All Roll Calls
Yes: 172 • No: 0
MarylandHB 09802026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Family Law and Human Services - Guardianship Assistance Program and State Foster Youth Ombudsman - Establishment (Kanaiyah's Law)
Sponsored By: Mike Griffith (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Family LawChildrenState Government - Agencies, Offices, and OfficialsAdministrative AgenciesAge of MajorityAttorneysAttorney GeneralBudget and Management, Department ofBudgets -see also- Capital BudgetsChild Custody -see also- VisitationCircuit CourtsCommercial PropertyComplaintsCrimes and Punishments -see also- Penalties and Sentnc; etc.Criminal Background InvestigationsDisabilitiesDisclosureDiscriminationEducation -see also- ContEd; DrvEd; HigherEd; etc.Electronic GovernmentEx-OffendersFoster CareGroup Homes -see also- Foster Care; JuvFacil; SubsAbTrtHealth -see also- COVID19; EnvHlth; MedCon; etc.HearingsHotels and MotelsHousing -see also- Apartments; Condos; Mobile & Manuf HomesHuman Services, Department ofInspections -see also- Motor Vehicle InspectionInvestigations and Inquiries -see also- Crim Bckgrnd InvestJudgesJudicial Review -see also- AppealsJuvenile Justice and DelinquencyLaw Enforcement -see also- SRO; Sheriffs; State PoliceLegislation -see also- Correct Leg; Cur Leg; Emerg BillsLicenses -see also- AB Lic; Certifications; DrLic; PermitsMinors -see also- Age of Majority; YouthNoticesOathsOmbudsmenParents and GuardiansPenalties and Sentences -see also- Death PenaltyPetitionsPrivacyPublic InformationRecords -see also- Land Records; Vital RecordsRecruitment and HiringRegistration -see also- Motor Vehicle RegistrationReportsRules and RegulationsSafety -see also- Occupational SafetySalaries and Compensation -see also- Overtime; Reimb. RatesSocial Services -see also- Public BenefitsSocial WorkersStandards and Best PracticesState Aid -see also- Public BenefitsState EmployeesState Police, Department ofSubpoenasTelephonesTestimony -see also- WitnessesTimeTrialsWitnessesWork, Labor, and Employment -see also- JobTrn; Leave; etc.
Your PRIA Score
Score Hidden
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Guardianship order ends agency case
When a court grants custody and guardianship, the child’s commitment to the local department ends. The guardian takes responsibility for the child’s care and services. The court closes the case unless it finds good cause to keep it open. Agency duties continue only where state criminal‑history rules for adults in the home apply.
Safer placements and guardian home checks
If a court places a child with you, you must tell the local department right away when a new adult moves in who has not passed the state criminal history check. As a guardian, you must regularly list all adults living in your home so checks can be completed. If a criminal history check raises safety concerns, the local department must ask the court to review the guardianship. The court must hold a hearing within 30 days and can set aside the order and reopen the case if that is best for the child. The state also bans placing children in unlicensed out‑of‑home settings.
Money and medical help for guardians
The law creates a Guardianship Assistance Program. If you are appointed guardian and the child lived with you in foster care for at least six straight months, you can get money and medical help. You must have signed a written agreement with the local department before appointment. Help can continue after age 18 if the youth is in school, works part time, is in a job program, or cannot work because of a disability. All help stops by the 21st birthday. The local department reviews your case each year and can end help if an adult in your home is under criminal supervision for a violent child‑victim crime or must register as a sex offender. The Human Services Secretary must issue program rules.
New child welfare ombudsmen and protections
The law creates two ombudsmen for child welfare. One in the Attorney General’s office oversees agencies and investigates complaints. One in the Human Services Department advocates for foster youth and investigates youth concerns. They can review records, interview people, and issue subpoenas, and courts can enforce them. The offices are funded in the state budget and can hire staff; emergency funds may be requested if needed. Complaint records are confidential. No one may retaliate against someone who files a complaint or helps an advocate; breaking this law is a misdemeanor with up to a $5,000 fine, up to 5 years in jail, or both. The office must issue quarterly updates and an annual report each year starting in 2028 by November 30. The law also clarifies definitions so the ombudsman subtitle stands on its own.
Free Policy Watch
You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.
Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.
Pick a topic to get started
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Mike Griffith
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Gabriel Acevero
Democratic • House
Christopher T. Adams
Republican • House
Jackie Addison
Democratic • House
H. Kevin Anderson
Republican • House
Steven J. Arentz
Republican • House
Lauren Arikan
Republican • House
Terry L. Baker
Republican • House
Barry Beauchamp
Republican • House
Regina T. Boyce
Democratic • House
Jason C. Buckel
House
Jon S. Cardin
Democratic • House
Brian Chisholm
Republican • House
Barrie S. Ciliberti
Republican • House
Derrick Coley
Democratic • House
Frank M. Conaway
Democratic • House
Eric Ebersole
Democratic • House
Mark Edelson
Democratic • House
Elizabeth Embry
Democratic • House
Kris Fair
Democratic • House
Jessica Feldmark
Democratic • House
Jefferson L. Ghrist
Republican • House
Wayne A. Hartman
Republican • House
Jim Hinebaugh
Republican • House
Kevin B. Hornberger
Republican • House
Thomas S. Hutchinson
Republican • House
Julian Ivey
Democratic • House
Jay A. Jacobs
Republican • House
Nicholaus R. Kipke
Republican • House
Nino Mangione
Republican • House
Susan K. McComas
Republican • House
Ric Metzgar
Republican • House
April Miller
Republican • House
Bernice Mireku-North
Democratic • House
Gabriel M. Moreno
Democratic • House
LaToya Nkongolo
Republican • House
Julie Palakovich Carr
Democratic • House
Cheryl E. Pasteur
Democratic • House
Edith J. Patterson
Democratic • House
N. Scott Phillips
Democratic • House
Jesse T. Pippy
House
Robert B. Long
Republican • House
Teresa E. Reilly
Republican • House
Kent Roberson
Democratic • House
Mike Rogers
Democratic • House
April Rose
Republican • House
Malcolm P. Ruff
Democratic • House
Stuart Michael Schmidt
Republican • House
Gary Simmons
Democratic • House
Karen Simpson
Democratic • House
Sean A. Stinnett
Democratic • House
Joshua J. Stonko
Republican • House
Todd B. Morgan
Republican • House
Kym Taylor
Democratic • House
Chris Tomlinson
Republican • House
William Valentine
Republican • House
Joe Vogel
Democratic • House
Jennifer White Holland
Democratic • House
Jheanelle K. Wilkins
Democratic • House
C. T. Wilson
Democratic • House
William J. Wivell
Republican • House
Jamila J. Woods
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/13/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 45 • No: 0
House vote • 3/21/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 127 • No: 0 • Other: 8
Actions Timeline
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 158
4/28/2026Returned Passed
4/13/2026HouseThird Reading Passed (45-0)
4/13/2026SenateSecond Reading Passed
4/9/2026SenateFavorable Adopted
4/9/2026SenateFavorable Report by Judicial Proceedings
4/9/2026SenateHearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m.
3/25/2026SenateReferred Judicial Proceedings
3/23/2026SenateThird Reading Passed (127-0)
3/21/2026HouseSecond Reading Passed with Amendments
3/20/2026HouseFavorable with Amendments {843124/1 Adopted
3/20/2026HouseFavorable with Amendments Report by Judiciary
3/20/2026HouseHearing 2/26 at 1:00 p.m.
2/9/2026HouseFirst Reading Judiciary
2/6/2026House
Bill Text
Third Reading
3/20/2026
First Reading
2/6/2026
Related Bills
SB 1007 — Prior Authorizations of State Debt - Alterations
SB 0940 — Environment - Water Quality Testing - Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels Action Plan
SB 0915 — State Board of Physicians - Delegation of Duties - Alterations
SB 0777 — Labor and Employment - Workforce Development - Hospital Employee Retraining and Placement Program and Workforce Development and Local Workforce Development Boards (Local Workforce Solutions Investment Act)
SB 0772 — Maryland Department of Health - Employment Training and Opportunity Database
SB 0742 — Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Developmental Disabilities Administration - Home- and Community-Based Services Eligibility Determinations (Maryland Protecting People With Disabilities Act)
Take It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in