MD HB1181

Local departments must schedule assessment meetings within 5 business days of receiving voluntary placement agreement requests for children with developmental disabilities or mental illnesses, and issue written eligibility determinations within 5 business days after the meeting

Parents retain all legal and educational decision-making rights under voluntary placement agreements, and local departments cannot require custody relinquishment to access services

The Administration may not refer voluntary placement agreement cases to Child Support Enforcement, and existing child support orders under such agreements must be modified by October 1, 2026

Local departments must report annually to the Department by July 1 on voluntary placement agreement requests, processing times, denial reasons, and average hospital stay lengths for children awaiting placement

The Department of Human Services and Maryland Department of Health must submit a joint report by October 1, 2029 on hospital discharge delays, family reunification rates, and implementation status of voluntary placement agreement reforms