All Roll Calls
Yes: 169 • No: 0
MarylandHB 15592026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Children in Unlicensed Settings and Pediatric Hospital Overstay Patients - Placement
Sponsored By: Mike Griffith (Republican)
Signed by Governor
ChildrenSocial Services - GenerallyAdministrative AgenciesAge -see also- Age of Maj; Children; Elderly; Inf&Tod.; etcChildren (4-12)Committees and CommissionsCourts -see also- AppCt; Circuit; District; Orphans'; etc.Data -see also- Census; DemographicsDemographics -see also- Census; DataDisabilities, Department ofDisabilitiesEducation, State Board ofElectronic DocumentsElectronic GovernmentEmergency Medical Services -see also- Ambul; RescSqdEthnic AffairsEvaluations and ReviewsFamily Law -see also- Adoption; Alimony; Annulment; etc.FormsFoster CareGender Identity and Expression -see also- Gender; LGB; etc.GovernorGroup Homes -see also- Foster Care; JuvFacil; SubsAbTrtHealth -see also- COVID19; EnvHlth; MedCon; etc.Health Care CommissionHealth, Department ofHealth Occupations -see also- (specific health occupations)Hospitals -see also- Clinics; State HospitalsHotels and MotelsHousing -see also- Apartments; Condos; Mobile & Manuf HomesHuman Services, Department ofInformation TechnologyInsurance AdministrationIntergovernmental Cooperation -see also- AdmAgn; Cmts; etc.Interstate AffairsJob Training -see also- Continuing Ed; Vocational RehabJuvenile Services, Department ofKinship -see also- Parents and GuardiansLicenses -see also- AB Lic; Certifications; DrLic; PermitsMeetings -see also- Hearings; Open GovernmentMental and Behavioral Health -see also- Aut; Cogn; Dev; etc.Minors -see also- Age of Majority; YouthOmbudsmenParents and GuardiansPatientsPlans and ProposalsProcurementPublic Benefits -see also- Housing; MedAsst; SupplNutrAsstPRacial Matters -see also- Ethnic Affairs; MinoritiesRecords -see also- Land Records; Vital RecordsReportsResidency -see also- Immigrants and CitizenshipRespite CareReview BoardsSocial Services -see also- Public BenefitsStandards and Best PracticesStudies -see also- Commitees & Commissions; ReportsSunsetYouth (10-21) -see also- Minors
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Ban on unlicensed child placements, including hospital overstays
The law bans placing children in any unlicensed setting. A hospital inpatient unit or ER counts as unlicensed if a patient under 22 stays more than 48 hours after medical clearance. It clarifies who is a “child in an unlicensed setting,” including hotels, shelters, and office buildings used over 12 hours, with specific exclusions. DHS is treated as compliant while it is actively searching for a placement for an overstay child. Hospitals must still follow all state and federal discharge rules.
Coordinators and alerts for pediatric overstays
The Health and Human Services departments each have a Pediatric Hospital Overstay Coordinator. Hospitals must immediately alert coordinators when a patient under 22 stays over 48 hours after medical clearance. Coordinators must notify the Placement Manager right away, coordinate with agencies and providers, and keep case data like length of stay, needed services, and placement options. They send monthly reports to the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and the review panel.
Rapid response team to find placements
If a pediatric overstay lasts more than 72 hours, the Placement Manager must convene a Rapid Response Placement Team within 48 hours of notice (72 hours if notified on Friday). The team includes the Senior Advisor, Overstay Coordinators, and, when relevant, 211, local social services, the hospital, and the unlicensed setting. The team meets right away, communicates daily until a placement is found, and meets at least weekly. It can secure immediate licensed placements, override local decisions to get a clinically appropriate, least restrictive setting, and allow DHS to use emergency procurement. Out‑of‑state placement is only allowed if no in‑state option exists, and the provider must stay in contact with the parent or guardian.
State panel reviews every overstay case
The law creates a Child and Youth Placement Review Panel in the Governor’s Office for Children. It includes leaders from Health, Human Services, Education, Juvenile Services, advocates, caseworkers, licensed clinicians, 211, and the Overstay Coordinators. A full‑time Placement Manager leads, keeps official records, and coordinates cases. The panel reviews every pediatric overstay or unlicensed setting case, makes referrals, and reports to the General Assembly each July 1 starting in 2027.
Council to expand beds and crisis care
The Interagency Council on Children, Youth, and Families meets monthly and is chaired by the Special Secretary. It must count licensed, staffed, and physical beds by type and agency, build real‑time tracking for pediatric overstays (including youth on voluntary placement agreements), set uniform data with a central repository, and plan to expand mobile response and stabilization statewide by 2030. Reports are due to the Governor, the Placement Manager, and the General Assembly by January 1, 2027 and January 1, 2028.
Advisory council to improve kids’ care
The law creates an Advisory Council on Maryland’s System of Care for Children, Youth, and Families, chaired by the Special Secretary. Members include state officials and governor‑appointed experts, parents, providers, hospitals, and people with foster care experience. The council meets quarterly and holds joint meetings twice a year with the Interagency Council. It reviews laws and rules that affect access to care, recommends changes, finds grants, helps with applications, and suggests better foster parent supports. The Governor may move positions and funds from the prior Workgroup to the Governor’s Office for Children to support this work.
Start and end dates for sections
Section 2 takes effect January 1, 2027. The Act also sets a separate section labeled “Section 2 3” to start October 1, 2026 and end September 30, 2029. These dates set when those parts of the law start and stop.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Mike Griffith
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Dana Jones
Democratic • House
Gabriel Acevero
Democratic • House
Tiffany T. Alston
Democratic • House
Heather Bagnall
Democratic • House
Ben Barnes
Democratic • House
Barry Beauchamp
Republican • House
Mark S. Chang
Democratic • House
Bonnie Cullison
Democratic • House
Dana Jones
Democratic • House
Mark Edelson
Democratic • House
Catherine M. Forbes
Democratic • House
Jefferson L. Ghrist
Republican • House
Guy Guzzone
Democratic • Senate
Andrea Fletcher Harrison
Democratic • House
Terri L. Hill
Democratic • House
Jim Hinebaugh
Republican • House
Thomas S. Hutchinson
Republican • House
Julian Ivey
Democratic • House
Anne R. Kaiser
Democratic • House
Aaron M. Kaufman
Democratic • House
Nicholaus R. Kipke
Republican • House
Lesley J. Lopez
Democratic • House
Todd B. Morgan
Republican • House
Ashanti Martinez
House
Aletheia McCaskill
Democratic • House
Ric Metzgar
Republican • House
Teresa E. Reilly
Republican • House
Samuel I. Rosenberg
Democratic • House
Kim Ross
Democratic • House
Malcolm P. Ruff
Democratic • House
Steve Johnson
Democratic • House
Emily Shetty
Democratic • House
William C. Smith
Democratic • Senate
Ryan Spiegel
Democratic • House
Joshua J. Stonko
Republican • House
Kathy Szeliga
Republican • House
Deni Taveras
Democratic • House
Karen Toles
Democratic • House
Ron Watson
Democratic • Senate
Jennifer White Holland
Democratic • House
Sarah Wolek
Democratic • House
Teresa Woorman
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/10/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 3
House vote • 3/21/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 127 • No: 0 • Other: 8
Actions Timeline
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 160
4/28/2026Returned Passed
4/11/2026HouseThird Reading Passed (42-0)
4/10/2026SenateSecond Reading Passed
4/8/2026SenateFavorable Adopted
4/8/2026SenateFavorable Report by Finance
4/8/2026SenateHearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m.
3/25/2026SenateReferred Finance
3/23/2026SenateThird Reading Passed (127-0)
3/21/2026HouseSecond Reading Passed with Amendments
3/20/2026HouseFavorable with Amendments {533426/1 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
2/13/2026House
Bill Text
Third Reading
3/20/2026
First Reading
2/13/2026
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