PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor                             Ch. 585

796. RESERVED.

797. RESERVED.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
[ 11F.] 798. DUTIES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS — DOMESTIC ABUSE.

(a)     (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated;

(2)     "Abuse" has the meaning stated in § 4-501 of the Family Law Article.

(3)     "Victim" includes a "person eligible for relief as described in § 4-501 of
the Family Law Article.

(b)     (1) Any person who alleges to have been a victim of abuse and who believes
there is a danger of serious and immediate injury to himself or herself may request the
assistance of a local law enforcement agency.

(2) A local law enforcement officer responding to the request for assistance
shall:

(i) Protect the complainant from harm when responding to the
request; and

(ii) Accompany the complainant to the family home so that the
complainant may remove:

1.       The personal clothing of the complainant and of any child in
the care of the complainant; and

2.       The personal effects of the complainant and of any child in
the care of the complainant that are required for the immediate needs of the complainant
or the child.

(c)     Any law enforcement officer responding to such a request shall have the
immunity from liability described under § 5-326 of the Courts [and Judicial Proceedings]
Article.

DRAFTER'S NOTE: This section formerly was Art. 27, § 11F of the Code.

The only changes are in style.

[771.] 799. SAME — NOTICE OF VICTIM'S RIGHTS WHEN RESPONDING TO DOMESTIC
ABUSE.

(a) When a law enforcement officer responds to a request for assistance under [ §
11F] § 798 of this [article] SUBHEADING, the officer shall give the victim a copy of a
written notice that:

(1) States that the victim may:

(i) Request that a District Court commissioner file a criminal
charging document against the alleged abuser;

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