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HB 1383

Children in Need of Assistance - Permanency Plan Requirements

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Michele Guyton

Maryland bill strengthens permanency planning requirements for children in state care to accelerate stable family placements and improve long-term outcomes.

Hearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 1383

Legislative bill overview

HB 1383 modifies Maryland's child welfare requirements by establishing new or enhanced permanency planning standards for children in the state's care system. The bill specifies what must be included in permanency plans and likely strengthens timelines or procedures for achieving permanent placements (adoption, guardianship, or reunification).

Why is this important

Children in foster care face prolonged uncertainty without clear permanency goals, which research shows negatively impacts their developmental outcomes, educational achievement, and long-term stability. Strengthening permanency plan requirements ensures caseworkers create concrete pathways out of temporary care, reducing the likelihood children age out of the system without family connections or support structures.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Requiring more detailed permanency plans may necessitate additional caseworker training, oversight, and administrative resources that counties must fund
  • Caseworker burden vs. quality: Stricter requirements could increase paperwork without improving outcomes if staffing levels don't increase proportionally
  • Balance between reunification and alternatives: The bill's specific permanency priorities (reunification vs. adoption vs. guardianship) may reflect different values about family preservation versus child safety

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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