2022

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 296

(C)  FORM OF REPORT.

A REPORT MADE UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION MAY BE
ORAL OR IN WRITING.

(D)  CONTENTS OF REPORT.

A REPORT MADE UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE
REGARDED AS A REPORT WITHIN THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBTITLE,
WHETHER OR NOT THE REPORT CONTAINS ALL OF THE INFORMATION
REQUIRED BY § 5-903 OF THIS SUBTITLE.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section formerly appeared as Article
27, § 35A(e).

The only changes are in style.

Defined terms: "Abuse" § 5-901

"Child" § 5-901 "Educator or social worker" § 5-901

"Health practitioner" § 5-901

"Law enforcement agency" § 5-901

"Local department" § 5-901 "Police officer" § 5-901

5-905. INVESTIGATION.

(A)  INITIATION OF INVESTIGATION.

PROMPTLY AFTER RECEIVING A REPORT OF SUSPECTED ABUSE, THE
LOCAL DEPARTMENT OR THE APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, AS
APPROPRIATE, OR BOTH, IF JOINTLY AGREED ON, SHALL MAKE A THOROUGH
INVESTIGATION TO PROTECT THE WELFARE OF THE CHILD OR CHILDREN.

(B)  SCOPE OF INVESTIGATION.
THE INVESTIGATION SHALL INCLUDE:

(1)  A DETERMINATION OF THE NATURE, EXTENT, AND CAUSE
OF THE ABUSE, IF ANY; AND

(2)  IF THE SUSPECTED ABUSE IS VERIFIED:

(I)  A DETERMINATION OF THE IDENTITY OF THE
PERSON OR PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ABUSE;

(II)  A DETERMINATION OF THE NAME, AGE, AND
CONDITION OF ANY OTHER CHILD IN THE SAME HOUSEHOLD;

(III)  AN EVALUATION OF THE PARENTS AND THE HOME
ENVIRONMENT; AND

(IV)  A DETERMINATION OF ANY OTHER PERTINENT
FACTS OR MATTERS.

(C)  ASSISTANCE BY STATE'S ATTORNEY.