ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                             Ch. 308

REPORT PREVIOUSLY HAS BEEN MADE TO THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY IN THE
STATE IN MUCH THE CHILD LIVES, THE PERSON IS NOT REQUIRED TO REPORT THE
ABUSE.

(D) (E) (D) PROMPTLY AFTER RECEIVING A REPORT OF SUSPECTED ABUSE
OR NEGLECT OR NEGLECT UNDER THIS SECTION, THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT SHALL
FORWARD THE REPORT TO THE APPROPRIATE AGENCY OUTSIDE OF THIS STATE
THAT IS AUTHORIZED TO RECEIVE AND INVESTIGATE REPORTS OF SUSPECTED
ABUSE OR NEGLECT OR NEGLECT.

5-706.

(a)     Promptly after receiving a report of suspected abuse or neglect OF A CHILD
WHO LIVES IN THIS STATE THAT IS ALLEGED TO HAVE OCCURRED IN THIS STATE:

(1)     the local department or the appropriate law enforcement agency, or
both, if jointly agreed on, shall make a thorough investigation of a report of suspected
abuse to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the child or children; or

(2)     the local department shall make a thorough investigation of a report
of suspected neglect to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the child or children.

(b)     Within 24 hours after receiving a report of suspected physical or sexual
abuse OF A CHILD WHO LIVES IN THIS STATE THAT IS ALLEGED TO HAVE OCCURRED
IN THIS STATE, and within 5 days after receiving a report of suspected neglect or
suspected mental injury OF A CHILD WHO LIVES IN THIS STATE THAT IS ALLEGED TO
HAVE OCCURRED IN THIS STATE, the local department or the appropriate law
enforcement agency shall:

(1)     see the child;

(2)     attempt to have an on-site interview with the child's caretaker;

(3)     decide on the safety of the child, wherever the child is, and of other
children in the household; and

(4)     decide on the safety of other children in the care or custody of the
alleged abuser.

(c)     The investigation UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION shall include:

(1)     a determination of the nature, extent, and cause of the abuse or
neglect, if any;

(2)     if mental injury is suspected, an assessment by two of the following:

(i) a licensed physician, as defined in § 14-101 of the Health
Occupations Article;

(ii) a licensed psychologist, as defined in §18-101 of the Health
Occupations Article; or

(iii) a licensed social worker, as defined in § 19-101 of the Health
Occupations Article; and

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