# Family Law (GFL)

## Title 4. Spouses

### Subtitle 7. Local Domestic Violence Fatality Review Teams

#### Section 4-704

(a) The purpose of a local team is to prevent deaths related to domestic violence by:

  (1) promoting cooperation and coordination among agencies involved in:

    (i) investigating deaths related to domestic violence; or

    (ii) providing services to victims of domestic violence, abusers, or surviving family members;

  (2) developing an understanding of the causes and incidence of deaths related to domestic violence in the county; and

  (3) developing plans for and recommending changes within the agencies the members represent.

(b) To achieve its purpose, a local team shall:

  (1) establish and implement a protocol for the local team;

  (2) as provided in subsection (c) of this section, review fatalities and cases of serious physical injury related to domestic violence that have occurred in the county;

  (3) meet on a regular basis as determined by the local team, at least annually, to:

    (i) review the status of domestic violence fatality cases in the county;

    (ii) recommend actions to improve coordination of services and investigations among member agencies; and

    (iii) recommend actions within the member agencies to prevent deaths related to domestic violence; and

  (4) provide reports that include recommendations:

    (i) to improve coordination of services and investigations;

    (ii) to implement changes recommended by the local team within member agencies; and

    (iii) on needed changes to State and local law, policy, and practice to prevent deaths related to domestic violence.

(c)

  (1) In accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection, a local team shall determine the number and types of cases the team will review.

  (2) A local team may review criminal cases only at the conclusion of the case in trial court or after the investigation of a suicide has been closed.

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