2020

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 296

In items (2) and (3) of this section, the words
"suspected incident of abuse" are new language added
for clarity.

Defined terms: "Abuse" § 5-901
"Child" § 5-901

5-903. REPORTING OF ABUSE -- BY HEALTH PRACTITIONERS, POLICE
OFFICERS, EDUCATORS OR SOCIAL WORKERS.

(A)  IN GENERAL.

NOTWITHSTANDING ANY LAW ON PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATIONS, EACH
HEALTH PRACTITIONER, POLICE OFFICER, EDUCATOR OR SOCIAL WORKER
WHO CONTACTS, EXAMINES, ATTENDS, OR TREATS A CHILD AND WHO HAS
REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE CHILD HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO ABUSE
SHALL .-

(1)  NOTIFY THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT OR THE APPROPRIATE
LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY; AND

(2)  IF ACTING AS A STAFF MEMBER OF A HOSPITAL, PUBLIC
HEALTH AGENCY, CHILD CARE INSTITUTION, JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER,
SCHOOL, OR SIMILAR INSTITUTION, IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY AND GIVE ALL
INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION TO THE HEAD OF THE
INSTITUTION OR THE DESIGNEE OF THE HEAD.

(B)  ORAL AND WRITTEN REPORTS.

(1)  AN INDIVIDUAL WHO NOTIFIES THE APPROPRIATE
AUTHORITIES UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION SHALL MAKE:

(I)  AN ORAL REPORT, BY TELEPHONE OR DIRECT
COMMUNICATION, TO THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT OR THE APPROPRIATE LAW
ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE; AND

(II)  A WRITTEN REPORT TO THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT,
WITH A COPY SENT TO THE LOCAL STATE'S ATTORNEY, NOT LATER THAN 48
HOURS AFTER THE CONTACT, EXAMINATION, ATTENTION, OR TREATMENT
THAT CAUSED THE INDIVIDUAL TO BELIEVE THAT THE CHILD HAD BEEN
SUBJECTED TO ABUSE.

(2)  AN AGENCY TO WHICH AN ORAL REPORT IS MADE UNDER
PARAGRAPH (1)(I) OF THIS SUBSECTION SHALL IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE
OTHER AGENCY. HOWEVER, NOTHING SHALL PROHIBIT A LOCAL DEPARTMENT
AND AN APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT . AGENCY FROM AGREEING TO
COOPERATIVE ARRANGEMENTS.

(C)  CONTENTS OF REPORT.

INSOFAR AS IS REASONABLY POSSIBLE, AN INDIVIDUAL WHO MAKES A
REPORT UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL INCLUDE IN THE REPORT THE
FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

(1) THE NAME, AGE, AND HOME ADDRESS OF THE CHILD;