All Roll Calls
Yes: 296 • No: 0
MarylandHB 11812026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Family Law - Children in Out-of-Home Placement - Voluntary Placement Agreements
Sponsored By: Heather Bagnall (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Family LawPublic HealthBudgets -see also- Capital BudgetsChild Custody -see also- VisitationCommittees and CommissionsCommunity Facilities and ServicesDevelopmental DisabilitiesElectronic GovernmentFoster CareGroup Homes -see also- Foster Care; JuvFacil; SubsAbTrtHealth Care Facilities -see also- Clinics; Hospices; etcHealth, Department ofHealth Occupations -see also- (specific health occupations)Hospitals -see also- Clinics; State HospitalsHuman Services, Department ofIntergovernmental Cooperation -see also- AdmAgn; Cmts; etc.Legislation -see also- Correct Leg; Cur Leg; Emerg BillsLow-IncomeMedical AssistanceMedical TreatmentsMental and Behavioral Health -see also- Aut; Cogn; Dev; etc.NoticesParents and GuardiansPetitionsReportsSocial Services -see also- Public BenefitsSupport of Dependents -see also- AlimonyTimeTrauma Informed Approach -see also- Mental&Behavioral Health
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Child support relief in placements
When a family enters a VPA, the state tells parents they can ask the court to change child support. The Administration cannot send a case to Child Support Enforcement just because of a VPA, and Child Support Enforcement must file to modify any VPA‑based order by October 1, 2026. Courts and the State may not order or accept support that hurts the child or delays permanency. On October 1, 2026, any child support balance owed to the State from before that date for a child in a VPA becomes unenforceable and uncollectible.
Faster voluntary placement for families
Beginning October 1, 2026, the state runs a formal out‑of‑home placement program with a 180‑day default for voluntary placement agreements (VPAs). When a local department gets a VPA request, it sets an assessment within 5 business days and sends a written eligibility decision within 5 business days after the meeting. Any delay must be reported with reasons and fixes. Each local department names a staff contact to handle these cases, and the state provides yearly training.
Stronger rights, longer care for disabled kids
Beginning October 1, 2026, parents who use a VPA keep their legal and school decision rights unless they agree otherwise, and agencies cannot force custody surrender to get services. A child cannot be placed out of home only because a parent lacks shelter, has a disability, or cannot pay for a child’s disability care. For a child with a developmental disability or mental illness, a court can allow placement to continue past 180 days when needed and in the child’s best interests. The law uses the ADA‑based definition of disability. Local departments may not seek guardianship in VPAs used to obtain disability‑related treatment the parent cannot provide. The “reasonable efforts” rule puts the child’s safety first and allows adoption or guardianship planning at the same time as reunification work.
Quicker shelter and mental health help
Beginning October 1, 2026, if a family with a child has no shelter, local departments must refer them to emergency shelter and other services. For a child who is the subject of a VPA request for psychiatric residential treatment and is eligible for Medical Assistance, the local department must notify and directly refer the child to the local behavioral health authority. These steps speed access to safe housing and needed treatment.
Reentry to care for former foster youth
Beginning October 1, 2026, former foster youth can reenter care under a VPA if their commitment ended after age 18 but before age 20 years and 6 months, and they did not exit by reunification, adoption, guardianship, marriage, or military service. Local departments must give written notice before emancipation about the right to reenter and must contact any homeless former CINA to explain the steps. The Administration also adopts rules that match 11 federal eligibility requirements for help to adults age 18 or older.
State tracking of placements and hospital waits
The law creates a Workgroup on children in unlicensed settings and pediatric hospital overstays. The Workgroup reports findings and funding ideas by October 1, 2026. Each local department files yearly VPA data by July 1, 2027 and every July 1 after. DHS publishes statewide totals by December 1, 2027 and every December 1 after. DHS and the Health Department submit a joint outcomes report by October 1, 2029.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Heather Bagnall
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Tiffany T. Alston
Democratic • House
Bonnie Cullison
Democratic • House
Guy Guzzone
Democratic • Senate
Terri L. Hill
Democratic • House
Thomas S. Hutchinson
Republican • House
Aaron M. Kaufman
Democratic • House
Nicholaus R. Kipke
Republican • House
Lesley J. Lopez
Democratic • House
Todd B. Morgan
Republican • House
Ashanti Martinez
House
Teresa E. Reilly
Republican • House
Samuel I. Rosenberg
Democratic • House
Kim Ross
Democratic • House
Steve Johnson
Democratic • House
Kathy Szeliga
Republican • House
Deni Taveras
Democratic • House
Jennifer White Holland
Democratic • House
Teresa Woorman
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/10/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 129 • No: 0 • Other: 3
Senate vote • 4/9/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 40 • No: 0 • Other: 4
House vote • 3/21/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 127 • No: 0 • Other: 8
Actions Timeline
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 159
4/28/2026Passed Enrolled
4/10/2026HouseThird Reading Passed (129-0)
4/10/2026HouseHouse Concurs Senate Amendments
4/10/2026HouseThird Reading Passed (40-0)
4/9/2026SenateSecond Reading Passed with Amendments
4/9/2026SenateFloor Amendment {393928/1 (Chair, Judicial Proceedings Committee) Adopted
4/9/2026SenateFavorable Adopted
4/9/2026SenateFavorable Report by Judicial Proceedings
4/9/2026SenateHearing 4/03 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 {133828/1 Adopted
3/20/2026HouseFavorable with Amendments Report by Appropriations
3/20/2026HouseHearing 3/03 at 1:00 p.m. (Appropriations)
2/17/2026HouseFirst Reading Appropriations and Health
2/11/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/10/2026
Third Reading
3/20/2026
First Reading
2/11/2026
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)
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