HB 202

Did not advance

Public Health - Social Isolation and Loneliness Pilot Grant Program - Establishment

Sponsor: Joe Vogel (District 17)Committee: HealthSubject: Public HealthStatus: Hearing 2/10 at 2:30 p.m. (as of Sep 4, 2026)

What this bill does

Official synopsis

Establishing the Social Isolation and Loneliness Pilot Grant Program in the Maryland Department of Health to provide grants for the operating costs associated with the maintenance or expansion of programs that target vulnerable populations with socioemotional support addressing social isolation and loneliness; requiring the Governor to include in the budget bill for fiscal year 2028 an appropriation of $100,000 for the Program; etc.

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Testimony (20)

MGA witness list

FAV 14FavorableFWA 1Favorable with amendmentsUNF 5Unfavorable

Position	Witness	Organization	Testimony
FAV	Westrick, Saralobbyist	AARP Maryland	Written (PDF)
FAV	Mills, Morganlobbyist	Compass Government Relations	Written (PDF)
FAV	Romak, Craig	Delta Bingo	Written (PDF)
FAV	Clark, Ashleylobbyist	Harris Jones & Malone, LLC	Written (PDF)
FAV	miller, deborahlobbyist	JCRC of Greater Washington	Written (PDF)
FAV	Hartung, Bruce	Maryland Continuing Care Residents Association	Written (PDF)
FAV	Olateju, Oluwatosin	Maryland Public Health Association (MdPHA)	Written (PDF)
FAV	Geddes, Annlobbyist	Mental Health Association of Maryland	Written (PDF)
FAV	Vogel, Joe	Office of Delegate Joe Vogel	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Ghrist, Delegate Jefferson	Rural Caucus	Written (PDF)
FAV	SWASC, UM	Social Work Advocates for Social Change	Written (PDF)
FAV	Kaplowitz, Richard KAP	Year	Written (PDF)
FAV	Delegate Vogel, Delegate Vogellegislator	Individual	Oral
FAV	Mortoro, Lynn	Individual	Written (PDF)
UNF	Lynch, Meghan	Maryland Department of Health	Written (PDF)
UNF	Gross, Kenneth	Individual	Position only
UNF	Leseman, Kimberly	Individual	Oral
UNF	Rosa, Richard	Individual	Position only
UNF	Tibbals, Trudy	Individual	Position only
FWA	Peters, Sarahlobbyist	HBS	Written (PDF)

Organizations on record

AARP MarylandFAV 1

Compass Government RelationsFAV 1

Delta BingoFAV 1

Harris Jones & Malone, LLCFAV 1

HBSFWA 1

JCRC of Greater WashingtonFAV 1

Maryland Continuing Care Residents AssociationFAV 1

Maryland Department of HealthUNF 1

Maryland Public Health Association (MdPHA)FAV 1

Mental Health Association of MarylandFAV 1

Office of Delegate Joe VogelFAV 1

Rural CaucusFAV 1

Social Work Advocates for Social ChangeFAV 1

YearFAV 1

Registered lobbyists who testified

FAVWestrick, SaraAARP MarylandRegistered for: AARP Maryland

FAVMills, MorganCompass Government RelationsRegistered for: Alley Cat Allies; CFG Health Network; Coinbase, Inc.; Girl Scouts of Central Maryland; Horizon Foundation of Howard County, Inc., The; Maryland Association for Justice, Inc.…

FAVClark, AshleyHarris Jones & Malone, LLCRegistered for: Beltway Fine Wine; Chesapeake Employers' Insurance Company; Community Associations Institute/Maryland Legislative Action Committee; Employ Prince George's, Inc.; Frederick Community College; Greater Baltimore Committee…

FAVmiller, deborahJCRC of Greater WashingtonRegistered for: Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington

FAVGeddes, AnnMental Health Association of MarylandRegistered for: Mental Health Association of Maryland; Maryland Coalition of Families

FWAPeters, SarahHBSRegistered for: Action Now Initiative, LLC; Alibaba; Ameresco; American Diabetes Association; Apartment & Office Building Association; Barwood Taxi Service…