980

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 21

1.  ANY PHYSICAL INJURY; OR

2.  ANY NEGLECT THAT IS DETRIMENTAL
TO PHYSICAL OR MENTAL WELL-BEING; AND

(II) "ABUSE" DOES NOT INCLUDE THE
PERFORMANCE OF AN ACCEPTED MEDICAL PROCEDURE THAT A
PHYSICIAN ORDERS.

(3)  "LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY" MEANS THE MARYLAND
STATE POLICE OR A POLICE AGENCY OF A COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL
CORPORATION.

(4)  "NURSING HOME" MEANS A RELATED INSTITUTION
THAT IS CLASSIFIED AS A NURSING HOME.

(B)  REPORT OF ALLEGED ABUSE.

(1)  A PERSON WHO BELIEVES THAT A RESIDENT OF A
NURSING HOME HAS BEEN ABUSED PROMPTLY SHALL REPORT THE
ALLEGED ABUSE TO AN APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND
TO THE SECRETARY.

(2)  A REPORT:

(I)  MAY BE ORAL OR WRITTEN; AND

(II)  SHALL CONTAIN AS MUCH INFORMATION AS
THE REPORTER IS ABLE TO PROVIDE.

(C)  INVESTIGATION.

(1)  THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY SHALL:

(I)  INVESTIGATE THOROUGHLY EACH REPORT OF
AN ALLEGED ABUSE; AND

(II)  ATTEMPT TO INSURE THE PROTECTION OF
THE ALLEGED VICTIM.

(2)  THE INVESTIGATION SHALL INCLUDE:

(I)  A DETERMINATION OF THE NATURE, EXTENT,
AND CAUSE OF THE ABUSE;

(II)  THE IDENTITY OF THE ALLEGED ABUSER;
AND

(III)  ANY OTHER PERTINENT FACT OR MATTER.

(D)  REPORT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.

WITHIN 10 WORKING DAYS AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE
INVESTIGATION, THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY SHALL SUBMIT A