Speaker of the House backs bill to end pediatric 'overstay' in unlicensed settings House Bill 1559 would prohibit Maryland’s use of unlicensed settings — hotels, shelters, office buildings — and emergency‑department overstays for pediatric behavioral‑health patients and create a senior adviser, placement review panel, rapid‑response team and advisory council to improve placements and data sharing.

Maryland is taking a bold step to protect its children by banning unlicensed placements for pediatric patients and ensuring their safety in emergency rooms.

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#MD #LegislativeReform #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #ChildWelfare #MarylandChildren

Committee hears bill requiring DJS review when child under 13 causes a death HB776 would require law‑enforcement referrals and a Department of Juvenile Services petition for Child In Need of Assistance (CINA/SINs) when a child under 13 commits an offense resulting in death; family members and Sen. Jill P. Carter urged mandatory interventions and improved victim services.

A powerful new bill aims to ensure justice and support for families after a tragedy involving children under 13, urging mandatory assessments to prevent future heartbreak.

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#MD #CitizenPortal #ChildProtection #PublicSafety #TraumaSupport #MarylandChildren

Subcommittee discusses HB48 to limit automatic denial of reunification after prior involuntary termination of parental rights House Bill 48 would prevent automatic denial of reunification efforts for subsequent children solely because a parent previously lost parental rights involuntarily; DHS expressed support, coalition groups proposed a drafting change to preserve judicial discretion, and the Office of the Public Defender urged removing mandatory waiver language.

House Bill 48 could reshape how courts handle parental rights, giving families a second chance instead of automatic denial based on past terminations.

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#MD #JudicialDiscretion #CitizenPortal #ChildProtection #ParentalRights #MarylandChildren

Governor’s Office for Children defends ENOUGH initiative as DLS urges restraint; grantees deliver public testimony DLS recommended reducing the ENOUGH grant appropriation amid fiscal pressure, but the Governor’s Office for Children said ENOUGH produced measurable local results and should expand; community leaders and grantees gave multiple public testimonies urging continued funding.

The Governor’s Office for Children is fighting to secure funding for its impactful ENOUGH initiative, which has already transformed lives and communities despite calls for budget cuts.

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#MD #CitizenPortal #LocalEducation #PovertyReduction #CommunityPartnerships #MarylandChildren

Maryland forms Collaborative to enhance school-based dental programs for children Maryland establishes a Collaborative to improve children's oral health through school programs.

Maryland is taking a bold step to improve children's oral health by establishing a collaborative focused on enhancing school-based dental programs for underserved communities.

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#MD #HealthAccess #CitizenPortal #MarylandChildren #EducationInitiatives #PreventiveCare

Senator Lam proposes Maryland bill for school dental hygiene services enhancement Senate Bill 988 aims to expand dental hygienist roles in schools and health centers

Senate Bill 988 is set to revolutionize children's dental care in Maryland schools, empowering hygienists to provide vital services where they're needed most.

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#MD #OralHealthServices #AccessToCare #CitizenPortal #MarylandChildren #HealthEquity

Maryland Senate Bill 988 enhances children's access to dental services Legislation seeks to improve dental care access for underserved Maryland children post-pandemic.

Maryland's Senate Bill 988 could revolutionize children's dental care access, targeting disparities in underserved communities and tackling alarming statistics that reveal a public health crisis.

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#MD #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #MarylandChildren #PreventiveCare

Maryland Senate approves Collaborative to Enhance Children's Oral Health in Schools Senate Bill 988 establishes a Maryland Collaborative for children's oral health in schools.

Maryland is taking a bold step to boost children's dental health in schools with Senate Bill 988, aiming to ensure every child has access to vital oral care.

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#MD #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #MarylandChildren #PreventiveCare #EducationAccess

Maryland Senate Bill 988 enhances school dental services through new initiatives Senate Bill 988 supports children's dental health via schools, hygienists, and innovative models.

Maryland's Senate Bill 988 is set to revolutionize children's dental care in schools, tackling inequalities and promising healthier smiles for the future.

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#MD #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #MarylandChildren #DentalCare #EducationAccess

Senate Bill 333 addresses child witness testimony admissibility procedures Senate Bill 333 sets guidelines for admitting child victim statements in court.

Senate Bill 333 is set to revolutionize how child victims are treated in court, prioritizing their emotional well-being while still ensuring justice is served.

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#MD #TraumaInformedJustice #CitizenPortal #MarylandChildren #LegalReform #ChildVictimsRights

Maryland Legislature approves $12.4M budget for Office of the Secretary of State Legislature allocates $12.4 million budget including funds for Governor’s Office for Children

Maryland's House Bill 350 proposes a game-changing $12.4 million budget aimed at enhancing child welfare and critical state services—will it meet the rising demands of our communities?

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#MD #EconomicStability #ChildWelfare #CitizenPortal #BudgetAccountability #MarylandChildren

Maryland Governor's Office reviews budget allocations for key agencies Governor's Office evaluates budget for children, crime prevention, and civil rights

Maryland's House Bill 350 could revolutionize state governance by streamlining operations and enhancing oversight in key areas like crime prevention and cannabis regulation.

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#MD #CitizenPortal #CannabisRegulation #SocialEquity #MarylandChildren #CrimePrevention

Senate Bill 770 outlines new hiring practices for youth-serving organizations Bill mandates employment history review and worker monitoring for hiring applicants.

Maryland's Senate Bill 770 is shaking up hiring practices for those working with children, pushing for stricter background checks and monitoring to enhance safety in schools and youth programs.

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#MD #MarylandChildren #EmploymentRegulations #YouthProtection #ChildSafety

Attorney General empowered to enforce youth transportation regulations under Senate Bill 400 Senate Bill 400 allows Attorney General to pursue actions against youth transport companies.

Maryland's Senate Bill 400 aims to revolutionize youth transportation safety, ensuring children's dignity and protection during transit.

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#MD #MarylandChildren #ChildSafety #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #YouthTransportation

Maryland House Bill 442 allows child statements in abuse cases House Bill 442 permits admission of out-of-court statements from child victims in court

Maryland's House Bill 442 could revolutionize how child victims are heard in court by allowing their out-of-court statements to be admissible as evidence.

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#MD #LegalProtection #MarylandChildren #JusticeReform #ChildVictims #CitizenPortal

Maryland Assembly reviews House Bill 442 on child witness statements Delegates propose changes to admit child statements made to forensic interviewers in court.

Maryland's House Bill 442 could revolutionize how child victims testify in court, potentially increasing conviction rates and enhancing justice for the most vulnerable.

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#MD #JusticeSystem #LegalReform #MarylandChildren #ChildVictims #CitizenPortal

Choptank Community Health endorses Maryland Senate Bill 988 for school dental expansion Senate Bill 988 seeks to enhance dental services for students in Maryland schools.

Maryland's Finance Committee is pushing for vital school-based dental services to combat alarming rates of untreated cavities among students—could this be the breakthrough our kids need?

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#MD #CivicAccountability #HealthServices #EducationAccess #MarylandChildren

Maryland delegates advance House Bill 1105 to enhance child abuse protections in schools House Bill 1105 mandates stricter background checks and oversight for child-serving organizations.

Maryland lawmakers are taking a bold step to protect children by advancing House Bill 1105, which demands tougher background checks and enhanced oversight for anyone working with minors.

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#MD #LegislativeReform #MarylandChildren #CommunitySafety #ChildProtection #CitizenPortal

Disability Rights Maryland proposes ban on mechanical restraint in education settings Leslie Margolis advocates for prohibiting mechanical restraints to protect children in Maryland schools.

Maryland lawmakers are on the brink of a transformative bill that could reshape the treatment of vulnerable youth in residential programs, raising urgent concerns about accountability and the use of tax dollars.

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#MD #LegislativeReform #YouthProtection #MarylandChildren

Maryland bill aims to safeguard children's rights in police custody against deceptive tactics Legislation promotes child protection by preventing police from using deception during interrogations.

Maryland lawmakers are pushing a groundbreaking bill that could transform how children are treated in police custody by banning deceptive interrogation tactics.

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#MD #MarylandChildren #JuvenileJustice #ChildProtection #CitizenPortal #LawEnforcementReform