BALTIMORE (AP) - A Baltimore judge says Maryland is processing nearly all of its food stamp applications on time.

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The Baltimore Sun reports that Thursday's decision resolves a lawsuit that accused the state of failing to timely process the applications.

Human Resources Secretary Ted Dallas says the state has been processing at least 96 percent of the applications on time for 19 months in a row. States are generally expected to process applications within 30 days of receiving them.

Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Barry Williams in 2009 gave the state one year to improve to 83.5 percent the rate of applications processed within 30 days or less.

Advocates who brought the case say they're concerned the state doesn't have measures in place to ensure permanent progress.