Terms Used In Maryland Code, FAMILY LAW 5-707

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • state: means :

    (1) a state, possession, territory, or commonwealth of the United States; or

    (2) the District of Columbia. See
(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.