MARYLAND EDUCATION CODE

RULE 5440
Child Abuse and Neglect
Section I.A.
The physical or mental injury of a child (under 18) by any parent

Section II
REPORTING
Any person who has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse, on or off school property by a parent shall notify DSS or the appropriate law enforcement agency as soon as possible.

Sectrion III
PENALTY
Any employee, volunteer, student teacher, or student intern who knowingly fails to report suspected child abuse or neglect is subject to suspension or dismissal and/or revocation of Maryland certificate issued by the Maryland State Department of Education and/or Maryland license to practice issued by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Section IV
IMMUNITY
Any employee, volunteer, student teacher, or student intern who, in good faith, participates in the making of a report or the investigation of child abuse or neglect, or in any judicial proceedings is immune from any civil liability or
criminal penalty.

Section VIII
CONFIDENTIALITY
Child abuse and/or neglect reports and records shall not be placed in the
student's school record. All child abuse and/or neglect referrals or reports
shall be kept in a separate file in the principal's office until the time the
student turns twenty-four (24).

Legal References:
Annotated Code of Maryland, Family Law
Annotated Code of Maryland, Education
CONFIDENTIALITY