MD SB484

Reports of child abuse and neglect must be submitted to the Maryland Department of Human Services instead of to local departments of social services or law enforcement agencies

The Department of Human Services must establish and maintain a centralized intake system to record all reports, assess their validity, and assign them to the appropriate local department for investigation

Mandatory reporters (health practitioners, police officers, educators, and human service workers) must submit oral reports to the Department as soon as possible, followed by written reports within 48 hours with a copy to the local State's Attorney

Local departments retain responsibility for conducting investigations after receiving assignments from the centralized system, including seeing children within 24 hours for physical/sexual abuse reports or within 5 days for neglect reports

The Act takes effect October 1, 2026