(1) within 5 years after the date of referral if the investigation under §
5-706 of this subtitle concludes that the report is unsubstantiated, and no further
reports of abuse or neglect are received during the 5 years; and

(2) within 120 days after the date of referral if the report is ruled out,
and no further reports of abuse or neglect are received during the 120 days.

[5-714.

(a) The Social Services Administration and each local department may
maintain a central registry of cases reported under this subtitle.

(b) The respective local departments throughout this State shall provide the
information for the A central registry.

(c) The information in the A central registry shall be at the disposal of:

(1) the protective services staff of the Social Services Administration;

(2) the protective services staffs of local departments who are
investigating a report of suspected abuse or neglect; and

(3) law enforcement personnel who are investigating a report of
suspected abuse or neglect.]

(D) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION, AND
SUBJECT TO SUBSECTION (E) OF THIS SECTION, A CENTRAL REGISTRY MAY CONTAIN
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION RELATED TO AN INVESTIGATION OF ABUSE OR
NEGLECT.

(2) A CENTRAL REGISTRY MAY NOT CONTAIN IDENTIFYING
INFORMATION RELATED TO AN INVESTIGATION OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT IF:

(I) ABUSE OR NEGLECT HAS BEEN RULED OUT; OR

(II) THE ABUSE OR NEGLECT FINDING HAS BEEN EXPUNGED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH § 5-707(B)(l) OF THIS SUBTITLE.

(E) (1) THE DEPARTMENT OR A LOCAL DEPARTMENT MAY IDENTIFY AN
INDIVIDUAL AS RESPONSIBLE FOR ABUSE OR NEGLECT IN A CENTRAL REGISTRY
ONLY IF THE INDIVIDUAL:

(I) HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY OF ANY CRIMINAL CHARGE ARISING
OUT OF THE ALLEGED ABUSE OR NEGLECT; OR

(II) HAS BEEN FOUND RESPONSIBLE FOR INDICATED ABUSE OR
NEGLECT AND HAS:

1. UNSUCCESSFULLY APPEALED THE FINDING IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED UNDER § 5-706.1 OF THIS
SUBTITLE; OR