Maryland § 3.5-701

§ 3.5-701.

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

    (b)    “Eligible participant” means a resident of the State who is at least 60 years old.

    (c)    “Person of record” includes a local law enforcement unit or other local government agency or a designee of the participant that chooses to participate in the Program.

    (d)    “Program” means the Senior Call–Check and Social Connections Program.

    (e)    (1)    “Senior call–check and social connections” means regular, direct communication from the Department of Aging or the Department of Aging’s designee to an eligible participant.

        (2)    “Senior call–check and social connections” includes:

            (i)    an automated or live telephone call or other direct communication initiated by an eligible participant or received by an eligible participant at a regularly scheduled time each day;

            (ii)    if the eligible participant does not answer or initiate the regularly scheduled call or other direct communication and the Secretary of Aging designs the Program to require this action, one or more automated or live telephone calls or other direct communications to the eligible participant;

            (iii)    if the eligible participant does not answer a telephone call or other direct communication made under item (ii) of this paragraph, an additional automated or live telephone call or other direct communication to notify a person of record whose name has been provided to the Department of Aging; and

            (iv)    a notification to the eligible participant regarding information that the Secretary of Aging has determined to be relevant.

    (f)    “Regular, direct communication” means regular interactions initiated or received by the Department of Aging or the Department’s designee that:

        (1)    may include telephone calls, text messages, web–based, virtual, video, or in–person communications, and other forms of communication approved by the Department; and

        (2)    are accessible to eligible participants with disabilities.

    (g)    “Village” means local, volunteer–led organizations that aim to support community members who choose to age in place, including by:

        (1)    organizing events; and

        (2)    fostering social connections through activities and coordinating volunteer help at home using the neighbor–helping–neighbor model.