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

(h) Within 10 days after the local department or law enforcement agency
receives the first notice of suspected abuse OF A CHILD WHO LIVES IN THIS STATE
THAT IS ALLEGED TO HAVE OCCURRED IN THIS STATE, the local department or law
enforcement agency shall report to the local State's Attorney the preliminary findings
of the investigation.

(i) Within 5 business days after completion of the investigation of suspected
abuse OF A CHILD WHO LIVES IN THIS STATE THAT IS ALLEGED TO HAVE OCCURRED
IN THIS STATE, the local department and the appropriate law enforcement agency, if
that agency participated in the investigation, shall make a complete written report of
its findings to the local State's Attorney.

(J) PROMPTLY AFTER RECEIVING A REPORT OF SUSPECTED ABUSE OR
NEGLECT OF A CHILD WHO LIVES IN THIS STATE THAT IS ALLEGED TO HAVE
OCCURRED OUTSIDE OF THIS STATE, THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT SHALL:

(1)      FORWARD THE REPORT TO THE APPROPRIATE AGENCY OUTSIDE OF
THIS STATE THAT IS AUTHORIZED TO RECEIVE AND INVESTIGATE REPORTS OF
SUSPECTED ABUSE OR NEGLECT;

(2)      COOPERATE TO THE EXTENT REQUESTED WITH THE OUT-OF-STATE
AGENCY INVESTIGATING THE REPORT; AND

(3)      IF DETERMINED APPROPRIATE BY THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT:

(I)      INTERVIEW THE CHILD TO ASSESS WHETHER THE CHILD IS
SAFE; AND

(II)     PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE CHILD AND THE CHILD'S FAMILY.

5-707.

(a) Subject to federal and State law, the Administration shall provide by
regulation adopted in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 1 of the State Government
Article:

(1)     procedures for protecting the confidentiality of reports and records
made in accordance with this subtitle;

(2)     conditions under which information may be released;

(3)     conditions for determining in cases whether abuse, neglect, or sexual
abuse is indicated, ruled out, or unsubstantiated; and

(4)     procedures for the appeal processes provided in this subtitle.

5-708.

Any person who makes or participates in making a report of abuse or neglect
under § 5-704 [or], § 5-705, OR § 5-705.1 of this subtitle or participates in an
investigation or a resulting judicial proceeding shall have the immunity described
under § 5-620 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article from civil liability or
criminal penalty.

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