Maryland General Assembly · HB0980 · Approved by the Governor - Chapter 158 (Chapter 158)

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

Introduced

Moved

Reached a final decision

Became law

Derived from the official record below.

Officially: “Family Law and Human Services - Guardianship Assistance Program and State Foster Youth Ombudsman - Establishment (Kanaiyah's Law)” Read the full text

2026 session

What it does

Requiring the Secretary of Human Services to establish and maintain a Guardianship Assistance Program to promote the placement and maintenance of children in permanent guardianship homes by providing guardianship assistance to guardians of minor children; establishing the State Foster Youth Ombudsman in the Department of Human Services; requiring the Ombudsman to provide legal expertise in child welfare, custody and guardianship matters, and appeal and due process; etc.

From the official legislative record, shown verbatim. Not legal advice.

Where it is

First reading, house of origin · Feb 5, 2026

Hearing · Feb 26, 2026

Committee report, house of origin: Favorable with Amendments · Mar 19, 2026

Second reading, house of origin: Passed with Amendments · Mar 6, 2026

Third reading, house of origin: Passed · Mar 8, 2026

First reading, opposite house · Mar 6, 2026

Committee report, opposite house: Favorable · Apr 8, 2026

Second reading, opposite house: Passed · Mar 20, 2026

Third reading, opposite house: Passed · Mar 24, 2026

The numbers

sponsors on the bill

Sponsors

Delegate Griffith Delegate Acevero Delegate Adams Delegate Addison Delegate Anderson Delegate Arentz Delegate Arikan Delegate Baker Delegate Beauchamp Delegate Boyce Delegate Buckel Delegate Chisholm Delegate Ciliberti Delegate Coley Delegate Ebersole Delegate Edelson Delegate Embry Delegate Fair Delegate Feldmark Delegate Ghrist Delegate Hartman Delegate Hinebaugh Delegate Hornberger Delegate Hutchinson Delegate Ivey Delegate Jacobs Delegate KipkeDelegate Long, R.Delegate MangioneDelegate McComas Delegate Metzgar Delegate Miller Delegate Mireku-North Delegate Morgan, T.Delegate Nkongolo Delegate Palakovich Carr Delegate Pasteur Delegate Patterson Delegate Pippy Delegate Reilly

Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record. Last action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 158 (as of Aug 30, 2026).