Ch. 635

LAWS OF MARYLAND

OTHER PERSON WHO HAS PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY CARE OR CUSTODY OR
RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUPERVISION OF A CHILD, OR BY ANY HOUSEHOLD OR
FAMILY MEMBER.

(2) "SEXUAL ABUSE" INCLUDES:

(I)  INCEST, RAPE, OR SEXUAL OFFENSE IN ANY
DEGREE;

(II)  SODOMY; AND

(III)  UNNATURAL OR PERVERTED SEXUAL PRACTICES.

5-702.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS SUBTITLE IS TO PROTECT CHILDREN WHO HAVE
BEEN THE SUBJECT OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT BY:

(1)  MANDATING THE REPORTING OF ANY SUSPECTED ABUSE OR
NEGLECT;

(2)  GIVING IMMUNITY TO ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO REPORTS, IN
GOOD FAITH, A SUSPECTED INCIDENT OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT;

(3)  REQUIRING PROMPT INVESTIGATION OF EACH REPORTED
SUSPECTED INCIDENT OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT;

(4)  CAUSING IMMEDIATE, COOPERATIVE EFFORTS BY THE
RESPONSIBLE AGENCIES ON BEHALF OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN THE
SUBJECT OF REPORTS OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT; AND

(5)  REQUIRING EACH LOCAL DEPARTMENT TO GIVE THE
APPROPRIATE SERVICE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE ABUSED OR
NEGLECTED CHILD.

5-703.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBTITLE ARE IN ADDITION TO. AND NOT
IN SUBSTITUTION FOR THE PROVISIONS OF TITLE 3, SUBTITLE 8 OF THE
COURTS AND JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE.

5-704.

(A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, INCLUDING
ANY LAW ON PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATIONS, EACH HEALTH PRACTITIONER,
POLICE OFFICER, OR EDUCATOR OR HUMAN SERVICE WORKER, ACTING IN A
PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY, WHO HAS REASON TO BELIEVE THAT A CHILD HAS
BEEN SUBJECTED TO:

(1) (I) ABUSE, SHALL NOTIFY THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT OR
THE APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY; OR

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