<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 07.02.26.04" title_num="07" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="26" heading="Notice of Opportunity for a Hearing.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Within 30 days after a local department has completed an investigation of child abuse or neglect, the local department shall send a notice of action to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An individual whom a local department has found responsible for indicated or unsubstantiated child abuse or neglect; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An individual alleged to have abused or neglected a child in a case that resulted in a finding of indicated or unsubstantiated child abuse or neglect with no maltreator identified.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The notice shall include:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The finding;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An explanation of how to appeal to OAH in accordance with this chapter, including the obligation to pay a filing fee or request a waiver of the fee;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A statement that the local department may identify an individual as responsible for child abuse or neglect in a centralized confidential database if the individual:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Is found guilty of any criminal charge arising out of the alleged child abuse or neglect;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Is found responsible for indicated child abuse or neglect in a final determination; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Has failed to successfully appeal a finding of indicated child abuse or neglect in accordance with this chapter.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A statement of the circumstances under which the finding may be disclosed;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Notice of an appellant’s obligation to notify OAH of any criminal or CINA proceedings arising out of the alleged child abuse or neglect; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Notice of an appellant’s obligation to immediately advise the local department and OAH of a change of address.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>A local department may send a single notice if an individual is found responsible for:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Abuse or neglect of more than one child; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>More than one incident of abuse or neglect of one child.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>The local department shall send the notice to the individual at the address noted in the record.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Minors. If the individual to whom the local department would send notice under §A of this regulation is younger than 18 years old and not legally emancipated, the local department shall send notice to the individual's:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Parent or legal guardian; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If the individual is a foster child:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>To the attorney, if the child is represented; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>To the local department worker assigned to the child’s foster care case.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>