Family Law - Children in Need of Assistance - Unlicensed Settings

SB 191 prohibits placing children in need of assistance (CINA) in unlicensed settings - such as hotels, shelters for runaway/homeless youth, or office stays - except under strict exceptions. It requires child welfare agencies to document clear evidence that all reasonable efforts were made to find licensed alternatives, including kinship care, family-based placements, or licensed facilities, before using an unlicensed setting. The bill allows up to 10 days in an unlicensed setting without special approval, with extensions requiring authorization from the Secretary of Human Services. This directly affects child welfare agencies, foster care placements, and children under Maryland’s CINA system, ensuring state funds are not used for unlicensed placements without documented justification. (Based on Md. Code, Family Law §§ 5-501(m), 5-506.1)