MarylandMaryland lets more groups caring for children receive abuse records
Maryland’s Department of Human Services can share abuse or neglect records with more organizations screening workers around children, only after a finalized finding classified as “indicated.”
What it does
After a finalized “indicated” abuse or neglect finding, Maryland can share records with certain child care centers, youth sports leaders, and other organizations supervising children to screen workers.
Argument forAccess to records after finalized findings could help organizations identify unsuitable employees or volunteers before giving them responsibility for children.
Argument againstSharing sensitive abuse records with more organizations could expose personal information about children and families during employee or volunteer screening.
More detail
Maryland’s Department of Human Services can share child abuse or neglect reports and records with additional people who screen workers around children. Recipients include administrators of child care centers run by or for state or local government or in state-occupied buildings, youth sports leaders, and appropriate staff of organizations with temporary care, custody, or supervision of children. Sharing is allowed only after a finalized child abuse or neglect finding classified as “indicated.” Child care administrators can screen employees. Youth sports leaders and other covered organizations can screen employees and volunteers. The expanded permission to share records took effect October 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Approved by the Governor Wes Moore - Chapter 790Became Law
- Apr 11Passed EnrolledTo Governor
- Apr 11Third Reading PassedMajor
- Apr 11House Concurs Senate Amendments
- Apr 10Third Reading PassedPassed Senate
- Apr 10Motion Rules Suspend Two Readings Same Day Const/Rule 24 (Senator Hershey) Adopted
- Apr 10Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- Apr 10Floor Amendment {
- Apr 10Favorable AdoptedMinor
- Apr 10Motion Special Order until Next Session (Senator James) Adopted
- Apr 10FavorableMinor
- Apr 8Motion Special Order until 4/10 (Senator Hayes) Adopted
- Apr 8FavorableMinor
- Apr 8Motion Special Order until Next Session (Senator Hayes) Adopted
- Apr 8FavorableMinor
- Apr 7Motion Special Order until 4/8 (Senator Hayes) Adopted
- Apr 7FavorableMinor
- Apr 6Favorable Report by Judicial ProceedingsMinor
- Mar 28
- Vote recorded On Third Reading and Final Passage (Hse concurred). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 24
- Vote recorded Bill is on Third Reading for Final Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 23Referred Judicial ProceedingsMinor
- Mar 20Third Reading PassedPassed House
- Mar 19Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- Mar 19Favorable with Amendments {Minor
- Mar 19Favorable with Amendments Report by JudiciaryMinor
- Mar 8
- Vote recorded On Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 13Hearing 2/26 at 1:00 p.m.
- Feb 12First Reading JudiciaryIntroduced
Public Safety