Committee hears bill requiring DJS review when child under 13 causes a death

Annapolis — The House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 19 heard HB776, the Nikayla Estrada Memorial Act, which would require law‑enforcement officers who make complaints alleging a child younger than 13 caused a death to refer the case to the Department of Juvenile Services and prompt a CINA (child in need of assistance) petition. Sponsor Delegate Malcolm Ruff framed the bill as a remedial measure to ensure mandatory assessment and wraparound services rather than leave outcomes to officer discretion.

Family members of Nikayla Estrada described gaps in services after her 2022 death and urged mandatory review to create a paper trail, assessments and trauma treatment. “Mandating SINs ensures…there is a structured review,” Bolon Zahir Shiamru told the committee, saying his family received inconsistent support after the tragedy. Senator Jill P. Carter, who helped shepherd related legislation in the Senate, said the measure previously passed the Senate twice and framed the bill as a public‑safety and services reform: “Trauma untreated is trauma repeated,” she said.

Members asked about DJS capacity and the fiscal implications; delegates cited DJS intake statistics noted in the fiscal material (CINA cases represented 4.3% of 24,335 intake charges in a recent year; 4,466 complaints involved children under 13). Ruff said the number of children newly subject to the process would be small but emphasized the need for funding for wraparound services. He also noted a technical change from last year’s language (removal of the word “delinquent”).

No formal opposition was recorded at the hearing; sponsors asked the committee to advance the bill for further consideration.