Updated on: February 16, 2026 / 10:36 PM EST / CBS Baltimore
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Rafael López, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), will be departing his role on Monday, February 23, as announced by the Governor’s office. López cited “health-related reasons” as the impetus for his resignation, concluding his tenure leading the state’s social services programs. He affirmed his continued dedication to the well-being of Maryland residents, stating, “I will always be invested in making sure that our people have access to the services and support they need to thrive.”
Leadership Transition at Maryland DHS
The Governor indicated a phased leadership transition will commence with Gloria Brown Burnett, currently Deputy Secretary, assuming the role of interim secretary until April 1. Following Burnett’s interim period, Stacy L. Rodgers, formerly the Baltimore County Administrative Officer, will step in to lead the department on a temporary basis while a comprehensive search for a permanent replacement is undertaken. The Governor expressed gratitude for López’s service, acknowledging his contributions during a particularly demanding period for the state.
Key Achievements Under Secretary López
During López’s leadership, the Maryland Department of Human Services achieved notable progress in several key areas. The department successfully increased kinship care placements for youth in foster care by 30% through enhanced data sharing and strengthened family engagement initiatives. Furthermore, significant strides were made in improving the accuracy of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, reducing the payment error rate from nearly 36% – the second-highest in the nation in 2023 – to 13.64%.
The DHS also prioritized efforts to combat child poverty and hunger through the Maryland SUN Bucks program. This initiative delivered over $75.5 million in federal summer nutrition benefits to more than 630,000 students during the summer of 2025, and exceeded $71 million in benefits during the summer of 2024. Governor Moore lauded López’s leadership, stating, “Secretary López built a more solid foundation for service, and together we will continue to build upon that progress.”
Scrutiny Following Audit Findings and Foster Care Concerns
López’s departure follows heightened scrutiny stemming from a critical audit and the tragic death of 16-year-old Kanaiyah Ward, a foster child who died in September 2025 after an overdose while residing in a Baltimore hotel contracted by the DHS. The audit revealed systemic issues within the department, including the placement of 280 foster care children in hotels during 2023 and 2024. These placements, often prolonged – with over 80 children staying for three months to two years – incurred a cost of $10.4 million to taxpayers.
The audit also highlighted deficiencies in adherence to state mandates, specifically a lack of coordination with the sex offender registry, resulting in children being placed in homes matching the addresses of registered offenders. Concerns were also raised regarding the lack of support for educational and health services for children in these placements, and instances of placements in unauthorized settings without adequate supervision. In response to these findings, the DHS implemented a new policy prohibiting the housing of minors in unlicensed settings, mandating a transition to more appropriate placements.
Maryland Senate Republicans expressed that López’s resignation does not resolve the underlying issues of accountability. They pointed to a pattern of turnover within the Moore-Miller Administration, with nine cabinet-level officials departing in three years. Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey stated, “Marylanders are seeing a pattern…simply swapping out leadership does not fix the problem.” Senator Justin Ready, a member of the audit committee, characterized the audit findings as “some of the worst I’ve ever seen,” emphasizing fundamental failures in internal controls and fiscal oversight.
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