Bill > HB1272

This bill requires local departments, when placing a child out-of-home, to consider the child's feelings and views about a potential kinship caregiver, meaning an individual with whom a child in the care of a local department can be placed for temporary or long-term care other than adoption, and who is approved by the local department. This definition now explicitly includes an unrelated individual identified by the child or the child's parent as a potential kinship caregiver. Furthermore, the bill mandates that local departments consider specific factors when deciding whether to approve someone as a kinship caregiver, such as their understanding of the reasons for the child's placement, their past involvement in protecting the child, their current ability to protect the child, and their willingness to cooperate with the local department.

Justice

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB1272?ys=2026RS