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MarylandHB 03962026 Regular SessionHouse

Residential Child Care Programs - Education of Children and Training of Child and Youth Care Practitioners

Sponsored By: Cheryl E. Pasteur (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

ChildrenAge -see also- Age of Maj; Children; Elderly; Inf&Tod.; etcCertificationsChild Abuse and NeglectChild CareChildren (4-12)Communications -see also- ElecComm; Intergov; etc.DisabilitiesDisciplineEducation -see also- ContEd; DrvEd; HigherEd; etc.Emergency Medical Services -see also- Ambul; RescSqdFood -see also- Meat, Poultry, & Seafood; Milk; etc.Group Homes -see also- Foster Care; JuvFacil; SubsAbTrtHealth Occupations -see also- (specific health occupations)Higher Education -see also- Comm Colleges; Med Schools; etc.Individualized Education and 504 PlansInternet AccessJob Training -see also- Continuing Ed; Vocational RehabMental and Behavioral Health -see also- Aut; Cogn; Dev; etc.Secondary Schools -see also- Private Schools; Public SchSpecial EducationSports and RecreationYouth (10-21) -see also- Minors

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Grace period for current certified practitioners

If you hold a residential child and youth care practitioner certificate on July 1, 2026, you do not repeat training you already finished. You also do not have to complete new training until your next renewal under the Health Occupations Article. This timing protection takes effect January 1, 2027.

New training standards for residential care workers

To be certified, residential child and youth care practitioners must complete a Board‑approved training program with set topics. Training covers child development, disabilities and learning differences, behaviors that affect learning, abuse and neglect reporting, and suicide risk and prevention. It includes approved discipline and behavior management (including Behavioral Intervention Plans), communication and family collaboration, psychosocial needs, emergency readiness, medication management, and infection control. Annual first aid with CPR is required, and food preparation and nutrition apply when relevant. These training content rules take effect January 1, 2027.

School stability for kids in residential care

Operators of licensed residential child care programs must keep children age 5 or older in their prior school when they have legal custody and the child receives State funding. A local social services department can decide staying is not best. If not best, the child must enroll in the local school system or the program’s approved school. Operators must meet teachers, sign and return report cards, and keep a copy in the child’s case file. They must set regular study time, help with homework and tests, encourage activities, and follow any IEP or 504 plan. They must also provide a computer for high‑school or college coursework. These rules take effect January 1, 2027.

Most new rules start January 2027

The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Cheryl E. Pasteur

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Gabriel Acevero

    Democratic • House

  • Jackie Addison

    Democratic • House

  • Tiffany T. Alston

    Democratic • House

  • Marlon Amprey

    Democratic • House

  • Regina T. Boyce

    Democratic • House

  • Frank M. Conaway

    Democratic • House

  • Charlotte Crutchfield

    Democratic • House

  • Eric Ebersole

    Democratic • House

  • Elizabeth Embry

    Democratic • House

  • Catherine M. Forbes

    Democratic • House

  • Terri L. Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Marvin E. Holmes

    Democratic • House

  • Jeffrie E. Long

    Democratic • House

  • Robbyn Lewis

    Democratic • House

  • Ashanti Martinez

    Democratic • House

  • Aletheia McCaskill

    Democratic • House

  • Bernice Mireku-North

    Democratic • House

  • Edith J. Patterson

    Democratic • House

  • N. Scott Phillips

    Democratic • House

  • Andrew C. Pruski

    Democratic • House

  • Malcolm P. Ruff

    Democratic • House

  • Stuart Michael Schmidt

    Republican • House

  • Gary Simmons

    Democratic • House

  • Dana Stein

    Democratic • House

  • Sean A. Stinnett

    Democratic • House

  • Deni Taveras

    Democratic • House

  • Karen Toles

    Democratic • House

  • Jennifer White Holland

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole A. Williams

    Democratic • House

  • C. T. Wilson

    Democratic • House

  • Greg Wims

    Democratic • House

  • Caylin Young

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 274 • No: 2

House vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 116 • No: 2 • Other: 22

Senate vote • 4/10/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 38 • No: 0 • Other: 6

House vote • 3/6/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 120 • No: 0 • Other: 9

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 640

    5/26/2026

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/13/2026House

  3. Third Reading Passed (116-2)

    4/13/2026House

  4. House Concurs Senate Amendments

    4/13/2026House

  5. Third Reading Passed (38-0)

    4/10/2026Senate

  6. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/10/2026Senate

  7. Favorable with Amendments {893425/1 Adopted

    4/10/2026Senate

  8. Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

    4/10/2026Senate

  9. Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment

    3/9/2026Senate

  10. Third Reading Passed (120-0)

    3/6/2026House

  11. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/5/2026House

  12. Favorable with Amendments {413926/1 Adopted

    3/5/2026House

  13. Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means

    3/4/2026House

  14. Hearing 2/11 at 2:00 p.m.

    2/2/2026House

  15. Hearing canceled

    2/2/2026House

  16. Hearing 2/11 at 1:00 p.m.

    1/28/2026House

  17. First Reading Ways and Means

    1/22/2026House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/26/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/13/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/5/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/22/2026

    PDF

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