§ 15-1201

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

(b) “Advisory Group” means the Maryland Interested Parties Advisory Group established under § 15–1202 of this subtitle and required under 42 C.F.R. § 447.203.

(c) “Applicable service categories” means homemaker services, home health aide services, personal care services, and habilitation services.

(d) “Consumer” means an applicant for, a recipient of, or an individual eligible for Medicaid home– and community–based services, or the individual’s authorized representative.

(e) “Consumer organization” means a State or local consumer advocacy group or other community–based organization that represents the interests of, or provides direct services to, consumers of Medicaid home– and community–based services.

(f) “Direct care worker” means an individual:

(1) Employed by a Medicaid provider, State agency, or third party;

(2) Who contracts with a Medicaid provider, State agency, or third party;

(3) Delivering services under a self–directed services delivery model; or

(4) Who is paid to provide home– and community–based services through an applicable service category.

(g) “Home– and community–based services” means Medicaid home– and community–based services delivered through the State plan, a waiver under § 1915(c) of the federal Social Security Act, a managed care program, or other demonstration program.

(h) “Personal care” has the meaning stated under § 19–301 of this article.

(i) “Provider association” means a trade association that represents direct care employers.

(j) “Worker organization” means an organization that:

(1) Is exempt from federal income taxation under §§ 501(c)(3) through (6) of the Internal Revenue Code;

(2) Is not dominated, controlled, or funded by a direct care employer; and

(3) Has at least 2 years of demonstrated experience engaging with and advocating for direct care workers.