MD HB923

Equity courts must apply identical standards, procedures, evidentiary requirements, and documentation for custody or guardianship proceedings involving immigrant children as those used for U.S. citizen children

Courts are directed to protect against discriminatory practices, implicit bias, and procedural disparities that could harm a child's stability or long-term welfare

Immigrant children's ability to seek Special Immigrant Juvenile Status must be preserved, which requires court findings that the child was abused, neglected, or abandoned before age 18

Adds new Section 1-201.1 to the Maryland Family Law Article codifying these nondiscrimination requirements

Effective date: October 1, 2026