HB 768

Department of Human Services - Benefits for Children in Custody - Alterations

Sponsor: Karen Simpson (District 3)Committee: AppropriationsSubject: Family LawStatus: Second Reading Passed (as of Sep 4, 2026)

What this bill does

Official synopsis

Altering certain provisions relating to the responsibilities of the Department of Human Services as representative payee and fiduciary for certain children committed to the custody of the Department; requiring the Department to use certain benefits in a manner that is in the best interest of the child including using the benefits for services for certain special needs; and requiring The Secretary to establish and maintain a foster youth savings program to conserve additional resources to assist youth in transitioning to independence.

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Analysis reads the bill text, the fiscal note, and the witness list. It is generated by Claude and reviewed by nobody, so check the source documents before you rely on it.

Testimony (32)

MGA witness list

FAV 25FavorableFWA 5Favorable with amendmentsINFO 2Information only

Position	Witness	Organization	Testimony
FAV	DeMinco, Lynne	BCRW	Position only
FAV	Harfeld, Amy	Children's Advocacy Institute	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Weichel, Elisa	Children's Advocacy Institute	Written (PDF)
FAV	Weichel, Elisa	Children's Advocacy Institute	Written (PDF)
FAV	Philip, Diana	Coalition to Protect Maryland's Children	Written (PDF)
FAV	Margolis, Leslielobbyist	Disability Rights Maryland	Written (PDF)
FAV	Margolis, Leslielobbyist	Disability Rights Maryland	Written (PDF)
FAV	Harris, Mrs	District 25 Constituent	Position only
FAV	Arneson, Emilylobbyist	Kennedy Krieger Institute	Written (PDF)
FAV	London, Rachel	Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council	Written (PDF)
FAV	LeMon, Erica	Maryland Legal Aid	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Lichterman, Hayley	Maryland Office of the Public Defender	Written (PDF)
FAV	Lichterman, Hayley	Maryland Office of the Public Defender	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Proctor, Karessa	NASW Maryland	Written (PDF)
FAV	Proctor, Karessa	NASW Maryland	Written (PDF)
FAV	Ciekot, Annlobbyist	Public Policy Partners	Oral
FAV	Pollack, Zara	SWASC	Oral
FAV	SWASC, UM	Social Work Advocates for Social Change	Written (PDF)
FAV	SWASC, UM	Social Work Advocates for Social Change	Written (PDF)
FAV	Woods, Chip	St.Peter's Adult Learning Center	Oral
FAV	Delegate Simpson, Delegate Simpsonlegislator	Individual	Oral
FAV	Delegate Simpson, Delegate Simpsonlegislator	Individual	Oral
FAV	Hatcher, Daniel	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	Hatcher, Daniel	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	Simpson, Karen	Individual	Written (PDF)
FWA	Philip, Diana	Coalition to Protect Maryland's Children	Written (PDF)
FWA	LeMon, Erica	Maryland Legal Aid	Written (PDF)
FWA	Mirviss, Mitchell	Venable LLP	Oral + Written (PDF)
FWA	Perry, Richard	Individual	Position only
FWA	Simpson, Karen	Individual	Oral + Written (PDF)
INFO	Brown-Burnett, Gloria	Department of Human Services	Written (PDF)
INFO	Brown-Burnett, Gloria	Department of Human Services	Written (PDF)

Organizations on record

BCRWFAV 1

Children's Advocacy InstituteFAV 3

Coalition to Protect Maryland's ChildrenFAV 1FWA 1

Department of Human ServicesINFO 2

Disability Rights MarylandFAV 2

District 25 ConstituentFAV 1

Kennedy Krieger InstituteFAV 1

Maryland Developmental Disabilities CouncilFAV 1

Maryland Legal AidFAV 1FWA 1

Maryland Office of the Public DefenderFAV 2

NASW MarylandFAV 2

Public Policy PartnersFAV 1

Social Work Advocates for Social ChangeFAV 2

St.Peter's Adult Learning CenterFAV 1

SWASCFAV 1

Venable LLPFWA 1

Registered lobbyists who testified

FAVMargolis, LeslieDisability Rights MarylandRegistered for: Disability Rights Maryland

FAVArneson, EmilyKennedy Krieger InstituteRegistered for: Kennedy Krieger Institute

FAVCiekot, AnnPublic Policy PartnersRegistered for: American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; B'More Clubhouse; Baltimore City Substance Abuse Directorate; Bard College; CareForth; Children's Advocacy Institute…