2021 Maryland Statutes
Family Law
Title 5 - Children
Subtitle 7 - Child Abuse and Neglect
Section 5-707 - Reports and Records
(a) Subject to federal and State law, the Administration shall provide by regulation adopted in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 1 of the State Government Article:
(1) procedures for protecting the confidentiality of reports and records made in accordance with this subtitle;
(2) conditions under which information may be released;
(3) conditions for determining in cases whether abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse is indicated, ruled out, or unsubstantiated; and
(4) procedures for the appeal processes provided in this subtitle.
(b) (1) The local department shall expunge a report of suspected abuse or neglect and all assessments and investigative findings:
(i) within 5 years after the date of referral if the investigation under § 5–706 of this subtitle concludes that the report is unsubstantiated, and no further reports of abuse or neglect are received during the 5 years; and
(ii) subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, within 2 years after the date of referral if the report is ruled out, and no further reports of abuse or neglect are received during the 2 years.
(2) If a report is ruled out, the local department may, on good cause shown, immediately expunge the report and all assessments and investigative findings.
