1. A. An operator, employee, substitute, or volunteer who has reason to believe that a child has been:

   1. (1) Abused, in the center or outside of the center, shall report that belief directly to the protective services unit of the local department or to a law enforcement agency, as required under Maryland law;
   2. (2) Neglected, in the center or outside of the center, shall report that belief directly to the protective services unit of the local department as required under Maryland law.
2. B. If a child has been subjected to injurious treatment, it shall be reported to the office.

3. C. An operator shall:

   1. (1) Instruct the staff to monitor all children daily for signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect;
   2. (2) Instruct staff about their legal obligations to report suspected child abuse or neglect directly to the local department or the appropriate law enforcement agency; and
   3. (3) Post, near each telephone in the facility, the telephone numbers of the Child Protective Services unit of the local department and the appropriate law enforcement agency.
4. D. An operator may not require an employee, substitute, or volunteer to report through the operator or director, rather than directly to the local department or a law enforcement agency, when the employee has reason to believe that a child has been abused or neglected.

Authority: Education Article, §§9.5-401, 9.5-404—9.5-411 and 9.5-413—9.5-418; General Provisions Article, §4-333;
Human Services Article, §1-202; Annotated Code of Maryland
Agency Note: Federal Statutory Reference — Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq.);
Pro-Children Act of 1994 (20 U.S.C. §6081 et seq.);
Child Care Development Block Grant (45 CFR Parts 98 and 99 and 42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.);
Social Security Act §418 (42 U.S.C. 618)

Effective date: October 20, 2008 (35:21 Md. R. 1826)

Regulation .02A, D amended effective January 13, 2020 (47:1 Md. R. 14)

Regulation .03B, C amended effective January 13, 2020 (47:1 Md. R. 14)

Regulation .06C, D amended effective January 23, 2012 (39:1 Md. R. 20); January 13, 2020 (47:1 Md. R. 14)

Regulation .06D amended effective April 19, 2010 (37:8 Md. R. 618)