§ 4-704. Purpose

MD Fam L Code § 4-704 (2019) (N/A)
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(a)    The purpose of a local team is to prevent deaths related to domestic violence by:

(1)    promoting cooperation and coordination among agencies involved in:

(i)    investigating deaths related to domestic violence; or

(ii)    providing services to victims of domestic violence, abusers, or surviving family members;

(2)    developing an understanding of the causes and incidence of deaths related to domestic violence in the county; and

(3)    developing plans for and recommending changes within the agencies the members represent.

(b)    To achieve its purpose, a local team shall:

(1)    establish and implement a protocol for the local team;

(2)    as provided in subsection (c) of this section, review fatalities and cases of serious physical injury related to domestic violence that have occurred in the county;

(3)    meet on a regular basis as determined by the local team, at least annually, to:

(i)    review the status of domestic violence fatality cases in the county;

(ii)    recommend actions to improve coordination of services and investigations among member agencies; and

(iii)    recommend actions within the member agencies to prevent deaths related to domestic violence; and

(4)    provide reports that include recommendations:

(i)    to improve coordination of services and investigations;

(ii)    to implement changes recommended by the local team within member agencies; and

(iii)    on needed changes to State and local law, policy, and practice to prevent deaths related to domestic violence.

(c)    (1)    In accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection, a local team shall determine the number and types of cases the team will review.

(2)    A local team may review criminal cases only at the conclusion of the case in trial court or after the investigation of a suicide has been closed.