1. (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. (1) procedures for protecting the confidentiality of reports and records made in accordance with this subtitle;
   2. (2) conditions under which information may be released;
   3. (3) conditions for determining in cases whether abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse is indicated, ruled out, or unsubstantiated; and
   4. (4) procedures for the appeal processes provided in this subtitle.

2. (b)

   1. (1) The local department shall expunge a report of suspected abuse or neglect and all assessments and investigative findings:

      1. (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
      2. (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. (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.

Added by Acts 1987, c. 635, § 2, eff. July 1, 1988. Amended by Acts 1991, c. 461, § 1, eff. July 1, 1991; Acts 1993, c. 318, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1993; Acts 1999, c. 214, § 1, eff. June 1, 1999; Acts 2003, c. 308, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2003; Acts 2016, c. 152, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2016.