Maryland § 5-707

§ 5-707.

    (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.