Ch. 167

2003 LAWS OF MARYLAND

CHAPTER 167
(House Bill 588)

AN ACT concerning

Criminal Law - Child Abuse and Child Sexual Abuse - Increased Penalties

FOR the purpose of prohibiting certain persons with permanent or temporary care or
custody or responsibility for the supervision of a minor from causing abuse
resulting in serious severe physical injury or death to the minor; altering certain
penalties for child abuse; establishing the offenses of child abuse in the first and
second degrees; increasing certain penalties for child sexual abuse; establishing
certain penalties for certain subsequent convictions of certain offenses; defining
a certain term; and generally relating to penalties for abuse and sexual abuse of
a minor.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Criminal Law
Section 3-601 and 3-602
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2002 Volume)

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

Article - Criminal Law

3-601.

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

(2)     "Abuse" means physical injury sustained by a minor as a result of
cruel or inhumane treatment or as a result of a malicious act under circumstances
that indicate that the minor's health or welfare is harmed or threatened by the
treatment or act.

(3)     "Family member" means a relative of a minor by blood, adoption, or
marriage.

(4)     "Household member" means a person who lives with or is a regular
presence in a home of a minor at the time of the alleged abuse.

(5)      "SERIOUS SEVERE PHYSICAL INJURY' MEANS:
(I) ANY BONE FRACTURE;

(II) ANY INTERNAL INJURY OR BLEEDING;
(III) SECOND OR THIRD DEGREE BURNS;
(IV) POISONING;

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