Section 5-709 – Temporary Removal of Child From Home Without Court Approval
(a) If a representative of a local department is conducting an investigation under this subtitle, the representative may enter the household, if the representative: (1) previously has been denied the right of entry; and (2) has probable cause to believe that a child is in serious, immediate danger. (b) A police officer shall accompany the representative and may use […]
Section 5-704.2 – Reporting Substance-Exposed Newborns
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) “Controlled drug” means a controlled dangerous substance included in Schedule I, Schedule II, Schedule III, Schedule IV, or Schedule V under Title 5, Subtitle 4 of the Criminal Law Article. (3) “Health care practitioner” has the meaning stated in § 1–301 of the Health Occupations Article. […]
Section 5-710 – Actions by Local Department and State’s Attorney’s Office
(a) Based on its findings and treatment plan, the local department shall render the appropriate services in the best interests of the child, including, when indicated, petitioning the juvenile court on behalf of the child for appropriate relief, including the added protection to the child that either commitment or custody would provide. (b) (1) Promptly after receiving a […]
Section 5-704.3 – Referral of Child Who Is a Suspected Victim of Sex Trafficking
A local department that receives a report of suspected abuse or neglect under this subtitle involving a child who is a suspected victim of sex trafficking shall refer the child to any appropriate regional navigator, as defined in § 5–704.4 of this subtitle, for the jurisdiction where the trafficking occurred or where the child is […]
Section 5-704.4 – Safe Harbor Regional Navigator Grant Program
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) “Child advocacy center” has the meaning stated in § 13–2201 of the Health – General Article. (3) “Executive Director” means the Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. (4) “Qualified community–based victim services provider” means a nonprofit organization with: (i) demonstrated expertise […]
Section 5-705 – Reporting of Abuse or Neglect — by Other Persons
(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, notwithstanding any other provision of law, including a law on privileged communications, a person in this State other than a health practitioner, police officer, or educator or human service worker who has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or […]
Section 5-705.1 – Reporting of Abuse or Neglect — to Local Department of Social Services
(a) In this section, “local department” means a department of social services for a county in this State. (b) The following provisions of this subtitle shall apply to the reporting of suspected abuse or neglect under this section: (1) except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, the definitions set forth in § 5-701 […]
Section 5-705.2 – Preventing or Interfering With Report of Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect Prohibited
(a) An individual may not intentionally prevent or interfere with the making of a report of suspected abuse or neglect required by § 5–704 or § 5–705.1(c)(2) of this subtitle. (b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not […]
Section 5-705.3 – Notifications Where Report Concerns Family Child Care Home, Large Family Child Care Home, or Child Care Center
In addition to any other provision of law relating to child abuse and neglect, a local department that receives a report of suspected child abuse under § 5–704 or § 5–705 of this subtitle shall notify the State Superintendent of Schools’ designee within 48 hours if the report concerns: (1) a family child care home or […]
Section 5-705.4 – Failure to Report Suspected Abuse or Neglect
If an agency participating in an investigation under § 5–706 of this subtitle has substantial grounds to believe that a person has knowingly failed to report suspected abuse or neglect as required by § 5–704 of this subtitle, the agency shall: (1) file a complaint with the appropriate licensing board in accordance with the provisions of […]