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Bill > HB980

MD HB980

MD HB980
Family Law and State Government - Child Protection and the Office of the Child Welfare Ombudsman (Kanaiyah's Law)

summary

Introduced
02/06/2026
In Committee
02/06/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Requiring that a juvenile court include in an order granting guardianship of a child to a specific individual a requirement that the individual provide a criminal records history check to a local department of social services regarding an adult who resides in the home of the guardian; establishing procedures for the review of certain guardianships of certain children by the juvenile court under certain circumstances; prohibiting the Social Services Administration from allowing the placement of children in unlicensed settings; etc.

AI Summary

This bill, known as Kanaiyah's Law, makes several changes to child protection laws and establishes a new Office of the Child Welfare Ombudsman. Key provisions include requiring juvenile courts to ensure that any adult residing in the home of a child's guardian undergoes a criminal history records check, and that guardians immediately notify the local department of social services if a new adult moves into the home who has not completed this check. The bill also prohibits the Social Services Administration from placing children in unlicensed settings, which are defined to include places like hotels, motels, short-term rentals, and non-residential environments, but not kinship care or foster homes. Furthermore, it establishes the Office of the Child Welfare Ombudsman within the Attorney General's office, tasked with investigating and ensuring that the needs and rights of children and families under the jurisdiction of the Department of Human Services or local departments are met, and that children are not abused or neglected. This Ombudsman will have the power to investigate complaints, review agency operations, and make recommendations to improve child welfare services.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (54)

Mike Griffith (R)*,  Gabriel Acevero (D),  Chris Adams (R),  Jackie Addison (D),  Kevin Anderson (R),  Steve Arentz (R),  Lauren Arikan (R),  Terry Baker (R),  Barry Beauchamp (R),  Regina Boyce (D),  Jason Buckel (R),  Brian Chisholm (R),  Barrie Ciliberti (R),  Derrick Coley (D),  Eric Ebersole (D),  Mark Edelson (D),  Elizabeth Embry (D),  Kris Fair (D),  Jessica Feldmark (D),  April Fleming Miller (R),  Jeff Ghrist (R),  Wayne Hartman (R),  Jim Hinebaugh (R),  Kevin Hornberger (R),  Tom Hutchinson (R),  Julian Ivey (D),  Jay Jacobs (R),  Nic Kipke (R),  Bob Long (R),  Nino Mangione (R),  Susan McComas (R),  Ric Metzgar (R),  Bernice Mireku-North (D),  Todd Morgan (R),  LaToya Nkongolo (R),  Julie Palakovich Carr (D),  Cheryl Pasteur (D),  Edith Patterson (D),  Jesse Pippy (R),  Teresa Reilly (R),  Kent Roberson (D),  Mike Rogers (D),  April Rose (R),  Malcolm Ruff (D),  Stuart Schmidt (R),  Sean Stinnett (D),  Josh Stonko (R),  Chris Tomlinson (R),  William Valentine (R),  Joe Vogel (D),  Jennifer White Holland (D),  Jheanelle Wilkins (D),  C.T. Wilson (D),  William Wivell (R), 

Last Action

House Judiciary Hearing (13:00:00 2/26/2026 ) (on 02/26/2026)

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