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Bill

HB 396

Residential Child Care Programs - Education of Children and Training of Child and Youth Care Practitioners

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Gabriel Acevero and 31 co-sponsors

Maryland bill establishes mandatory education and training standards for residential child care practitioners, affecting facility staffing requirements and youth care quality outcomes.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 640
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Bill Summary · HB 396

Legislative bill overview

HB 396 establishes new education and training requirements for child and youth care practitioners working in Maryland's residential child care programs. The bill creates standards for both the educational credentials of staff and ongoing professional development in these facilities that serve vulnerable youth in out-of-home placements.

Why is this important

Residential child care facilities provide critical services for children in foster care, youth aging out of the system, and those with significant behavioral or emotional needs. Establishing practitioner training and education standards directly affects the quality of care, safety, and developmental outcomes for some of Maryland's most vulnerable children, while also potentially impacting workforce recruitment and facility operational costs.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Facilities may face increased expenses to hire credentialed staff or provide required training, potentially reducing service capacity or raising fees
  • Workforce recruitment challenges: Stricter education/training requirements could tighten an already-strained child welfare workforce, particularly in rural areas or underserved regions
  • Retroactive compliance: Unclear whether existing staff must meet new standards immediately, which could force facilities to choose between replacing experienced practitioners or facing non-compliance

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

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