WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor

(II) THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WELFARE ASSOCIATION.

(2) WITHIN 20 DAYS AFTER THE RECEIPT OF A REPORT OF
ALLEGED CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT SHALL SUBMIT
A REPORT TO THE JUVENILE COURT ON WHETHER OR NOT THE FOSTER CARE
HOME COMPLIES WITH THE STANDARDS REQUIRED UNDER THIS SUBSECTION.

Article 88A - Social Services Administration

6.

(a)  Except in accordance with a court order or to an
authorized officer or employee of the State, or the United
States, or a fiduciary institution having a right thereto in an
official capacity, and as necessary to discharge responsibilities
to administer public assistance, medical assistance, or social
services programs, it shall be unlawful for any person or persons
to divulge or make known in any manner any information concerning
any applicant for or recipient of social services, child welfare
services, cash assistance, food stamps, or medical assistance,
directly or indirectly derived from the records, papers, files,
investigations or communications of the State, county or city, or
subdivisions or agencies thereof, or acquired in the course of
the performance of official duties.

(b)  Except as otherwise provided in Title 5, Subtitle 9 of
the Family Law Article, all records and reports concerning child
abuse or neglect are confidential, and their unauthorized
disclosure is a criminal offense subject to the penalty set out
in subsection (e) of this section. Information contained in
reports or records concerning child abuse or neglect may be
disclosed only:

(1)  Under a court order;

(2)  To personnel of local or State departments of
social services, law enforcement personnel, and members of
multidisciplinary case consultation teams, who are investigating
a report of known or suspected child abuse or neglect or who are
providing services to a child or family that is the subject of
the report;

(3)  To local or State officials responsible for the
administration of the child protective service as necessary to
carry out their official functions;

(4)  To a person who is the alleged child abuser or
the person who is suspected of child neglect if that person is
responsible for the child's welfare and provisions are made for
the protection of the identity of the reporter or any other
person whose life or safety is likely to be endangered by
disclosing the information;

- 5315 -