Penalties for Failure to Report and False Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect - Maryland

Failure to Report

Citation: Fam. Law §§ 5-705.2; 5-705.4

An individual may not intentionally prevent or interfere with the making of a report of suspected abuse or neglect as required by law. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000, or both.

If an agency participating in an investigation under § 5-706 has substantial grounds to believe that a person has knowingly failed to report suspected abuse or neglect as required by § 5-704, the agency shall do any of the following:

• File a complaint with the appropriate licensing board in accordance with the provisions of the Health Occupations Article if the person is a health practitioner
• File a complaint with the appropriate law enforcement agency if the person is a police officer
• File a complaint with the county board of education or the appropriate agency, institution, or licensed facility at which the person is employed if the person is an educator or a human service worker

False Reporting

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.