Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB1290: Child in Need of Assistance - Proceedings - Child's Right to be Present
Status: In committee, March 24, 2026
Authorizing a child who is the subject of a child in need of assistance proceeding to be present at the proceeding; and authorizing the court to exclude the child from a proceeding if the child's attorney requests to waive the child's presence at the proceeding.
What the bill says
A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Child in Need of Assistance - Proceedings - Child's Right to be Present FOR the purpose of authorizing a child who is the subject of a child in need of assistance proceeding to be present at the proceeding; authorizing the court to exclude the child from a proceeding under certain circumstances and after considering certain alternatives; and generally relating to children in need of assistance…
From the introduced text, February 12, 2026:
A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Child in Need of Assistance - Proceedings - Child's Right to be Present FOR the purpose of authorizing a child who is the subject of a child in need of assistance proceeding to be present at the proceeding; authorizing the court to exclude the child from a proceeding under certain circumstances and after considering certain alternatives; and generally relating to children in need of assistance. BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings Section 3-801(a), (e), (f), (g), and (i) Annotated Code of Maryland (2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY adding to Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings Section 3-831 Annotated Code of Maryland (2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings 3-801. (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (e) "Child" means an individual under the age of 18 years. EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from exist in g l aw . *hb1290* HOUSE BILL 1290 (f) "Child in need of assistance" means a child who requires court intervention because: (1) The child has been abused, has been neglected, has a developmental disability, or …
Sponsors
- Jamila Woods (D, HD-026) · primary sponsor
- Tiffany Alston (D, HD-024)
- Charlotte Crutchfield (D, 19)
- Andrea Harrison (D, HD-024)
- Julian Ivey (D, 47A)
- Jeffrie Long (D, HD-027)
- Susan McComas (R, HD-034B)
- Edith Patterson (D, HD-028)
- Kent Roberson (D, 25)
- Denise Roberts (D, 25)
- Sheila Ruth (D, 44B)
- Gary Simmons (D, 12B)
Latest actions
- : Hearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m.
- : Referred Judicial Proceedings
- : Third Reading Passed (133-0)
- : Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- : Favorable with Amendments {763022/1 Adopted
- : Favorable with Amendments Report by Judiciary
- : Hearing 2/26 at 1:00 p.m.
- : First Reading Judiciary
Votes
- Third Reading Passed (133-0) (March 18, 2026): 133 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB1290?
- HB1290 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Child in Need of Assistance - Proceedings - Child's Right to be Present.
- What does HB1290 do?
- In its own words: A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Child in Need of Assistance - Proceedings - Child's Right to be Present FOR the purpose of authorizing a child who is the subject of a child in need of assistance proceeding to be present at the proceeding; authorizing the court to exclude the child from a proceeding under certain circumstances and after considering certain alternatives; and generally relating to children in need of assistance…
- What is the status of HB1290?
- In committee as of March 24, 2026. Latest action: Hearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m. (March 24, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1290?
- Jamila Woods (D, HD-026), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1290?
- On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb1290?ys=2026RS
Source: official Maryland record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.