HARRY HUGHES, Governor

3107

(iii) an evaluation of the parents and the home
environment; and

(iv) a determination of any other pertinent
facts or matters.

(c) On request by the local department, the local State's
Attorney shall assist in the investigation.

(D)  BEFORE JANUARY 1, 1985, THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT, THE
APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AND THE STATE'S ATTORNEY
WITHIN EACH COUNTY AND BALTIMORE CITY SHALL ENTER INTO A WRITTEN
AGREEMENT THAT SPECIFIES STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR THE
INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF REPORTED CASES OF CHILD ABUSE.

(E)  (1) BEFORE JANUARY 1, 1985, THE AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE
FOR INVESTIGATING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE, INCLUDING THE LOCAL
DEPARTMENT, THE APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AND THE
LOCAL STATE'S ATTORNEY SHALL IMPLEMENT A JOINT INVESTIGATION
PROCEDURE FOR CONDUCTING JOINT INVESTIGATIONS OF CHILD SEXUAL
ABUSE.

(2) THE JOINT INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE SHALL:

(I)  INCLUDE APPROPRIATE TECHNIQUES FOR
EXPEDITING VALIDATION OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE COMPLAINTS;

(II)  INCLUDE INVESTIGATION TECHNIQUES DESIGNED
TO:

                                           1. DECREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR PHYSICAL

HARM TO THE CHILD; AND

2. DECREASE ANY TRAUMA EXPERIENCED BY THE
CHILD IN THE INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF THE CASE; AND

(III) REQUIRE THAT ALL PERSONS INVOLVED IN THE
INVESTIGATION OR PROSECUTION OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE CASES ON OR
AFTER JULY 1, 1985 COMPLETE A TRAINING PROGRAM IN CHILD SEXUAL
ABUSE.

(III)  ESTABLISH A TRAINING PROGRAM PRIOR TO
JULY 1, 1985, FOR PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN THE INVESTIGATION OR
PROSECUTION OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE CASES.

[(d)] (F) An investigation under this section shall be
completed within 10 days after receipt of the first notice of the
suspected abuse by the local department OR LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGENCIES.

[(e)] (G) Within 5 business days after completion of  the

investigation, the local department, and the appropriate     law

enforcement agency, if that agency participated in    the

investigation, shall make a complete written report of    its
findings to the local State's Attorney.