Child Abuse and Neglect – Disclosure of Reports and Records

SB 447 expands who can receive child abuse and neglect reports from Maryland's Department of Human Services, specifically allowing disclosure to school officials, child care providers, university administrators, and juvenile justice staff when they need the information to protect children. It permits schools to access reports for disciplinary actions involving staff or contractors who work with students, and child care facilities to assess employee suitability. The bill also adds the Juvenile Justice Monitoring Unit and higher education institutions to permitted recipients for on-campus child-related incidents. All disclosures must include safeguards to protect the identity of reporters and others at risk of harm.