Section 5-7A-01 – Established
(a) There is a State Council on Child Abuse and Neglect. (b) The Council is part of the Department of Human Services for budgetary and administrative purposes.
Section 5-7A-02 – Membership
(a) The Council consists of up to 23 members including: (1) one member of the Senate of Maryland appointed by the President of the Senate; (2) one member of the House of Delegates appointed by the Speaker of the House; (3) a representative of the Department of Human Services, appointed by the Secretary of Human Services; (4) a representative of […]
Section 5-7A-03 – Chairperson
The Governor shall select a chairperson from among the members of the Council.
Section 5-7A-04 – Council Operations
(a) The Council shall meet not less than once every 3 months. (b) Members of the Council shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with the Standard State Travel Regulations and as provided in the State budget. (c) The Council may employ a staff in […]
Section 5-7A-05 – Committee
(a) The Council shall operate with one standing committee. (b) The federal Children’s Justice Act Committee is established in accordance with the requirements of the federal Children’s Justice Act, Public Law 100–294. It shall review and evaluate State investigative, administrative, and judicial handling of child abuse and neglect cases, and make policy and training recommendations to improve […]
Section 5-7A-06 – Duties
(a) In addition to any duties set forth elsewhere, the Council shall, by examining the policies and procedures of State and local agencies and specific cases that the Council considers necessary to perform its duties under this section, evaluate the extent to which State and local agencies are effectively discharging their child protection responsibilities in accordance […]
Section 5-7A-07 – Protection of Privacy Rules
(a) The members and staff of the Council: (1) may not disclose to any person or government official any identifying information about any specific child protection case about which the Council is provided information; and (2) may make public other information unless prohibited by law. (b) In addition to any other penalties provided by law, the Secretary of Human […]
Section 5-7A-08 – Relations With State and Local Government
A unit of State or local government shall provide any information that the Council requests to carry out the Council’s duties under § 5-7A-06 of this subtitle.
Section 5-7A-09 – Annual Reports
(a) The Council shall report and make recommendations annually to the Governor and the General Assembly on matters relating to the prevention, detection, prosecution, and treatment of child abuse and neglect, including policy and training needs that require the attention and action of the Governor or the General Assembly. (b) The Council shall annually prepare and make […]