There is a State Council on Child Abuse and Neglect. The Council is part of the Department of Human Services for budgetary and administrative purposes.

The Council consists of up to 23 members including: one member of the Senate of Maryland appointed by the President of the Senate; one member of the House of Delegates appointed by the Speaker of the House; a representative of the Department of Human Services, appointed by the Secretary of Human Services; a representative of the Maryland Department of Health, appointed by the Secretary of Health; a representative of the Maryland State Department of Education, designated by the Superintendent; a representative of the Department of Juvenile Services, designated by the Secretary; a representative of the Judicial Branch, designated by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Maryland; a representative of the State’s Attorneys’ Association, designated by the Association; a pediatrician with experience in diagnosing and treating injuries and child abuse and neglect, who shall be appointed by the Governor from a list submitted by the Maryland chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics; members of the general public with interest or expertise in the prevention or treatment of child abuse and neglect who shall be appointed by the Governor and who shall include representatives from professional and advocacy groups, private social service agencies, and the medical, law enforcement, education, and religious communities; and at least two individuals who have personal experience with child abuse and neglect within their own families or who have been clients of the child protective services system who shall be appointed by the Governor. The term of a member appointed under subsection (a)(9), (10), or (11) of this section is 3 years. An appointed member may serve up to two consecutive 3–year terms. In case of a vacancy, the Governor shall appoint a successor for the remainder of the unexpired term. All other members of the Council shall continue in office so long as they hold the required qualification and designation specified in subsection (a)(1) through (8) of this section.

The Governor shall select a chairperson from among the members of the Council.

The Council shall meet not less than once every 3 months. Members of the Council shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with the Standard State Travel Regulations and as provided in the State budget. The Council may employ a staff in accordance with the State budget.

The Council shall operate with one standing committee. The federal Children’s Justice Act Committee is established in accordance with the requirements of the federal Children’s Justice Act, Public Law 100–294. It shall review and evaluate State investigative, administrative, and judicial handling of child abuse and neglect cases, and make policy and training recommendations to improve system response and intervention. The Committee shall include representatives of the State judiciary with criminal and civil trial court docket experience, law enforcement agencies, the Maryland Public Defender’s Office, State’s Attorneys, the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program, health and mental health professions, child protective services programs, programs that serve children with disabilities, parent groups, and attorneys who represent children. In addition to the Children’s Justice Act Committee, the Council may establish other ad hoc committees as necessary to carry out the work of the Council.

In addition to any duties set forth elsewhere, the Council shall, by examining the policies and procedures of State and local agencies and specific cases that the Council considers necessary to perform its duties under this section, evaluate the extent to which State and local agencies are effectively discharging their child protection responsibilities in accordance with: the State plan under 42 U.S.C. § 5106a(b); the child protection standards set forth in 42 U.S.C. § 5106a(b); and any other criteria that the Council considers important to ensure the protection of children, including: a review of the extent to which the State child protective services system is coordinated with the foster care and adoption program established under Part E of Title IV of the Social Security Act; and a review of child fatalities and near fatalities. The Council may request that a local citizens review panel established under § 5–539.2 of this title conduct a review under this section and report its findings to the Council. The Council shall coordinate its activities under this section with the State Citizens Review Board for Children, local citizens review panels, the child fatality review teams, and the Child Abuse Medical Providers (Maryland CHAMP) Initiative in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort. The chairperson of the Council may designate members of the Children’s Justice Act Committee as special members of the Council for the purpose of carrying out the duties set forth in this section.

The members and staff of the Council: may not disclose to any person or government official any identifying information about any specific child protection case about which the Council is provided information; and may make public other information unless prohibited by law. In addition to any other penalties provided by law, the Secretary of Human Services may impose on any person who violates subsection (a) of this section a civil penalty not exceeding $500 for each violation.

A unit of State or local government shall provide any information that the Council requests to carry out the Council’s duties under § 5-7A-06 of this subtitle.

The Council shall report and make recommendations annually to the Governor and the General Assembly on: activities of the Maryland CHAMP Initiative established under Title 13, Subtitle 22 of the Health – General Article, including data collected on child abuse and neglect diagnoses and treatment; and matters relating to the prevention, detection, prosecution, and treatment of child abuse and neglect, including policy and training needs that require the attention and action of the Governor or the General Assembly. The Council shall annually prepare and make available to the public a report containing a summary of its activities under § 5–7A–05 of this subtitle.