PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor                             Ch. 430

records may be disclosed under certain circumstances; making stylistic changes;
clarifying language; and generally relating to confidentiality and social services,
medical assistance, public assistance, and child abuse and neglect records.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article 88A - Social Services Administration
Section 6

Annotated Code of Maryland
(1995 Replacement Volume)

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

Article 88A - Social Services Administration

6.

(a)     Except in accordance with a court order or to an authorized officer or
employee of the State, ANOTHER STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT, 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] REPORTS or records concerning
child abuse or neglect may be disclosed only:

(1)     (I) Under a court order Oft;; OR IF THE REQUEST FOR DISCLOSURE
CONCERNS A CASE PENDING BEFORE THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS
AND PROVISIONS ARE MADE TO COMPLY WITH OTHER STATE OR FEDERAL
CONFIDENTIALITY LAWS AND TO PROTECT THE IDENTITY OF THE REPORTER OR
OTHER PERSON WHOSE LIFE OR SAFETY IS LIKELY TO BE ENDANGERED BY
DISCLOSURE, UNDER AN ORDER OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE

(II) UNDER AN ORDER OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE. IF
THE REQUEST FOR DISCLOSURE CONCERNS A CASE PENDING BEFORE THE OFFICE
OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS AND PROVISIONS ARE MADE TO COMPLY WITH
OTHER STATE OR FEDERAL CONFIDENTIALITY LAWS AND TO PROTECT THE
IDENTITY OF THE REPORTER OR OTHER PERSON WHOSE LIFE OR SAFETY IS LIKELY
TO BE ENDANGERED BY DISCLOSURE;

(2)     To personnel of ANY local or State [departments] DEPARTMENT of
Social Services, law enforcement personnel, and members of multidisciplinary case

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