2013 Maryland Code
FAMILY LAW
§ 4-704 - Purpose

§4-704.

(a) The purpose of a local team is to prevent deaths related to domestic violence by:

(1) promoting cooperation and coordination among agencies involved in:

(i) investigating deaths related to domestic violence; or

(ii) providing services to victims of domestic violence, abusers, or surviving family members;

(2) developing an understanding of the causes and incidence of deaths related to domestic violence in the county; and

(3) developing plans for and recommending changes within the agencies the members represent.

(b) To achieve its purpose, a local team shall:

(1) establish and implement a protocol for the local team;

(2) as provided in subsection (c) of this section, review fatalities and cases of serious physical injury related to domestic violence that have occurred in the county;

(3) meet on a regular basis as determined by the local team, at least annually, to:

(i) review the status of domestic violence fatality cases in the county;

(ii) recommend actions to improve coordination of services and investigations among member agencies; and

(iii) recommend actions within the member agencies to prevent deaths related to domestic violence; and

(4) provide reports that include recommendations:

(i) to improve coordination of services and investigations;

(ii) to implement changes recommended by the local team within member agencies; and

(iii) on needed changes to State and local law, policy, and practice to prevent deaths related to domestic violence.

(c) (1) In accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection, a local team shall determine the number and types of cases the team will review.

(2) A local team may review criminal cases only at the conclusion of the case in trial court or after the investigation of a suicide has been closed.