Overview
- House Republicans, led by Minority Leader Jason Buckel, urged Gov. Wes Moore to fire Human Services Secretary Rafael López, while Moore said he remains confident in López’s leadership.
- Testifying before lawmakers, López called the audit findings unacceptable and said five children still in hotels will be placed in appropriate settings by the end of November under his Oct. 22 ban on unlicensed stays.
- The Baltimore Banner reported a breach of the new directive when a child spent the night in the Baltimore City social services office as staff sought a placement.
- Auditors reported 280 children housed in hotels for periods up to two years, seven registered sex offenders living in approved homes, and widespread lapses in required medical and dental exams.
- Legislative Auditor Brian Tanen urged immediate corrective action, and committee leaders said they will revisit the findings during the upcoming session and budget process to hold DHS accountable.