{"id":373813,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:26","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-child-abuse-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-03-22T11:48:17","modified_gmt":"2018-03-22T16:48:17","slug":"maryland-child-abuse-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-child-abuse-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Maryland Child Abuse Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Maryland Child Abuse Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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Maryland’s child abuse statutes make it illegal to physically, emotionally, or sexually abuse minors. Under Maryland law, certain third parties and professionals with access to children (such as teachers and pediatricians) are required to report any knowledge or suspicion of abuse to the authorities. In addition, Maryland Child Protective Services<\/a> coordinates statewide efforts to curb child abuse and states that "reporting child abuse is everyone’s responsibility."<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that child abuse laws<\/a> can vary from state to state. The following table touches on the basics of Indiana child abuse statutes.<\/p>\n\n
Code Section<\/td>\nFamily Law \u00a75-701<\/a>, et seq.<\/td>\n<\/tr>
What Constitutes Abuse<\/td>\nPhysical or mental injury of a child under circumstances that indicate the child’s health or welfare is harmed or at substantial risk of being harmed; sexual abuse<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Mandatory Reporting Required By<\/td>\nAll health practitioners, police officers, educators, human service workers. Any other person, if notification does not violate privilege or confidentiality<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Basis of Report of Abuse\/neglect<\/td>\nReason to believe a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect<\/td>\n<\/tr>
To Whom Reported<\/td>\nSocial Services Administration of the department or appropriate law enforcement agency<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Penalty for Failure to Report or False Reporting<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n

Child abuse laws aim to balance the protection of children from serious harm with a parent\u2019s interest in raising and disciplining their children as they see fit. Acts that constitute child abuse are more common in the United States than most people realize: every year, there are more than 3 million reports of child abuse, involving almost 6 million children. Every day, four or five children are killed by child abuse or neglect.<\/p>\n

A child may be experiencing physical abuse if he or she:
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