(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including any law on privileged communications, each health practitioner, police officer, educator, or human service worker, acting in a professional capacity in this State:
(1) who has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect, shall notify the local department or the appropriate law enforcement agency; 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 to the local department or appropriate law enforcement agency; 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.
(2) (i) An agency to which an oral report of suspected abuse or neglect 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
(5) any other information that would help to determine:
(i) the cause of the suspected abuse or neglect; and
(ii) the identity of any individual responsible for the abuse or neglect.
Structure Maryland Statutes
Subtitle 7 - Child Abuse and Neglect
Section 5-702 - Legislative Policy
Section 5-703 - Scope and Applicability of Subtitle
Section 5-704.2 - Reporting Substance-Exposed Newborns
Section 5-704.3 - Referral of Child Who Is a Suspected Victim of Sex Trafficking
Section 5-704.4 - Safe Harbor Regional Navigator Grant Program
Section 5-705 - Reporting of Abuse or Neglect -- by Other Persons
Section 5-705.1 - Reporting of Abuse or Neglect -- to Local Department of Social Services
Section 5-705.4 - Failure to Report Suspected Abuse or Neglect
Section 5-706.2 - Reporting That Child Is at Substantial Risk of Sexual Abuse
Section 5-706.3 - Intervention
Section 5-707 - Reports and Records
Section 5-708 - Immunity of Person Making Report
Section 5-709 - Temporary Removal of Child From Home Without Court Approval
Section 5-710 - Actions by Local Department and State's Attorney's Office
Section 5-711 - Access to Child's Medical Records
Section 5-712 - Examination and Treatment of Abused or Neglected Child by Physician
Section 5-712.1 - Providing Information to Health Care Practitioners
Section 5-713 - Supervision and Monitoring of Household After Child's Return
Section 5-714 - Child Abuse or Neglect Centralized Confidential Database -- in General
Section 5-716 - Online Course for Mandatory Reporter Training