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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.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New guardian aid with eligibility limits

Beginning October 1, 2027, Maryland creates a Guardianship Assistance Program providing money and medical help for permanent guardianship homes. Guardians must be appointed under Family Law § 5-326 or Courts Article § 3-819.2. The child must have lived in their home in foster care for at least six consecutive months immediately before appointment. Guardians must sign a written, voluntary assistance agreement with a local department before appointment. Approved aid may continue after age 18 while the young person attends school, works at least part time, joins an employment-opportunity program, or cannot work because of a disability. Aid ends no later than the young person's 21st birthday. Local departments review aid annually and may end it if an adult in the home is under criminal-court supervision after a violent-crime conviction involving a child victim, or must register under Criminal Procedure § 11-704. The Secretary of Human Services must adopt rules to run the program.

New complaint advocate for foster youth

Beginning October 1, 2027, Maryland creates a State Foster Youth Ombudsman within the Department of Human Services. Youth in out-of-home care can bring complaints about services and rights to this office. The ombudsman investigates complaints, advocates for youth, and provides expertise on child welfare, custody, guardianship, appeals, and due process. The Secretary appoints a full-time Management Service employee who must be a Maryland-licensed attorney with child-welfare experience. Removal requires a hearing before the Department and a finding of incompetency or other good cause.

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

    Republican • 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

  • Mangione

    Affiliation unavailable

  • 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

    Republican • 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

All Roll Calls

Yes: 172 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 45 • No: 0 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/21/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 127 • No: 0 • Other: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 158

    4/28/2026

  2. Returned Passed

    4/13/2026House

  3. Third Reading Passed (45-0)

    4/13/2026Senate

  4. Second Reading Passed

    4/9/2026Senate

  5. Favorable Adopted

    4/9/2026Senate

  6. Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings

    4/9/2026Senate

  7. Hearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m.

    3/25/2026Senate

  8. Referred Judicial Proceedings

    3/23/2026Senate

  9. Third Reading Passed (127-0)

    3/21/2026House

  10. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/20/2026House

  11. Favorable with Amendments {843124/1 Adopted

    3/20/2026House

  12. Favorable with Amendments Report by Judiciary

    3/20/2026House

  13. Hearing 2/26 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/9/2026House

  14. First Reading Judiciary

    2/6/2026House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    4/28/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/20/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    2/6/2026

    PDF

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