MD HB1209

Local directors or the Secretary of Human Services must disclose child abuse and neglect reports within 30 days of a request when a child was in state custody or foster care, was subject to an investigation or complaint, and suffered a fatality or near fatality

Disclosure is limited to actions or omissions of the local department, Department of Human Services, or its agents

The Secretary must promptly notify the State's Attorney's office of disclosure requests, and the office has 30 days to redact information that would seriously hinder prosecution of related criminal cases

If the State's Attorney redacts information, they must notify the local director or Secretary within 10 days after the related investigation or prosecution concludes, triggering a 30-day deadline to disclose the information

Effective October 1, 2025