Aging-in-Place Programs - Grants - Multigenerational Third Places (Village Multigenerational Third Places Act), the official text

WES MOORE, Governor          Ch. 760

Chapter 760

                           (Senate Bill 530)

AN ACT concerning

Aging–in–Place Programs – Grants – Multigenerational Third Places
                  (Village Multigenerational Third Places Act)

FOR the purpose of authorizing the Department of Aging to make grants to nonprofit
         organizations and area agencies on aging to support social connection for individuals
         in aging–in–place programs through events or gatherings at multigenerational third
         places; and generally relating to grants for aging–in–place programs for
         multigenerational third places.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
         Article – Human Services
         Section 10–1201
         Annotated Code of Maryland
         (2019 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)

         SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

                           Article – Human Services

10–1201.

(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

                  (2) “Aging–in–place program” means a program or service that enables an
individual to live in the individual’s own home and participate in a community safely,
independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.

                (3) “MULTIGENERATIONAL THIRD PLACE” MEANS A COMMUNITY

SPACE OTHER THAN A PERSONAL HOME OR WORKPLACE THAT SUPPORTS SOCIAL

CONNECTION, EVENTS, OR GATHERING AMONG INDIVIDUALS OF DIFFERENT AGES.

                [(3)] (4)  “Senior village” means a local, member–driven, nonprofit
organization that:

             (i) supports community members who choose to age in place by:

                                    1. fostering social connections through activities and events;
and

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Ch. 760        2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND

                                    2. coordinating volunteer help at home using a
neighbor–helping–neighbor model; and

               (ii) is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal

Revenue Code.

         (b) The Department may make grants to nonprofit organizations and area
agencies on aging to:

         (1) expand and establish aging–in–place programs for seniors; AND

                (2) SUPPORT SOCIAL CONNECTION FOR INDIVIDUALS IN
AGING–IN–PLACE PROGRAMS THROUGH EVENTS OR GATHERINGS AT
MULTIGENERATIONAL THIRD PLACES.

         (c) Any nonprofit organization or area agency on aging may apply to the
Department for a State grant to be applied toward:

                (1) the cost of expanding or establishing an aging–in–place program that
provides to seniors:

                [(1)] (I) assistance with the costs of in–home personal care services for
activities of daily living, including bathing, personal hygiene and grooming, dressing,
toileting, functional mobility, food preparation, laundry, and house cleaning;

                [(2)] (II) psychological, economic, or functional assistance to enable
successful health management, access to medical care, or compliance with treatment
recommendations;

         [(3)] (III) awareness of and access to resources, services, and benefits;

         [(4)] (IV) support services and care coordination;

         [(5)] (V) affordable transportation;

                [(6)] (VI) assistance making in–home modifications or repairs to improve
safety, mobility, and accessibility; or

         [(7)] (VII) the opportunity to live in a senior village; OR

                (2) OPERATIONAL COSTS, INCLUDING ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OR
SHORT–TERM OR LONG–TERM LEASES OR RENTAL COSTS, FOR A SENIOR VILLAGE
TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO MULTIGENERATIONAL THIRD PLACES.

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WES MOORE, Governor  Ch. 760

         (d) To be eligible for a State grant to expand an existing aging–in–place program
under this section, a nonprofit organization or area agency on aging shall demonstrate an
equal match for funds requested.

         (e) The Department shall publicize the availability of grant opportunities under
the aging–in–place program to eligible organizations at least 6 weeks before grant
applications are due.

         (f) The amount of the State grant for an aging–in–place program shall be
determined after consideration of:

                  (1) all eligible applicants;

                  (2) the total amount of State funds available for grants; and

                  (3) the priorities of area need as may be established by the Department in
consultation with area agencies on aging and in alignment with area plans on aging.

         (g) (1) For each fiscal year, the Governor shall include in the annual budget
bill an appropriation of at least $100,000 for the purpose of making the State grants under
this section.

                  (2) At least 20% of the funding appropriated under paragraph (1) of this
subsection shall be used to support senior villages.

         (h) The Department shall notify an area agency on aging within 2 weeks after a
grant award to a nonprofit located within the jurisdiction of the area agency on aging.

         (i) The Department may adopt regulations for receiving and considering
applications and for disbursing funds to applicants.

         SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July
1, 2026.

Approved by the Governor, May 26, 2026.

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