Chapter 01. Domestic Violence Program

In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

Terms Defined.

A victim of domestic violence who is a resident of Maryland and any children are eligible for shelter services from a program.

A victim of domestic violence and any immediate family are eligible for nonshelter services from a program.

A victim of domestic violence or a batterer may apply directly to a program for service, or be referred from another source.

Program staff shall assess the application and determine whether services are available and appropriate for the applicant. When the program is at capacity or when the service is not appropriate to the applicant's needs, the staff shall refer the applicant to other appropriate resources.

For the applicant who is accepted for shelter services, staff shall explain the services available and obtain the applicant's written agreement to abide by the shelter rules.

Within the first 3 working days from the date of admission to a shelter, staff, with the applicant, shall develop and begin to implement a written comprehensive service plan.

The program shall include the following services:

The program may include the following services:

The program may offer education and training to the community.

The program shall terminate services when:

Residence in the shelter may not continue beyond 2 months unless a reevaluation of the service plan confirms that continuing residency is required and the shelter has available space.

The shelter shall have available:

The shelter shall meet the physical requirements of applicable State and local fire codes and applicable State and local health codes.

The program shall make available to the Office upon request a copy of the shelter rules, including the grievance procedure.

Professional, paraprofessional staff and volunteers shall be trained to provide crisis intervention and continuing counseling and supportive services.

Paraprofessional staff and volunteers shall have experience in interviewing persons under stress and shall be supervised by professional staff.

Fiscal Recording. The program shall:

Case Record. For each:

The program is responsible for compilation and transmittal of statistical data as required by the Office.

The program shall retain all records for a period of 3 years following the completion of services.

The program may not disclose any identifying information regarding an applicant or recipient of service to any agency or individual without written authorization from the applicant or recipient except:

The program shall maintain all written records regarding applicants and recipients of service in a securely locked location.

The program shall make available to any applicant or recipient of service aggrieved by a decision, action, or inaction of the program, a procedure by which the grievance may be heard. The procedure shall include a notice of the grievance rights and the steps to take to initiate the grievance process, an opportunity to be heard, and a written decision by the program director or the director's designee that affirms or reverses the program's action. The written determination shall include the basis for the decision.

The program shall make available to the Office upon request a summary of each decision rendered, including findings of fact concerning each grievance heard.