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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

5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Child support relief during VPAs

Beginning October 1, 2026, child support rules change for families using a voluntary placement agreement. Any state‑owed child support that built up before October 1, 2026 for these cases is not enforceable or collectible. Local departments must tell parents they can ask the court to change support. The state does not require a referral to Child Support Enforcement when doing so would harm the child or slow permanency, and courts may not order support in those cases. The state may not take assignment of a child’s support rights if that would cause those harms. By October 1, 2026, Child Support Enforcement must file to modify any child support order issued under a VPA.

Faster, safer out‑of‑home placements

Beginning October 1, 2026, the state runs a program for out‑of‑home placements. It covers children in court‑ordered care and children placed by a parent under a voluntary agreement for up to 180 days. Local departments must provide 24/7 care, time‑limited reunification services, and plan for permanency at the same time. Parents keep legal and school decision rights unless they agree to transfer them. For VPA requests for a child with a developmental disability or mental illness, the department meets within 5 business days and gives a written decision within 5 business days after. Each department names a staff contact and gets yearly training. The reasonable‑efforts rule does not force parents to try every home‑ and community‑based service first when safety is at risk.

Help for former foster youth

Beginning October 1, 2026, a new track helps some former foster youth return to or stay in care. It covers people whose commitment ended after age 18 but before 20 years and 6 months and who did not leave by reunification, adoption, guardianship, marriage, or military service. Local departments may not seek custody under a voluntary placement for them. They may stay past 180 days if they follow program rules and a juvenile court finds it is in their best interests. Before emancipation, departments must explain how to reenter care, and they must contact and advise any former youth they know is homeless.

Stronger protections for disabled children

Beginning October 1, 2026, the law protects children with developmental disabilities or mental illness in voluntary placements. Local departments may not seek custody or guardianship when the sole goal is to get treatment the parent cannot provide. A child may stay past 180 days if the disability requires continued care and a juvenile court finds it is in the child’s best interests. Disability is defined consistent with the ADA Amendments Act. For Medicaid‑eligible children seeking psychiatric residential treatment under a VPA, the local department must refer and notify the local behavioral health authority.

No removals for homelessness alone

Beginning October 1, 2026, a child cannot be removed just because a parent is homeless, has a disability, or cannot afford treatment for the child. When housing is the issue, local departments must refer the family to emergency shelter and homeless‑family services.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Heather Bagnall

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Tiffany T. Alston

    Democratic • House

  • Bonnie Cullison

    Democratic • House

  • Pam Lanman Guzzone

    Democratic • House

  • 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

  • Matthew Morgan

    Republican • House

  • Ashanti Martinez

    Democratic • 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

All Roll Calls

Yes: 296 • No: 0

House vote • 4/10/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 129 • No: 0 • Other: 9

Senate vote • 4/9/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 40 • No: 0 • Other: 3

House vote • 3/21/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 127 • No: 0 • Other: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 159

    4/28/2026

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/10/2026House

  3. Third Reading Passed (129-0)

    4/10/2026House

  4. House Concurs Senate Amendments

    4/10/2026House

  5. Third Reading Passed (40-0)

    4/9/2026Senate

  6. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/9/2026Senate

  7. Floor Amendment {393928/1 (Chair, Judicial Proceedings Committee) Adopted

    4/9/2026Senate

  8. Favorable Adopted

    4/9/2026Senate

  9. Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings

    4/9/2026Senate

  10. Hearing 4/03 at 1:00 p.m.

    3/25/2026Senate

  11. Referred Judicial Proceedings

    3/23/2026Senate

  12. Third Reading Passed (127-0)

    3/21/2026House

  13. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/20/2026House

  14. Favorable with Amendments {133828/1 Adopted

    3/20/2026House

  15. Favorable with Amendments Report by Appropriations

    3/20/2026House

  16. Hearing 3/03 at 1:00 p.m. (Appropriations)

    2/17/2026House

  17. First Reading Appropriations and Health

    2/11/2026House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    4/28/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/10/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/20/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    2/11/2026

    PDF

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