Maryland House Passes “Kanaiyah’s Law” to Strengthen Child Protection Service in State Foster System
The Maryland House of Delegates has passed Kanaiyah’s Law, a measure aimed at improving safety for children in the state foster care system. House Bill 980 was sponspored by Delegate Mike Griffith , following the death of 16-year-old Kanaiyah London Ward, of Prince George County, who was in the custody of the Department of Human Services. On September 22, 2025, she was found unresponsive in a Baltimore hotel where she had been temporarily placed. A celebration of life honoring Kanaiyah was subsequently held in Clinton Maryland. Related: HB980: Family Law and Human Services - Guardianship Assistance Program and State Foster Youth Ombudsman - Establishment (Kanaiyah's Law) Authorities later determined her death was caused by diphenhydramine intoxication, with the circumstances raising concerns that the incident may have been self-inflicted. Her death highlighted serious issues with supervision and the placement of foster youth in unlicensed settings such as h...
