WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                         Ch. 318

(1)     where the allegedly abused or neglected child lives; or

(2)     if different, where the abuse or neglect is alleged to have taken place.

[(n)](O) (1) "Neglect" means the leaving of a child unattended or other failure
to give proper care and attention to a child by the child's parents, guardian, or custodian
under circumstances that indicate that the child's health or welfare is significantly harmed
or placed at risk of significant harm,

(2) "Neglect" does not include, for that reason alone, providing a child with
nonmedical religious remedial care and treatment recognized by State law.

[(o)](P) "Police officer" means any State or local officer who is authorized to
make arrests as part of the officer's official duty.

(q) "Record" means the original or any copy of any documentary material, in any
form, including a report of suspected child abuse or neglect, that is made by, received by,
or received from the State, a county, or a municipal corporation in the State, or any
subdivision or agency concerning a case of alleged child abuse or neglect.

(r) "Report" means an allegation of abuse or neglect, made or received under
Title 5, Subtitle 7 of the Family Law Article.

(s) "Ruled out" means a finding that abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse did not
occur.

(Q) "RECORD" MEANS THE ORIGINAL OR ANY COPY OF ANY DOCUMENTARY
MATERIAL, IN ANY FORM, INCLUDING A REPORT OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE OR
NEGLECT, THAT IS MADE BY, RECEIVED BY, OR RECEIVED FROM THE STATE, A COUNTY,
OR A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION IN THE STATE, OR ANY SUBDIVISION OR AGENCY
CONCERNING A CASE OF ALLEGED CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT.

(R) "REPORT" MEANS AN ALLEGATION OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT, MADE OR
RECEIVED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE.

(S) "RULED OUT" MEANS A FINDING THAT ABUSE, NEGLECT, OR SEXUAL ABUSE
DID NOT OCCUR.

[(p)](T) (1) "Sexual abuse" means any act that involves sexual molestation or
exploitation of a child by a parent or 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.

(U) "UNSUBSTANTIATED" MEANS A FINDING THAT THERE IS AN
INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT A FINDING OF INDICATED OR
RULED OUT.

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