2580

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 880

(1) THE NAME, HOME ADDRESS,
ADDRESS OF THE CHILD IN QUESTION;

OR LAST KNOWN

(2) THE NAME, HOME ADDRESS, OR LAST KNOWN
ADDRESS OF THE PARENT OR OTHER PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
CARE OF THE CHILD IN QUESTION;

QUESTION;

(3) THE PRESENT WHEREABOUTS OF THE CHILD IN

(4) THE AGE OF THE CHILD IN QUESTION;

(5)    NAMES AND AGES OF OTHER CHILDRED CHILDREN
IN THE HOUSEHOLD;

(6)    THE REASONS WHY THE PERSON MAKING THE
REPORT BELIEVES THAT THE CHILD IS A NEGLECTED CHILD,
INCLUDING A STATEMENT OF THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES GIVING
RISE TO HIS BELIEF.

8.

(A) THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES SHALL
MAKE A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION PROMPTLY AFTER RECEIVING A
REPORT OF A NEGLECTED CHILD. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE
INVESTIGATION IS TO PROTECT THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE
OF THE CHILD OR CHILDREN. THE INVESTIGATION SHALL INCLUDE A
DETERMINATION OF THE NATURE, EXTENT, AND CAUSE OF ANY
NEGLECT, IF ANY.

(B) IF THERE IS
INVESTIGATOR SHALL:

A

FINDING

OF

NEGLECT,

THE

(1) ASCERTAIN THE IDENTITY
PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE NEGLECT;

OF THE PERSON OR

(2) ASCERTAIN THE NAME, AGE, AND CONDITION OF
OTHER CHILDREN IN THE SAME HOUSEHOLD;

(3)

INCLUDE ALL OTHER PERTINENT FACTS

MATTERS.

AND

(C) THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES SHALL
COMPLETE A WRITTEN REPORT OF ITS FINDINGS WITHIN TEN WORKING
DAYS AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE INVESTIGATION. IF THERE IS
A FINDING OF NEGLECT, THE REPORT SHALL INCLUDE A TREATMENT
PLAN. IF THERE IS NOT A FINDING OF NEGLECT, THE REPORT
SHALL SO STATE.

(E) IF, IN THE COURSE OF THE INVESTIGATION CONDUCTED
BY THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES PURSUANT TO
SUBSECTION (A), A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPARTMENT HAS
PROBABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE A CHILD OR CHILDREN IS OR ARE IS
IN SERIOUS PHYSICAL DANGER OR THAT AN EMERGENCY EXISTS, THE
DEPARTMENT SHALL SEEK A COURT ORDER FOR A REPRESENTATIVE OF
THE DEPARTMENT TO ENTER THE HOUSEHOLD TO ASCERTAIN THE
CONDITION OF THE CHILD OR CHILDREN AND, IF DEEMED NECESSARY,
TO REMOVE THE CHILD OR CHILDREN. A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER