Family Law - Children in Foster Care - Background Information

HB 649 requires Maryland child placement agencies to provide foster parents with a detailed background report before a foster parent can consent to placing a child with them. The report must disclose if the child has had law enforcement interactions (including arrests), been charged with or convicted of a crime, associated with a criminal gang, or faced school suspension/expulsion. This law directly affects foster parents making placement decisions and child placement agencies responsible for providing the information. The policy change takes effect on October 1, 2025, aiming to ensure foster parents have key information about a child's history prior to consent.