ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                             Ch. 163

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

Article - Family Law

5-714.

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

(b)     (1) The respective local departments throughout this State shall provide
the information for a central registry.

(2) Except for identifying information authorized under subsection (d) of
this section, a central registry may not include information from a local department
case file until any individual found responsible for indicated or unsubstantiated child
abuse or neglect has:

(i) been found guilty of any criminal charge arising from the
alleged abuse or neglect;

(ii) unsuccessfully appealed the finding in accordance with the
procedures established under § 5-706.1 of this subtitle; or

(iii) failed to exercise the appeal rights within the time frames
specified in § 5-706.1 of this subtitle, Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government
Article, or the Maryland Rules.

(c)      The information in 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)(1) 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

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