Ch. 635

LAWS OF MARYLAND

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

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

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

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

(V)  A DETERMINATION OF ANY NEEDED SERVICES.

(D)  ON REQUEST BY THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT, THE LOCAL STATE'S
ATTORNEY SHALL ASSIST IN THE INVESTIGATION.

(E)  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 SUSPECTED
ABUSE.

(F)  (1) BEFORE JANUARY 1, 1985, THE AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE
FOR INVESTIGATING REPORTED CASES OF SUSPECTED 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
SEXUAL ABUSE.

(2) THE JOINT INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE SHALL:

(I)  INCLUDE APPROPRIATE TECHNIQUES FOR
EXPEDITING VALIDATION OF 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)   ESTABLISH A AN ONGOING TRAINING PROGRAM

PRIOR TO JULY 1, 1985, FOR PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN THE

INVESTIGATION OR PROSECUTION OF SEXUAL ABUSE CASES.

(G)  (1) TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, AN INVESTIGATION UNDER THIS
SECTION SHALL BE COMPLETED WITHIN 10 DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF THE
FIRST NOTICE OF THE SUSPECTED ABUSE OR NEGLECT BY THE LOCAL
DEPARTMENT OR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

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