Review Maryland's confidentiality laws for minors' mental health
The Issue
May 25, 2026, we tragically lost our beloved daughter Danielle "Dani" Nicole Bacife to suicide. Dani was full of light and her absence leaves a void that can never be filled.
Dani was only 19 years old—a vibrant young woman that successfully completed her first year at Coppin State University. She had dreams and aspirations ahead of her.
When Dani was in tenth grade, while trying to schedule a routine physical, I discovered she had been self-harming. This heart-wrenching revelation came as a complete shock to her Dad and I, as we were never informed by her therapist or given any access to her medical records.
Our tragic loss highlights a significant issue: the confidentiality laws governing minors' mental health in Maryland and the interpretation and application of HIPAA regulations. Current laws and policies often exclude parents from critical information regarding their children's mental health, potentially leaving them in the dark about serious issues such as self-harm or suicidal ideations. Timely parental intervention can be crucial in providing necessary support and resources for at-risk minors.
The intent of confidentiality laws, including HIPAA, is to protect patient privacy and foster a trusting relationship between healthcare providers and their patients. However, when the welfare and even the life of a minor is at risk, exceptions must be in place to ensure parents or guardians, who are fundamentally responsible for their child's wellbeing, have the opportunity to intervene effectively.
I cannot re-write our precious Dani's story but I can advocate to prevent tragedies like ours from happening to others. I am urging the Maryland legislature to review and amend the current laws regarding minors' mental health confidentiality. I propose clearer guidance on when healthcare providers are required to inform parents about situations involving self-harm or potential suicide risks. I also call for a reevaluation of how HIPAA regulations are applied in these sensitive and critical circumstances.
Concrete actions can make a difference. I recommend training healthcare professionals to better recognize and report risks of self-harm and suicide in minors, establishing protocols that balance confidentiality with safety, and encouraging open communication channels between minors, parents, and healthcare providers.
It is imperative that we strike a balance between respecting minors' confidentiality and ensuring their safety by involving parents in life-threatening situations. Only by reviewing and updating our laws can we continue to prevent families from experiencing the indescribable loss we have faced.
Sign this petition if you believe in reforming Maryland's confidentiality laws to provide parents with the information they need to protect and support their children during their most vulnerable times.
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The Issue
May 25, 2026, we tragically lost our beloved daughter Danielle "Dani" Nicole Bacife to suicide. Dani was full of light and her absence leaves a void that can never be filled.
Dani was only 19 years old—a vibrant young woman that successfully completed her first year at Coppin State University. She had dreams and aspirations ahead of her.
When Dani was in tenth grade, while trying to schedule a routine physical, I discovered she had been self-harming. This heart-wrenching revelation came as a complete shock to her Dad and I, as we were never informed by her therapist or given any access to her medical records.
Our tragic loss highlights a significant issue: the confidentiality laws governing minors' mental health in Maryland and the interpretation and application of HIPAA regulations. Current laws and policies often exclude parents from critical information regarding their children's mental health, potentially leaving them in the dark about serious issues such as self-harm or suicidal ideations. Timely parental intervention can be crucial in providing necessary support and resources for at-risk minors.
The intent of confidentiality laws, including HIPAA, is to protect patient privacy and foster a trusting relationship between healthcare providers and their patients. However, when the welfare and even the life of a minor is at risk, exceptions must be in place to ensure parents or guardians, who are fundamentally responsible for their child's wellbeing, have the opportunity to intervene effectively.
I cannot re-write our precious Dani's story but I can advocate to prevent tragedies like ours from happening to others. I am urging the Maryland legislature to review and amend the current laws regarding minors' mental health confidentiality. I propose clearer guidance on when healthcare providers are required to inform parents about situations involving self-harm or potential suicide risks. I also call for a reevaluation of how HIPAA regulations are applied in these sensitive and critical circumstances.
Concrete actions can make a difference. I recommend training healthcare professionals to better recognize and report risks of self-harm and suicide in minors, establishing protocols that balance confidentiality with safety, and encouraging open communication channels between minors, parents, and healthcare providers.
It is imperative that we strike a balance between respecting minors' confidentiality and ensuring their safety by involving parents in life-threatening situations. Only by reviewing and updating our laws can we continue to prevent families from experiencing the indescribable loss we have faced.
Sign this petition if you believe in reforming Maryland's confidentiality laws to provide parents with the information they need to protect and support their children during their most vulnerable times.
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Petition created on September 3, 2026