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 hotels.

In response, the bill bans placing children in unlicensed homes or temporary settings. It also strengthens guardianship rules by requiring background checks for adults living in homes where children are placed, with court review required if concerns arise.

The law creates a Child Welfare Ombudsman to investigate complaints and ensure children’s rights are protected. Lawmakers say the measure is a critical step toward accountability and preventing similar tragedies.

Kanaiyah is one of hundreds of kids in the state's foster care system to be placed in hotels in recent years. She was expected to have one-on-one care by one of the state's vendors," Dayvon Wood, Foster Care System Reform Advocate said in a social media post. 

Delegate Griffith released the following statement:

"After years of work and tragedy I am deeply honored, with the support of so many, to be able to have passed Kanaiyah’s law (named after the 16 year-old girl who is in the state foster care system that took her own life last September) out of the house of delegates where it is certain to sail through the Senate and be signed by the governor.  

After this heartbreaking and avoidable tragedy, it has been encouraging see so many people from across the political spectrum rally together to take unprecedented steps to make sure our foster children are no longer second class citizens in the State of Maryland. These issues have persisted since I was in foster care and it’s humbling to have an opportunity to help make these reforms that have haunted so many for so long. This is emotional and deeply personal for me and I am so thankful to be able to help make meaningful change."