WORKGROUP ON CHILDREN IN UNLICENSED SETTINGS & PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OVERSTAYS

Appointed by Governor: not yet appointed

Ex officio: Meena Seshamani, M.D., Ph.D., Secretary of Health; Rafael J. Lopez, Secretary of Human Services; Betsy Fox Tolentino, Esq., Acting Secretary of Juvenile Services; Natasha M. Dartigue, Public Defender.

Staff: Edward C. Gallo

c/o State Council on Child Abuse & Neglect
Department of Human Services
25 South Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 767-7868, (410) 336-3820
e-mail: edward.gallo@maryland.gov

In June 2025, the Workgroup on Children in Unlicensed Settings and Pediatric Hospital Overstays was authorized by the General Assembly (Chapters 479 & 480, Acts of 2025).

"Children in unlicensed settings” refers to individuals, under the age of 21 years, in an out–of–home placement who reside in a hotel, an office building, a shelter, or any other unlicensed setting. It does not include minors who receive a self–independent living stipend, those living with kin awaiting approval for a placement, or in aftercare with a parent. “Pediatric hospital overstays” means patients, under the age of 22 years, who remain in an inpatient unit or emergency department of a hospital for more than 48 hours after being medically cleared for discharge or transfer.

The Workgroup is to assess the number, type, and cost of the additional beds and supportive services needed to place all children in pediatric overstays and other unlicensed settings in the least restrictive settings. It will develop a resource development plan designed to increase the number of licensed settings, and end the use of pediatric overstays and unlicensed settings. Further, the Workgroup will devise an implementation plan with comprehensive data to inform the plan; and a timeline for when the practice of placing children in unlicensed settings will cease.

Fifteen members constitute the Workgroup. Of these, eleven are appointed by the Governor, and four serve ex officio.

Maryland Constitutional Offices & Agencies
Maryland Departments
Maryland Independent Agencies
Maryland Executive Commissions, Committees, Task Forces, & Advisory Boards
Maryland Universities & Colleges
Maryland Counties
Maryland Municipalities
Maryland at a Glance

Maryland Manual On-Line

Search the Manual
e-mail: mdmanual@maryland.gov

This web site is presented for reference purposes under the doctrine of fair use. When this material is used, in whole or in part, proper citation and credit must be attributed to the Maryland State Archives. PLEASE NOTE: The site may contain material from other sources which may be under copyright. Rights assessment, and full originating source citation, is the responsibility of the user. Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website! [ Archives' Home Page  ||  Maryland Manual On-Line  ||  Reference & Research ||  Search the Archives   ||  Education & Outreach  ||  Archives of Maryland Online ] Governor     General Assembly    Judiciary     Maryland.Gov

© Copyright July 17, 2025 Maryland State Archives