Bill > HB944

This bill eliminates a provision in Maryland law that previously allowed local social services departments to request that a juvenile court find "reasonable efforts" to reunify a child with their parent are not required if the parent has involuntarily lost parental rights to another child (a sibling). The bill modifies two sections of Maryland law related to children in need of assistance and termination of parental rights, specifically removing language about involuntary loss of parental rights for a sibling as a standalone grounds for discontinuing reunification efforts. The bill maintains other critical criteria for determining whether to terminate parental rights, such as instances of chronic abuse, sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, neglect, torture, or violent criminal convictions against children or other parents. By removing the sibling rights loss provision, the bill appears to ensure that each case is evaluated more comprehensively on its specific circumstances, rather than automatically presuming a parent unfit based solely on previous loss of rights to another child. The changes will take effect on October 1, 2025, giving state agencies and courts time to prepare for the updated legal standard.

Justice

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0944?ys=2025RS