WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                           Ch. 728

(2) "Sexual abuse" includes:

(i) incest, rape, or sexual offense in any degree;

(ii) sodomy; and

(iii) unnatural or perverted sexual practices.

[(u)](V) "Unsubstantiated" means a finding that there is an insufficient amount
of evidence to support a finding of indicated or ruled out.

5-706.

(b) Within 24 hours after receiving a report of suspected PHYSICAL OR SEXUAL
abuse and within 5 days after receiving a report of suspected neglect OR SUSPECTED
MENTAL INJURY, 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 MENTAL INJURY IS SUSPECTED, AN ASSESSMENT BY ONE TWO OF
THE FOLLOWING:

(I)       A LICENSED PHYSICIAN, AS DEFINED IN § 14-101 OF THE
HEALTH OCCUPATIONS ARTICLE;

(II)     A LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST, AS DEFINED IN § 18-101 OF THE
HEALTH OCCUPATIONS ARTICLE; OR

(III)    A LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER, AS DEFINED IN § 19-101 OF THE
HEALTH OCCUPATIONS ARTICLE; AND

[(2)] (3) if the suspected abuse or neglect is verified:

(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

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