Ch. 318                                     1993 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(II) CONTAINS INFORMATION ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
CASES.

(2) "CENTRAL REGISTRY" INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING, WHETHER OR
NOT LOCATED CENTRALLY:

(I) A MANUAL OR AUTOMATED DATA FILE; AND

(II) ALL REPORTS AND RECORDS OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE
AND NEGLECT MAINTAINED BY A LOCAL DEPARTMENT OR THE DEPARTMENT.

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 7 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;

(5)     To a licensed practitioner who, or an agency, institution, or program
which is providing treatment or care to a child who is the subject of a report of child
abuse or neglect; or

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