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§ 14-303. Investigation

West's Annotated Code of MarylandFamily LawEffective: October 1, 2022

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
Family Law (Refs & Annos)
Title 14. Adult Protective Services (Refs & Annos)
Subtitle 3. Investigation Provisions (Refs & Annos)
Effective: October 1, 2022
MD Code, Family Law, § 14-303
§ 14-303. Investigation
Currentness
Start of investigation
(a) To protect the welfare of the alleged vulnerable adult the local department shall begin a thorough investigation:
(1) within 5 working days after the receipt of the report of suspected abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation; or
(2) within 24 hours after the receipt of the report of suspected abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation if the report indicates that an emergency exists.
Purpose of investigation
(b) The investigation shall include:
(1) a determination of whether:
(i) the individual is a vulnerable adult; and
(ii) there has been abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation; and
(2) if the individual is determined to be a vulnerable adult and to have suffered abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation:
(i) a determination of the nature, extent, and cause of the abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation;
(ii) a determination of the identity of the person or persons responsible for the abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation;
(iii) an evaluation of the home environment; and
(iv) a determination of any other pertinent facts.
Assistance with investigation
(c)(1) On request by the local department, the local State's Attorney or the appropriate law enforcement agency shall assist in the investigation.
(2) As appropriate, the local office on aging or the Department of Aging, local geriatric evaluation service, or any other public or private agency, including a fiduciary institution, providing services or care to the alleged vulnerable adult or whose information or expertise may be of assistance in assessing risk or planning services may assist in the investigation on the request by the local department.
(3) Any agencies set out in this subsection may jointly agree to cooperative arrangements for investigation.
Completion of investigation
(d) An investigation under this section shall be completed within:
(1) 60 days; or
(2) 10 days if the report indicates that an emergency exists.
Sharing information
(e) Parties participating in an investigation may share pertinent client information relevant to the investigation.

Credits

Added by Acts 1985, c. 148, § 2, eff. July 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1989, c. 308, § 1, eff. July 1, 1989; Acts 2017, c. 605, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2017; Acts 2022, c. 227, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2022.
MD Code, Family Law, § 14-303, MD FAMILY § 14-303
Current through legislation effective through April 9, 2023, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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