1. (a) There is a Child Abuse Medical Providers (Maryland CHAMP) Initiative in the Department.

2. (b) The purposes of the Initiative are:

   1. (1) To improve the protection of children in the State;
   2. (2) To recruit local physicians to gain clinical expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of child abuse and neglect;
   3. (3) To develop and guide the practice of local or regional multidisciplinary teams to improve the medical assessment and treatment of children who are the subject of a child abuse or neglect investigation or a child in need of assistance;
   4. (4) To facilitate the appropriate prosecution of criminal child abuse and neglect; and
   5. (5) To provide expert consultation and training to local or regional multidisciplinary teams in the diagnosis and treatment of physical child abuse and neglect and sexual abuse through teleconferencing and on-site services.

Added by Acts 2005, c. 334, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2005. Amended by Acts 2008, c. 91, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2008.