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SB 996·MD·senate

Family Law and Human Services - Guardianship Assistance Program and State Foster Youth Ombudsman - Establishment (Kanaiyah's Law)

Passed One ChamberFiled Mar 5, 2026
Sponsor: Zucker
Latest Action

In the House - First Reading House Rules and Executive Nominations

Apr 9, 2026

Summary

The bill requires the Secretary of Human Services to create a Guardianship Assistance Program that supports families who assume permanent guardianship of children, and it creates a State Foster Youth Ombudsman within the Department of Human Services to handle complaints about the child‑welfare system. It also adds new court requirements for guardianship orders, such as terminating the child’s case, notifying the department of new adults in the home, and scheduling a review hearing within 180 days. The changes are intended to increase safety, accountability, and support for children and their guardians.

AI-generated summary — may be incomplete or inaccurate. Verify against the official bill text.

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