<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".23" citation="COMAR 07.02.07.23" title_num="07" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="07" heading="Development of Procedures for Joint Investigations.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>To facilitate the investigation and prosecution of cases of alleged child abuse or neglect, the local department shall enter into a collaborative written agreement pursuant to Family Law Article, §5-706(f), Annotated Code of Maryland, with:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Appropriate law enforcement agencies;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The State's Attorney's office;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Office of Child Care’s regional manager;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The local health officer; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The local child advocacy center.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Joint Investigation of Child Sexual Abuse Allegations.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>To facilitate the investigation of alleged child sexual abuse, the local department shall enter into a collaborative written agreement pursuant to Family Law Article, §5-706(g), Annotated Code of Maryland, with the appropriate law enforcement agencies, child advocacy center, and the State’s Attorney’s office to establish joint investigation procedures.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Joint investigation procedures shall include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Using appropriate techniques for expediting investigation of sexual abuse complaints;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Establishing an ongoing training program for personnel involved in the investigation or prosecution of sexual abuse cases; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Developing and using investigative techniques designed to minimize:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The potential for physical harm to the child;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Trauma to the child during the investigation and prosecution of the case; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>The potential for influencing the child's statement.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>An agreement signed pursuant to this regulation must include a provision requiring law enforcement agencies to make available to the local department any and all recordings of interviews with a victim, witness, or alleged maltreator conducted in the course of a joint investigation.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>