# Family Law (GFL)

## Title 4. Spouses

### Subtitle 5. Domestic Violence

#### Section 4-503

(a) A law enforcement officer who responds to a request for help under Sec. 4-502 of this Part I of this subtitle shall give the victim a written notice that:

  (1) includes the telephone number of a local domestic violence program that receives funding from the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy; and

  (2) states that:

    (i) the victim may request that a District Court commissioner file a criminal charging document against the alleged abuser;

    (ii) if the commissioner declines to charge the alleged abuser, the victim may request that the State's Attorney file a criminal charging document against the alleged abuser;

    (iii) the victim may file in the District Court or a circuit court or, when neither the office of the clerk of the circuit court nor the Office of the District Court Clerk is open, with a commissioner, a petition under this subtitle; and

    (iv) the victim may obtain a copy of the incident report, as provided under Sec. 4-503.1 of this Part I of this subtitle.

(b) A law enforcement officer may not be held liable in a civil action that arises from the officer's failure to provide the notice required under subsection (a) of this section.

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Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)