WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                   Ch. 635

(2) THIS SUBSECTION DOES NOT PROHIBIT A LOCAL
DEPARTMENT AND AN APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY FROM
AGREEING TO COOPERATIVE ARRANGEMENTS.

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

(D) (1) TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, A REPORT MADE UNDER
SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION SHALL INCLUDE THE INFORMATION
REQUIRED BY § 5-704(C) OF THIS SUBTITLE.

(2) 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 § 5-704(C) OF THIS SUBTITLE.

5-706.

(A)  PROMPTLY AFTER RECEIVING A REPORT OF SUSPECTED ABUSE OR
NEGLECT:

(1)  THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT OR THE APPROPRIATE LAW
ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, OR BOTH, IF JOINTLY AGREED ON, SHALL MAKE A
THOROUGH INVESTIGATION OF A REPORT OF SUSPECTED ABUSE TO PROTECT
THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE OF THE CHILD OR CHILDREN; OR

(2)  THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT SHALL MAKE A THOROUGH
INVESTIGATION OF A REPORT OF SUSPECTED NEGLECT TO PROTECT THE
HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE OF THE CHILD OR CHILDREN.

(B) WITHIN 24 HOURS AFTER RECEIVING A REPORT OF SUSPECTED
ABUSE AND WITHIN 5 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING A REPORT OF SUSPECTED
NEGLECT, THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT OR THE APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGENCY SHALL:

(1)  SEE THE CHILD;

(2)  ATTEMPT TO HAVE AN ON-SITE INTERVIEW WITH THE
CHILD'S CARETAKER;

(3)  DECIDE ON THE SAFETY OF THE CHILD, WHEREVER THE
CHILD IS, AND OF OTHER CHILDREN IN THE HOUSEHOLD; AND

(4)  DECIDE ON THE SAFETY OF OTHER CHILDREN IN THE
CARE OR CUSTODY OF THE ALLEGED ABUSER.

(C)  THE INVESTIGATION SHALL INCLUDE:

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

(2)  IF THE SUSPECTED ABUSE OR NEGLECT IS VERIFIED:

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