NCJ Number
114751
Date Published
1984
Length
67 pages
Annotation
This interim report of the State of Maryland's Governor's Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect presents six legislative proposals and a number of administrative recommendations to deal with the increased problems of child abuse in Maryland in 1984 and 1985.
Abstract
The first legislative proposal amends the Maryland domestic violence statute to allow the removal of an alleged child abuser from the home for up to 90 days. This proposal reverses the existing law that permits the removal of the abused child from the home. A second legislative proposal provided for the imposition of a penalty not to exceed $1,000 for failure to report suspected child abuse or neglect, while a third proposal provides that in a case of child abuse, the age or mental capabity of the child witness will not be used to preclude the child from testifying. A fourth proposal requires thorough criminal background investigations by employers for all individuals who care for or supervise more than six children. Employers who fail to investigate or keep and maintain records verifying that child care workers have been investigated are. A fifth proposal would permit a court to order that a child's testimony be taken outside of the courtroom to reduce trauma, and a sixth proposal would protect all minors from exploitation in the production of obscene matter. Administrative recommendations include increasing community involvement in reporting child abuse.