Maryland took a major step forward in preparing for its aging population when Governor Wes Moore signed the Longevity Ready Maryland (LRM) Act into law.
The bipartisan legislation, House Bill 278 and Senate Bill 113, passed the General Assembly and was signed today. It establishes a permanent, multi-agency framework to help individuals and communities thrive as they age.
“Our administration is committed to giving every Marylander a shot at a long, healthy life, and the LRM Act gives us the map to get there,” said Governor Wes Moore. “By committing to a strategy that breaks down silos between agencies and invests in people at every age, we are building a more resilient state where every resident as they age has the tools to navigate life’s changes with dignity and security, leaving no one behind.”
The law moves Maryland beyond temporary programs. It requires collaboration across transportation, housing, health and commerce. Key provisions include making the Maryland Department of Aging a lead advocate across state agencies, modernizing the Commission on Aging with experts in technology, health care and consumer protection, and requiring annual public reports plus a comprehensive update every four years.
“With the LRM Act we are building a future where we thrive at every age,” said Secretary of Aging Carmel Roques. “We have positioned the state to make longer lives better by focusing on the essentials of health, housing, and financial security. We are leading the nation in preparing for a major demographic shift, with one in four Marylanders projected to be 60 or older in less than four years.”
Maryland is now the first state to enact legislation specifically addressing the impact of longevity and the sixth to turn a multisector aging plan into permanent law. The effort began with a 2024 executive order and a 2025 multisector plan. The LRM Act codifies four core goals: building a longevity ecosystem, promoting economic opportunity, preparing residents to afford longevity, and optimizing health, wellness and mobility.
In Southern Maryland, the law has direct local impact. Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties have large and growing senior populations. Local Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers and health departments already coordinate services such as transportation, meal delivery and caregiver support. The LRM Act will help align state resources to expand these efforts, improve housing options and strengthen community programs for older adults.
The Department of Aging released the first LRM Annual Report in January 2026. For more information, visit the official LRM website.
