnerable individual, who is at least 60 years old and assisted by a navigator, to
provide certification from a medical provider of a severe health condition within 90 days
after applying for the Critical Medical Needs Program (CMNP). The bill takes effect
June 1, 2021.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: None. The change is technical in nature and does not directly affect
governmental finances.
Local Effect: None.
Small Business Effect: None.
Analysis
Current Law: “Critical medically vulnerable individual” means an individual who (1) has
a severe health condition that will be aggravated due to the termination or noncontinuation
of electric or gas service, or needs life-support equipment as documented and certified in
accordance with specified methods; (2) has or will have their electric or gas service
terminated for nonpayment; and (3) is unable to complete the energy assistance
applications under available energy assistance programs, including energy efficiency
programs offered by the Department of Housing and Community Development.
“Navigator” means a representative from a medical facility or from a public or private
assistance agency or organization who (1) is in personal contact with a critical medically
vulnerable individual and (2) assists the critical medically vulnerable individual in the
energy assistance application process.
Critical Medical Needs Program
Chapters 282 and 283 of 2019 formally established CMNP in the Department of Human
Services (DHS). In administering CMNP, OHEP reduces barriers to the energy assistance
application process for critical medically vulnerable individuals and their households.
Obtaining State and federal financial assistance for their electric, gas, or other energy
source bills helps ensure that service continues or is restored for critical medically
vulnerable individuals.
OHEP must partner with specified entities, including the Office of People’s Counsel,
electric and gas companies, nonprofit organizations, other State agencies, and any other
organization that OHEP determines appropriate. CMNP must facilitate assistance to
critical medically vulnerable individuals and their households in obtaining financial
assistance through navigators. OHEP must determine qualifications and establish training
requirements for navigators; it must train navigators or facilitate the training of navigators
by others.
OHEP must work with electric and gas companies to implement, for critical medically
vulnerable individuals, (1) a medical hold on electric or gas service or an expedited process
to grant the extension of electric or gas service for those who will have services terminated
and (2) an expedited process for the restoration of electric or gas service for those who
have had their electric or gas service terminated. OHEP must establish a tracking system
of the status of individuals who participate in the program and adopt implementing
regulations.
Certification of Serious Illness
Per Maryland regulations, a complete CMNP application must include a completed
certification of serious illness or need for life support equipment form that must include
(1) a certification made by a licensed physician or certified nurse practitioner; (2) the name
and address of the seriously ill person; (3) a statement that the seriously ill person or person
in need of life-support equipment is the applicant or occupant of the premises in which the
applicant resides; (4) specified contact information and signature of the certifying
physician or certified nurse practitioner; and (5) a statement that termination of energy
source service will aggravate a serious illness or prevent the use of life-support equipment.
HB 945/ Page 2
Additional Comments: As of November 2020, there were a total of 264 navigators
available to assist individuals through this program. In total, DHS reports 177 applications
were submitted in fiscal 2020 and 2021 (through mid-November) with the assistance of
navigators.
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: None.
Designated Cross File: SB 907 (Senator Benson) - Finance.
Information Source(s): Department of Human Services; Office of People’s Counsel;
Department of Legislative Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - February 10, 2021
rh/jc Third Reader - March 22, 2021
Revised - Amendment(s) - March 22, 2021
Analysis by: Amberly Holcomb Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
HB 945/ Page 3