MD HB48

Removes the involuntary loss of parental rights to a sibling as a standalone basis for local social services departments to request that courts waive reasonable reunification efforts with a child's parent or guardian

Eliminates the court's authority to waive a local department's obligation to provide reunification services solely because a parent previously lost parental rights to another child involuntarily

Maintains all other existing grounds for waiving reunification efforts, including aggravated circumstances such as chronic abuse, sexual abuse, torture, abandonment, and criminal convictions for violent crimes against children

Amends Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article Section 3-812(b) and Family Law Article Section 5-323(e)

Takes effect October 1, 2026