April 25, 2024
Media Contact: Brian Schleter, Acting Director
brian.schleter@maryland.gov
Maryland Department of Human Services Celebrates the Signing of New Law Guaranteeing The Dignity of Children and Youth in Foster Care
Youth will receive new luggage to transport personal belongings when entering care or moving locations
BALTIMORE, MD — The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) joined with Gov. Wes Moore and Maryland General Assembly leaders for the signing into law of HB542/SB668, which affirms the department’s commitment to provide children and youth with new luggage to transport personal belongings when entering foster care or moving to a new location.
“Every child in Maryland deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Making sure every child experiencing kinship or foster care receives new luggage is a necessary practice in supporting children during a major, and oftentimes emotional, transition in their lives,” said DHS Secretary Rafael López. “We are grateful to Gov. Wes Moore for signing this legislation and to those in the General Assembly who partnered with us to further modernize long-standing practices that uplift children.”
The passage of this law solidifies existing DHS policy and practices that aim to reduce trauma experienced by youth transitioning to/from foster care. These practices include maintaining a decentralized supply of new luggage to be used to transport the personal belongings of a child in foster care; providing new luggage to a child who is being removed from a household under certain circumstances; and diligently keeping records regarding luggage and children in foster care.
With the signing of this law, all 24 departments of social services in Maryland are proud to reaffirm their existing resources and commend their local partnerships with charitable groups and community organizations, all of whom help to maintain an appropriate supply of luggage and comfort kits for the children and youth in their care and custody. The DHS Trauma Responsive and Appropriate Transport of Children’s Belongings Policy can be found on our website:
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