Bill > HB923

This bill, known as the Uniform Nondiscrimination in Treatment and Evidence (UNITE) Act, aims to ensure that immigrant children are treated equally to U.S. citizen children in Maryland's equity courts when matters of child custody or guardianship are being decided. It clarifies the intent of the General Assembly to protect all children from discriminatory practices, implicit biases, and procedural differences that could negatively impact their stability and well-being, specifically mentioning the ability of immigrant children to seek Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, which is a federal immigration status for children who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned. Essentially, the bill mandates that equity courts must use the same legal standards, including how evidence is presented and considered, and the same procedures for immigrant children as they do for U.S. citizen children in custody and guardianship cases.

Justice

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0923?ys=2026RS