|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor Ch. 279
MAY BE IN DANGER AFTER DISCHARGE BASED ON THE PRACTITIONER'S
OBSERVATION OF THE BEHAVIOR OF THE CHILD'S PARENTS OR IMMEDIATE FAMILY
MEMBERS.
(C) ONLY THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CONCERNING CHILD ABUSE AND
NEGLECT MAY BE DISCLOSED TO A PRACTITIONER OF A HOSPITAL OR BIRTHING
CENTER UNDER SUBSECTION (B)(2)(X) OF THIS SECTION:
(1) WHETHER THERE IS A PRIOR FINDING OF INDICATED CHILD ABUSE
OR NEGLECT BY EITHER PARENT; AND
(2) WHETHER THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION OF CHILD ABUSE OR
NEGLECT PENDING AGAINST EITHER PARENT.
(e) (D) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit:
(1) The publication, for administrative or research purposes, of statistics
or other data so classified as to prevent the identification of particular persons or
cases;
(2) The Department of Human Resources from obtaining an individual's
financial records from a fiduciary institution in the course of verifying the
individual's eligibility for public assistance; or
(3) Disclosures as permitted by § 1-303 of the Financial Institutions
Article.
(d) (E) The Department of Human Resources shall issue regulations -
governing access to and use of confidential information which is in the possession of
the Department or local departments of social services.
(e) (F) Any offense against the provisions of this section shall be a
misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment
for not exceeding 90 days, or both, in the discretion of the court.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Department of
Human Resources shall report to the General Assembly on or before October 1, 2005,
in accordance with § 2-1246 of the State Government Article, on the feasibility of
offering family counseling services to individuals who have had a finding of indicated
child abuse or neglect. The report shall contain information regarding a family
counseling services program that provides family support services, family planning
services, abstinence education, and adoption services for at-risk individuals and their
children. The report shall include information on the use of community nurses or
substance abuse counselors to provide family counseling services and on the
feasibility of offering family counseling services in local departments of social
services. In considering alternatives for providing family counseling services, the
Department shall consider partnerships with State agencies and local health
departments, similar to the partnership that currently exists in Baltimore City.
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Department of
Human Resources shall report to the General Assembly on or before December 31,
2007, in accordance with § 2-1246 of the State Government Article, on the use and
- 1391 -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
