Legislative Wrap-Up
Amphitheater
Join policy and advocacy experts in a panel discussion on the outcomes of the 2026 Maryland Legislative session. Learn about the Maryland state budget for developmental disabilities services and education, and hear about the successes and disappointments of this past legislative session. There were a variety of fantastic bills passed in 2026 that have implications for people with IDD and their family members. This is your chance to dive into them, and make plans for the future of our advocacy!
About the Presenters
Ande Kolp‘s career spans more than three decades of experience supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. Before coming to The Arc Maryland in 2017, she was the Executive Director for Compass, Inc., a private nonprofit organization specializing in Community Living and Employment Services for people with co-occurring IDD and mental health conditions living in Montgomery, Prince George’s, Howard, and Charles Counties. Ande has served in different capacities for four other chapters of The Arc in Maryland, including Prince George’s County, Howard County, Montgomery County, and Baltimore.
As a registered lobbyist and advocate for The Arc Maryland, Ande spends much of her time analyzing and developing policy, providing information and training to others, and working to empower our grassroots network. Ande is a Commissioner on the Maryland Commission for Individuals with Disabilities (since 2020), the Board President of Silhouette Stages, a nonprofit community theater company, and a Board Member of Maryland Inclusive Housing. Ande holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from the University of Iowa and a Master’s degree in Special Education with a Concentration in Severe Disabilities from Johns Hopkins University.
For more than 20 years, Laura Howell has served as the Executive Director of the Maryland Association of Community Services (MACS), a nonprofit association of over 100 agencies providing community-based supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Laura has led several successful advocacy campaigns, including passage of first-in-the-nation legislation to link funding for direct support wages to an increase in the state minimum wage.
In 2015, Laura was named one of the 51 Most Influential Marylanders by The Daily Record. In 2017, she and the organization she leads, MACS, was named one of the Innovators of the Year by The Daily Record for work supporting IDD providers in transforming supports to achieve greater self-direction and community inclusion. Laura holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Community Planning, both from the University of Maryland.
Mat Rice is the Executive Director for People On the Go of Maryland. He has over a decade of experience working for disability advocacy organizations, including Shared Support Maryland and The Arc Maryland. He is a 2007 graduate of the Maryland School for the Blind and Parkville High School. Mat is now a staple in Annapolis, focusing his efforts on state legislation and public policy affecting the lives of Marylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He is the current chair of the Developmental Disabilities Administration’s Quality Advisory Council, a Maryland Works Inc. board member, and a former board member of the Maryland Association of Community Services (MACS). Outside of his lifelong self-advocacy, Mat enjoys public speaking, science fiction, and various other pursuits.
Rachel London is the Executive Director of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, a statewide public policy and advocacy organization that creates change to make it possible for people with developmental disabilities to live the lives they want with the support they need. Rachel has been with the Council for 15 years, serving as the Director of Children & Family Policy and Deputy Director prior to becoming Executive Director.
Rachel earned her Bachelor’s Degree and Law Degree from the University of Maryland. After law school, she was a staff attorney at Disability Rights Maryland, where she was active in many important civil rights issues for adults with developmental disabilities, including the closure of the Rosewood Center.