Maryland Family Law Section 5-702

      The purpose of this subtitle is to protect children who have been the subject of abuse or neglect by:

            (1)      mandating the reporting of any suspected abuse or neglect;

            (2)      giving immunity to any individual who reports, in good faith, a suspected incident of abuse or neglect;

            (3)      requiring prompt investigation of each reported suspected incident of abuse or neglect;

            (4)      causing immediate, cooperative efforts by the responsible agencies on behalf of children who have been the subject of reports of abuse or neglect; and

            (5)      requiring each local department to give the appropriate service in the best interest of the abused or neglected child.