2578

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 880

HOWEVER, A CHILD MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED NEGLECTED FOR THE

SOLE REASON THAT THE CHILD IS RECEIVING NONMEDICAL REMEDIAL

CARE AND TREATMENT RECOGNIZED BY STATE LAW IN LIEU OF

MEDICAL TREATMENT.

(E)    "HEALTH PRACTITIONER" INCLUDES ANY PHYSICIAN,
SURGEON, PSYCHOLOGIST, CHIROPRACTOR, OSTEOPATH, MEDICAL
ASSISTANT, DENTIST, AND ANY OTHER PERSON AUTHORIZED TO
ENGAGE IN THE PRACTICE OF HEALING, ANY RESIDENT OR INTERN IN
ANY OF THESE PROFESSIONS, AND ANY REGISTERED OR LICENSED
PRACTICAL NURSE ATTENDING OR TREATING A CHILD IN THE ABSENCE
OF A PRACTITIONER OF ANY OF THESE PROFESSIONS.

(F)    "LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES" MEANS THE
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES HAVING JURISDICTION IN THE
SUBDIVISION WHERE THE CHILD LIVES, OR IF DIFFERENT, WHERE
THE NEGLECT IS ALLEGED TO HAVE TAKEN PLACE.

(G)    "EDUCATOR OR SOCIAL WORKER" MEANS ANY TEACHER,
COUNSELOR, OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEE OF ANY SCHOOL,
PUBLIC, PAROCHIAL, OR PRIVATE, OR ANY CASEWORKER OR SOCIAL
WORKER OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEE OF ANY PUBLIC OR
PRIVATE SOCIAL, EDUCATION, HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICE OR
JUVENILE SERVICE AGENCY, INSTITUTION OR LICENSED FACILITY OR
ANY PROBATION OR PAROLE OFFICER OR ANY PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEE
OF A CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION.

(H) "LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER" MEANS ANY POLICE
OFFICER OR STATE TROOPER IN THE SERVICE OF THE STATE OF
MARYLAND OR ANY COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY OF THE STATE.

(I) "LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY" INCLUDES ANY STATE,
COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY, SHERIFF'S
OFFICE, THE STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL'S OFFICE.

5.

(A)    THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECLARES AS ITS LEGISLATIVE
INTENT AND PURPOSE THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN WHO ARE
NEGLECTED BY MANDATING THAT HEALTH PRACTITIONERS, EDUCATORS,
SOCIAL WORKERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGENCIES REPORT SUSPECTED NEGLECT; BY EXTENDING IMMUNITY TO
THOSE WHO REPORT, IN GOOD FAITH, INCIDENTS OF NEGLECT; BY
REQUIRING TIMELY INVESTIGATIONS OF THE REPORTS; AND BY
REQUIRING THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO RENDER
THE APPROPRIATE SERVICE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD.

(B)    THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE THAT     RELATE TO
REPORTING OF CHILD NEGLECT ARE IN ADDITION TO   AND NOT IN
SUBSTITUTION OF PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 27, SECTION   35A, THAT
RELATE TO REPORTING OF CHILD ABUSE.

(C) THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE ARE IN ADDITION TO
AND NOT IN SUBSTITUTION OF THE PROVISIONS OF "SUBTITLE 8.
JUVENILE CAUSES" OF TITLE 3, OF THE COURTS AND JUDICIAL
PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE OF THE CODE.