Ch. 308

2003 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(1)     (i) who has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to
abuse, shall notify the local department or the appropriate law enforcement agency;
or

(ii) who has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to
neglect, shall notify the local department; and

(2)     if acting as a staff member of a hospital, public health agency, child
care institution, juvenile detention center, school, or similar institution, shall
immediately notify and give all information required by this section to the head of the
institution or the designee of the head.

(b)     (1) An individual who notifies the appropriate authorities under
subsection (a) of this section shall make:

(i) an oral report, by telephone or direct communication, as soon as
possible:

1.       to the local department or appropriate law enforcement
agency if the person has reason to believe that the child has been subjected to abuse;
or

2.       to the local department if the person has reason to believe
that the child has been subjected to neglect; and

(ii) a written report:

1.       to the local department not later than 48 hours after the
contact, examination, attention, or treatment that caused the individual to believe
that the child had been subjected to abuse or neglect; and

2.       with a copy to the local State's Attorney if the individual
has reason to believe that the child has been subjected to abuse.

(2) (i) An agency to which an oral report of suspected abuse is made
under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall immediately notify the other agency.

(ii) This paragraph does not prohibit a local department and an
appropriate law enforcement agency, from agreeing to cooperative arrangements.

(c)      Insofar as is reasonably possible, an individual who makes a report under
this section shall include in the report the following information:

(1)     the name, age, and home address of the child;

(2)     the name and home address of the child's parent or other person who
is responsible for the child's care;

(3)     the whereabouts of the child;

(4)     the nature and extent of the abuse or neglect of the child, including
any evidence or information available to the reporter concerning possible previous
instances of abuse or neglect; and

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