Subject: Hogan Administration Announces Maryland Remains Open for Business During Government Shutdown

Resources and Services Available to Marylanders and Federal Employees Affected by the Shutdown

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Hogan administration today announced that all state agencies will remain open amidst the federal government shutdown and citizens who receive or use services provided by the state will continue to have access. Additionally, the state is ready to assist Maryland federal employees affected by the federal government shutdown.

“They may not be doing their jobs in Washington, but here in Maryland, we're working to help those affected by this senseless shutdown,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “I implore all Members of Congress and the Administration to work together and reopen our federal government.”

State agencies have announced the following resources and programs that will remain active throughout the federal government shutdown:

Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation

• The Division of Unemployment Insurance is ready to assist federal employees impacted by the shutdown. Furloughed federal employees should visit www.mdunemployment.com for more information about filing for unemployment during the furlough period.
• The federal government shutdown will not impact normal unemployment processes, so Marylanders with a current claim on file should continue filing the weekly certification.
• All other services provided by the Maryland Department of Labor will continue during the federal government shutdown. DLLR will continue to safeguard and protect Marylanders through our high-quality regulatory, employment, and training services.

Maryland Department of Health

• The department will continue payments for Medicaid, as well as continue to administer childrens’ healthcare insurance.
• The department will continue to track cases of the flu in Maryland.
• State efforts, in coordination will other state agencies, will continue in the fight against the opioid crisis.

Maryland Department of Transportation

• There is no impact to the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, the Maryland Transportation Authority, or the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration or Motor Vehicle Administration.
• Federal Highway Administration is working Monday, and the federal government asserts that there will not be an impact to safety or security services for the traveling public. FAA air traffic controllers and TSA screening personnel, for example, will continue working. No short-term impact to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
• This week, the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration will operate regularly scheduled, full service on Commuter Bus and MARC’s three commuter rail lines (Penn, Camden and Brunswick). MARC also will be prepared to provide additional service on MARC in case of furloughed federal employees are sent home early. Please monitor MDOT MTA’s Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates on MARC and Commuter Bus service, particularly if there is a prolonged federal government shutdown. There will be no impact to regular Bus, Light Rail, or Metro Subway service.

Maryland Department of Human Services

• The Maryland Department of Human Services and all its locations across Maryland are open and fully operational.
• As the state’s primary social service provider, our Department pursues opportunities to assist people in economic need, provide preventive services, and protect vulnerable children and adults in each of Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

• Land managing units remain up and running and are continuing to provide public access for activities including biking, birding, camping, hiking, hunting at state parks, forests, and Wildlife Management Areas.
• The Maryland Forest Service will continue to provide services to woodland property owners as well.
• All licensing and registration centers are operating normally and are assisting customers with boating registration renewals, hunting and fishing licenses, and more.
• The National Estuarine Research Reserves (Jug Bay and Otter Point Creek) are open to visitors.
• All water quality, habitat, and living resource monitoring efforts in the Chesapeake Bay will continue as scheduled. 

Maryland Department of the Environment

• The Maryland Department of the Environment continues to oversee the protection of public health and the environment, including protection of the Chesapeake Bay. We continue to enforce laws, regulations and compliance with environmental permits. Including, in addition to Maryland environmental laws and regulations, responsibilities and authorities previously delegated to the State by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
• The department will continue to provide around-the-clock response to environmental emergencies.
• The department will work to protect and restore our environment through such activities as ambient air monitoring and air quality forecasting, continued work toward meeting our Chesapeake Bay restoration goals, regulation of public drinking water systems and oversight of brownfield sites such as the restoration of the former Sparrows Point steel mill property.

Maryland State Department of Education

• Most federal education programs providing service to local school systems will not be affected by the shutdown. Major programs providing aid to schools that serve large numbers of low-income students (Title I), assisting special education students (IDEA), and funding career and technical education programs have already received their budgets for the current school year. MSDE will work with local school systems to help answer questions they may have during this period.

Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs

• The Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs is operating normally and is available to answer any questions related to the shutdown and VA benefits. We will continue to provide representation to our veterans as they seek benefits assistance from the VA.
• Charlotte Hall Veterans Home and the Maryland Veterans Cemetery Program remain operational with no impact on the ability to care for our veterans or to provide perpetual care to our Cemeteries.

Maryland Department of Disabilities

• The Maryland Department of Disabilities will continue to provide programs, services, and constituent support in the following areas:
• The Maryland Technology Assistance Program, a program within the Maryland Department of Disabilities, houses a large inventory of assistive technology available for temporary loan. This inventory is located at loan closets throughout Maryland.
• Department of Disabilities coordinates reimbursement programs for personal care attendants for those previously approved and qualified for this program. These services continue without interruption.
• Department of Disabilities coordinates affordable housing programs for people with disabilities. This coordination continues without interruption.
• Our dedicated Constituent Outreach Department is monitored seven days per week via phone, online and social media. Staff are available to provide referrals, references, and coordination for cases involving families and individuals with disabilities.
• Durable medical equipment is available for loan through our partners. Access to DME not immediately available can be requested through the Lion’s Club.
• Financial loans for assistive technology, adapted vehicles, and accessibility improvements to a residence are available through our Assistive Technology Loan Program-expedited loans will be considered during times of crisis.

Maryland State Police

• Maryland State Police services will continue unaffected. In addition to patrol, this includes aviation medevac flights, the processing of regulated firearm purchase applications, and commercial vehicle enforcement operations. 

Maryland National Guard

• The Maryland National Guard stands ready to respond if needed in a state emergency. All of our personnel and equipment would be available to the state regardless of the federal government shutdown.
• Soldiers and Airmen that are currently deployed will remain on active duty.
• The Civil Support team and the Counterdrug task force are exempt and will continue to support first responders and local law enforcement.
• Our Honor Guard will continue to provide funeral honors for our veterans.
• Our state employees for the Maryland Military Department are unaffected. As always, the Maryland National Guard will remain, always ready, always there.

Maryland Emergency Management Agency

• MEMA continues to coordinate support for and with our local, state, private sector, and non-governmental partners before, during, and after emergencies, disasters, and complex situations to ensure an efficient government response to and recovery from incidents within Maryland.
• The Maryland Joint Operations Center, MEMA’s 24/7/365 coordination point, continues to operate and monitor incidents throughout the state.

Maryland Department of Budget and Management

• The Department of Budget and Management continues to remain open for Marylanders.
• Maryland Business Express--our award-winning online portal for starting a business, submitting annual filings, and requesting document copies--allows business owners to interact with our Department when it's convenient for them.
• SDAT's 24 local offices in every County and Baltimore City will be open Monday through Friday to respond to customer inquiries during this assessment season.

Maryland Department of General Services

• All state building (owned or leased) will be open as usual so residents can conduct business with the state.
• All state refueling sites will be open as usual for refueling.

Maryland Department of Information Technology

• The Maryland Department of Information Technology and its employees remain fully operational, without interruption, amid the current federal government shutdown. We continue to actively provide services to Maryland residents across the state, without reliance on federal government resources.
• The central portal for all residents, living and working in Maryland, Maryland.gov remains active. The #1 resource for connecting Marylanders with state government resources, across all departments, throughout the state, maryland.gov remains uncompromised due to the federal government shutdown: http://www.maryland.gov/pages/online_services.aspx

Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems

• The delivery of EMS care to Maryland's citizens will not be impacted. MIEMSS will continue its work to oversee and coordinate emergency medical services in Maryland.

Maryland Insurance Administration

• The Maryland Insurance Administration continues to provide Maryland consumers with help with any insurance issues.

Public Service Commission

• The Public Service Commission will continue to fully staff all pipeline safety activities and any emergency response operations during the federal shutdown.