PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor                             Ch. 570

Approved May 25, 1995.

CHAPTER 570
(House Bill 791)

AN ACT concerning

Child Abuse and Neglect Hearings - Appeals and Procedures

FOR the purpose of altering the procedures applicable to child abuse and neglect
hearings that involve a Child In Need of Assistance (CINA) proceeding; requiring
the Office of Administrative Hearings to stay or to vacate a hearing under certain
circumstances; providing for the effective date of this Act; providing for the
application of this Act; and generally relating to child abuse and neglect hearings.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Family Law
Section 5-706.1
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1991 Replacement Volume and 1994 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Family Law

5-706.1.

(a) Within 30 days after the completion of an investigation in which there has
been a finding of indicated or unsubstantiated abuse or neglect, the local department
shall notify in writing the person alleged to have abused or neglected a child:

(1)     of the finding; and

(2)     [except when a CINA petition has been filed involving the child alleged
to be abused or neglected,] that the person may request an administrative hearing to
appeal the finding.

[(b) Within 30 days of a dismissal of a CINA petition, the local department of
social services shall notify in writing the person alleged to have abused or neglected a
child that the person may request an administrative hearing to appeal an indicated or
unsubstantiated finding.]

[(c)] (B) A person may request an administrative hearing by responding to the
notice of the local department of social services in writing within 60 days.

[(d)](C) The local department shall forward all requests for hearings to the
Office of Administrative Hearings within 10 days of receipt.

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