MD HB1458

Establishes a State Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Refugees and Asylees, administered by the Department of Human Services, to provide food assistance benefits to eligible households

Targets refugees and asylees who have been in the U.S. for 60 months or less, including those admitted under federal refugee/asylee statutes, Afghan and Ukrainian humanitarian parolees, trafficking victims, and Iraqi/Afghan special immigrant visa holders

Covers households that were eligible for federal SNAP benefits on July 3, 2025, but lost eligibility after that date due to changes in federal law

Eligible populations include lawful permanent residents, qualified aliens under the 1996 welfare reform law, parolees, noncitizens with work authorization, and those with military or disability-related exemptions

Requires the Department to adopt regulations for verifying eligibility; effective date is July 1, 2026