Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB921: Juvenile Law - Confinement and Restrictive Housing - Limitations
Status: In committee, March 25, 2026
Altering certain requirements for regulations adopted by the Department of Juvenile Services relating to the placement of a minor in restrictive housing and confinement; requiring that locked door seclusion and restraints be used only when all less restrictive measures have been exhausted; limiting the use of locked door seclusion and restraints to those times where there is an immediate and substantial risk of physical harm to the child or others, or imminent risk of escape; etc.
What the bill says
An act concerning Juvenile Law - Confinement and Restrictive Housing - Limitations FOR the purpose of limiting the circumstances under which an incarcerated minor may be involuntarily placed in restrictive housing; authorizing the Department of Juvenile Services to place a minor in restrictive housing at the minor's request; specifying certain protocols for minors placed in restrictive housing; altering certain requirements for regulations adopted by the Department of Juvenile Services relating to the placement of a minor in restrictive housing and confinement…
From the engrossed text, March 22, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Juvenile Law - Confinement and Restrictive Housing - Limitations FOR the purpose of limiting the circumstances under which an incarcerated minor may be involuntarily placed in restrictive housing; authorizing the Department of Juvenile Services to place a minor in restrictive housing at the minor's request; specifying certain protocols for minors placed in restrictive housing; altering certain requirements for regulations adopted by the Department of Juvenile Services relating to the placement of a minor in restrictive housing and confinement; and generally relating to the placement of minors in restrictive housing and the confinement of juveniles. BY adding to Article - Correctional Services Section 9-614.3 Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume) BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Human Services Section 9-227(b)(2) Annotated Code of Maryland (2019 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law. Underlining indicates amendments to bill. Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by amendment. *hb0921* HOUSE BILL SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Correctional Services 9-614.3. (A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS INDICATED. (2) "DEPARTMENT" MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES. (3) …