The Order Nobody Signs For: How Protective-Order Extensions Can Outrun Service
Temporary protective orders serve as a critical bridge between emergency situations and formal hearings, relying heavily on the effective service of process. When service fails, respondents may be unable to contest orders, leading to potential injustice.…
A Voice That Isn’t Theirs: How the Child’s Voice Project Gets It Wrong for the Parents Who Need Help Most
The Child's Voice Project (CVP) aims to provide representation for children in custody cases but may inadvertently empower biased narratives, particularly in situations involving parental alienation. The model’s lack of transparency, training protocols,…
The System’s Two Speeds: Maryland Moves Fast to Take Custody, Slow to Answer for It
Four Maryland cases reveal a troubling pattern: the state moves quickly to remove children from parents but far more slowly when government agencies or courts are held accountable.
When Protective Orders Fail, Children Pay the Price
A protective order was in place. Police had responded just one day earlier. And yet a mother is dead and children are left with irreversible trauma. The Howard County killing forces an uncomfortable question: when warning signs are documented and kids…
Maryland’s Missing Foster Children: What the Numbers Reveal
The Maryland Department of Human Services has revealed that 990 children in foster care have been missing since 2020, following an MPIA request by advocates. Policy changes obscured the distinction between runaways and missing children, raising concerns…
Md. ID law is a good step (Published in The Washington Post, Oct. 15, 2025)
Maryland's "Eric's Law," allowing non-apparent disabilities to be marked on driver's licenses, is a positive step for disability rights, promoting understanding in law enforcement. However, deeper reforms in the court system are required, including…
Maryland Family Courts vs. Invisible Disabilities: Rights Denied, Families Punished
In Maryland, family courts often fail to protect children and parental rights, treating invisible disabilities as reasons to deny custody. Judges and opposing parties exploit these disabilities, leading to severe consequences for affected parents. The…
Maryland’s ADA Mirage: Rhetoric, Red Tape, and the Quiet Punishment of Invisible Disabilities
Maryland's political rhetoric emphasizes equity and inclusion, but parents and students facing disabilities experience skepticism and delayed support. Federal deficiencies in education and court systems exacerbate challenges. Excessive documentation,…
Eric’s ID Law: Maryland’s New Driver’s License Option for Nonapparent Disabilities Marks a Major Step Toward Safety and Inclusion
Maryland's HB0707, known as Eric’s ID Law, allows individuals to optionally designate a "nonapparent disability" on their driver's licenses and IDs starting October 1, 2025. Inspired by Eric Carpenter-Grantham, this law promotes understanding and…