<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".18" citation="COMAR 07.02.07.18" title_num="07" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="07" heading="The Record.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Until expunged in accordance with Regulation .19 of this chapter, the local department shall maintain:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Every report of suspected child abuse or neglect; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A case record of a CPS Response.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The case record shall include:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Materials obtained in the CPS response, including but not limited to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The written report of suspected child abuse or neglect;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Recordings of interviews conducted by the local department, child advocacy center or, in a joint investigation, by law enforcement during the CPS response; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Medical records, law enforcement reports and photographs, correspondence, consents, court orders, court reports, and all other documents obtained during the CPS response;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Documentation of the local department's CPS response including:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Notes of contacts and interviews, including handwritten notes;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The names, addresses, and telephone numbers if available, of the parents, guardians, identified relatives, and other significant individuals related to the CPS response;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>A written narrative of the CPS response;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Safety and risk assessments and other documentation of the safety of the alleged victim and of the other children in the household and the risk of future maltreatment;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>The need for ongoing services and linkage to services; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>In an investigation:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>A closing letter to the victim’s parents or guardians documenting the reason for and the outcome of the investigation; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>A notice of a finding and the right to appeal to the alleged maltreator; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>In an alternative response, a written report provided to the family members;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>If a local department provides child welfare services other than child protective services after completion of a CPS response, the local department's files related to the child welfare services shall be kept with but not as a part of the CPS response record.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>