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MarylandHB 15592026 Regular SessionHouse

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

6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Children protected from unlicensed placements

Maryland’s out-of-home placement program must prohibit unlicensed placements for children covered by voluntary agreements or court-ordered local department custody. Covered voluntary placements last up to 180 days. Banned settings include hotels, motels, short-term rentals, designated runaway or homeless shelters, offices, and other nonresidential spaces. Hospital units and emergency departments also count when patients under 22 remain over 48 hours after medical clearance to leave or transfer. Exceptions include approved semi-independent living, voluntary placements of former children in need of assistance, and specified kinship, foster-parent, or parent placements.

Emergency purchasing helps secure children’s care

The Rapid Response Placement Team can authorize emergency purchasing of care through Maryland’s Department of Human Services, with required justification. The department can use an in-state or out-of-state provider. Out-of-state placement is allowed only when no Maryland provider offers the care the child needs. An out-of-state provider must communicate with the child’s parent or guardian about treatment and care.

Faster placement response for hospitalized children

Maryland hospitals must immediately notify overstay coordinators through the state’s designated system about qualifying patients under 22. Patients qualify after remaining over 48 hours beyond medical clearance for discharge or transfer. Coordinators must convene a placement team within 48 hours of notice, or 72 hours for Friday notices, and sooner when possible. The team must plan placement, arrange temporary licensed care if an identified bed is unavailable, and communicate daily until placement is secured, then meet at least weekly. Coordinators can seek placement before the first meeting; the team can override local department decisions to secure clinically appropriate care with the fewest necessary restrictions.

State panel reviews children’s placement problems

A new Child and Youth Placement Review Panel operates in the Governor’s Office for Children, chaired by the Senior Advisor for Children and Families. It reviews hospital overstays and unlicensed placement cases involving people under 22, and recommends system improvements. Covered cases include out-of-home placements in hotels, shelters, other unlicensed settings, or office buildings for more than 12 consecutive hours. The panel must meet at least every two months and can consult people who know the child. It must report its analysis to the General Assembly by July 1 each year, beginning July 1, 2027.

State plans more crisis care for children

Beginning January 1, 2027, the Advisory Council must form a subgroup to assess licensed, staffed, and physical placement and treatment beds. It must develop electronic tracking of hospital overstay patients’ locations, stay lengths, and discharge plans, including youth entering or under voluntary placement agreements. It must set standard data measures and name a central data repository. Required measures include age, gender identity, race, ethnicity, home county, payer type, and length of stay. The subgroup must plan and identify resources for statewide mobile response and stabilization services, targeting full implementation by 2030.

Placement searches allow continued hospital stays

Maryland’s Department of Human Services counts as following the hospital placement ban while actively searching for a child’s placement. A child can therefore remain in a hospital unit or emergency department during that search. This rule adds no payment duty for the child or family.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mike Griffith

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Adrienne A. 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

  • Pam Lanman Guzzone

    Democratic • House

  • 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

  • Matthew Morgan

    Republican • House

  • Ashanti Martinez

    Democratic • 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

  • Stephanie Smith

    Democratic • House

  • Ryan Spiegel

    Democratic • House

  • Joshua J. Stonko

    Republican • House

  • Kathy Szeliga

    Republican • House

  • Deni Taveras

    Democratic • House

  • Karen Toles

    Democratic • House

  • Courtney Watson

    Democratic • House

  • Jennifer White Holland

    Democratic • House

  • Sarah Wolek

    Democratic • House

  • Teresa Woorman

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 169 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/10/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 42 • 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 160

    4/28/2026

  2. Returned Passed

    4/11/2026House

  3. Third Reading Passed (42-0)

    4/10/2026Senate

  4. Second Reading Passed

    4/8/2026Senate

  5. Favorable Adopted

    4/8/2026Senate

  6. Favorable Report by Finance

    4/8/2026Senate

  7. Hearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m.

    3/25/2026Senate

  8. Referred Finance

    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 {533426/1 Adopted

    3/20/2026House

  12. Favorable with Amendments Report by Appropriations

    3/20/2026House

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

    2/17/2026House

  14. First Reading Appropriations and Health

    2/13/2026House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    4/28/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/20/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    2/13/2026

    PDF

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