SB 658

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

Sponsor: Chris West (District 42)Committee: Judicial ProceedingsSubject: Family LawStatus: Hearing 2/26 at 1:00 p.m. (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; and requiring the Department to use the benefits in a manner that is in the best interests of the child for the child's current unmet needs for costs not paid by the Department as part of the child's care or by the child's health insurance.

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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 (17)

MGA witness list

FAV 16FavorableFWA 1Favorable with amendments

Position	Witness	Organization	Testimony
FAV	DeMinco, Lynne	BCRW	Position only
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	Arneson, Emilylobbyist	Kennedy Krieger Institute	Written (PDF)
FAV	Olsen, Yngvild	MD Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence	Oral + 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	Villamar, Maria Nenutzka	Office of the Public Defender	Oral
FAV	Ciekot, Annlobbyist	Public Policy Partners	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	West, Christopher	Senator Chris West	Written (PDF)
FAV	SWASC, UM	Social Work Advocates for Social Change	Written (PDF)
FAV	Hatcher, Daniel	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	Kastner, Chloe	Individual	Oral
FAV	Senator West, Senator Westlegislator	Individual	Oral
FWA	Mirviss, Mitchell	Venable LLP	Oral + Written (PDF)

Organizations on record

BCRWFAV 1

Children's Advocacy InstituteFAV 1

Coalition to Protect Maryland's ChildrenFAV 1

Disability Rights MarylandFAV 1

Kennedy Krieger InstituteFAV 1

Maryland Developmental Disabilities CouncilFAV 1

Maryland Legal AidFAV 1

Maryland Office of the Public DefenderFAV 1

MD Association for the Treatment of Opioid DependenceFAV 1

Office of the Public DefenderFAV 1

Public Policy PartnersFAV 1

Senator Chris WestFAV 1

Social Work Advocates for Social ChangeFAV 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…