1708                                      LAWS OF MARYLAND                                 Ch. 835

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That Section 7B be and it is hereby added to Article 62 of the
Annotated Code of Maryland (1972 Replacement Volume), title "Marriages," to
follow immediately after Section 7A thereof, and to read as follows:

7B.

EXCEPT IN CAROLINE, CECIL, KENT, QUEEN ANNE'S, AND
TALBOT COUNTIES THE CLERKS OF THE COURT SHALL, AT THE
TIME OF ISSUANCE OF A MARRIAGE LICENSE, [[DISTRIBUTE]]
MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE APPLICANTS THEREFOR, BIRTH
CONTROL INFORMATION AND A LIST OF FAMILY PLANNING
CLINICS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OR CITY OF THE ISSUING
OFFICE. THESE LISTS AND INFORMATION SHALL BE FURNISHED
BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take
effect July 1, 1973.

Approved May 24, 1973.

CHAPTER 835
(House Bill 1056)

AN ACT to repeal and re-enact, with amendments, Section 35A of Article 27 of
the Annotated Code of Maryland (1971 Replacement Volume), title "Crimes
and Punishments," subtitle "I. Crimes and Punishments," subheading "Child
Abuse," and Section 4 of Article 35 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1971
Replacement Volume and 1972 Supplement), title "Evidence," subtitle
"Competency of Witness," [[and to generally amend the laws on child abuse.]]
to provide certain definitions in the child abuse law and to mandate the
reporting of suspected child abuse to certain agencies, and providing for
cooperative efforts by certain agencies in cases of child abuse, and extending
immunity to persons who report child abuse cases in good faith, and generally
clarifying and extending the law relating to child abuse.

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That Section 35A of Article 27 of the Annotated Code of
Maryland (1971 Replacement Volume), title "Crimes and Punishments," subtitle
"I. Crimes and Punishments," subheading "Child Abuse," be and it is hereby
repealed and re-enacted, with amendments, and Section 4 of Article 35 of the
Annotated Code of Maryland (1971 Replacement Volume and 1972 Supplement),
title "Evidence," subtitle "Competency of Witness," be and it is hereby repealed
and re-enacted, with amendments, to read as follows:

35A.

PURPOSE.- THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HEREBY DECLARES AS ITS
LEGISLATIVE INTENT AND PURPOSE THE PROTECTION OF
CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN THE SUBJECT OF ABUSE BY
MANDATING THE REPORTING OF SUSPECTED ABUSE, BY
EXTENDING IMMUNITY TO THOSE WHO REPORT IN GOOD FAITH,
BY REQUIRING PROMPT INVESTIGATIONS OF SUCH REPORTS AND
BY CAUSING IMMEDIATE, COOPERATIVE EFFORTS BY THE