Bill > SB658

This bill alters how the Department of Human Services (DHS) manages benefits for children in its custody, specifically when DHS acts as a representative payee or fiduciary for these children. A representative payee is someone appointed to receive benefits on behalf of another person who cannot manage their own finances. A fiduciary is someone entrusted with managing another person's assets. The bill clarifies that DHS must use these benefits, such as U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Social Security benefits, for the child's current unmet needs, which are defined as costs not covered by DHS or the child's health insurance, and can include things like disability-related services, housing assistance for transitioning out of care, hobby-related items, transportation, or educational expenses. The bill also emphasizes that DHS must attempt to find a suitable representative payee other than itself, consult with the child and their attorney or guardian ad litem when making decisions about benefit use, and provide annual accountings of how the benefits were used or conserved. Additionally, DHS is required to assess a child's eligibility for these benefits upon entering care and annually thereafter, and to provide financial literacy training and information about post-care benefits to older youth. The bill also mandates that DHS appeal benefit denials if it's in the child's best interest and requires notification to the child's attorney about benefit applications, decisions, and appeals.

Justice

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0658?ys=2026RS