2013 Maryland Code
FAMILY LAW
§ 5-556 - Child abuse

§5-556.

(a) 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 title that concerns a family child care home or large family child care home shall notify the State Superintendent’s designee within 48 hours.

(b) Upon receipt of the notification required under subsection (a) of this section, the State Superintendent’s designee shall convene, either in person or by telephone, a multidisciplinary team to coordinate procedures in accordance with the agreement developed under § 5-706(f) of this title to be followed in investigating and otherwise responding to the report.

(c) The multidisciplinary team shall be chaired by the State Superintendent’s designee and shall include:

(1) representatives of the local department and law enforcement agency that are investigating the report under § 5-706 of this title;

(2) representation from the office of the local State’s Attorney; and

(3) appropriate medical, including mental health, expertise.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the members of the multidisciplinary team shall share information necessary to carry out the team’s responsibility under this section.

(e) Any information shared by the multidisciplinary team shall be confidential and may be disclosed only in accordance with the provisions of §§ 1-201, 1-202, 1-204, and 1-205 of the Human Services Article.

(f) Upon request, the Department of State Police shall provide technical assistance to a local law enforcement agency which is investigating a report of suspected child abuse concerning a family child care home or large family child care home.

§ 5-556 - 1. Lead poisoning screen

Within 30 days after a child under the age of 6 years enters care in a family child care home or large family child care home, a parent or guardian of the child shall provide to the family child care home or large family child care home evidence of an appropriate screening for lead poisoning. This evidence may include documentation from the child's continuing care health care provider that the child was screened through an initial questionnaire and was determined not to be at risk for lead poisoning.