SB 400 Maryland Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Residential Child Care Programs - Transportation Companies - Regulation (Preventing Abduction in Youth Transport Act of 2025)

SB 400 regulates transportation companies that move children to residential child care programs. It prohibits the use of visual impairments (like blindfolds) or physical restraints (such as handcuffs or chains) during transport, except when necessary to address an immediate serious risk of dangerous behavior with no less restrictive alternatives available. The bill also bans pickups between 9 PM and 6 AM. Individuals and the Attorney General may file civil lawsuits against violating companies, seeking injunctive relief or up to $1,000 in statutory damages for first offenses. This applies specifically to transportation companies serving residential child care programs, excluding hospitals, detention facilities, foster homes, and secure facilities.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 20, 2025 Signed May 6, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Third - Residential Child Care Programs - Transportation Companies - Regulation (Preventing Abduction in Youth Transport Act of 2025) Enrolled - Residential Child Care Programs - Transportation Companies - Regulation (Preventing Abduction in Youth Transport Act of 2025) · 1 edit · May 6, 2025
MINOR
The bill was formally enrolled and prepared for the Governor's signature, transitioning from a draft Senate version to an official enrolled bill. The substantive policy content regarding the regulation of youth transportation companies and residential child care programs remains unchanged, with no new restrictions, funding, or definitions added or removed.
Scope change
The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; the text defines the same rules for transporting children to residential care facilities.
TECHNICAL

The document was updated to reflect its official status as an 'Enrolled Bill' ready for the Governor's approval, including standard formatting for the Great Seal presentation and chapter number placeholders.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 24, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2025

How they voted

460
Passed
Total votes 46
Mar 24, 2025
D Democratic33
33 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican13
13 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
19
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Amendments
1
May 6, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 344
executive
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Enrolled
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Introduced
Senate Concurs House Amendments
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Judiciary
lower
Mar 25, 2025
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (137-0-2)
house of delegates
Mar 24, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (46-0)
senate
Mar 15, 2025
Committee
Referred Judiciary
lower
Mar 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Mar 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Mar 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance
upper
Jan 20, 2025
Committee
First Reading Finance
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Dawn Gile
Dawn Gile
DDemocratic
MD
33