Opinion ID: 2264301
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Social Work as a Profession

Text: The State legislature, finding that the profession of social work profoundly affects the lives, health, safety, and welfare of the people of Maryland, enacted Md.Code (1981, 2005 Repl.Vol.), §§ 19-101 to 19-502 of the Health Occupations Article (H.O.). [3] H.O. § 19-102. As a result, social workers must be licensed in order to act lawfully in the course of their profession in this State. H.O. § 19-301. It is undisputed that Ms. Cann is a licensed social worker employed by Prince George's County Department of Social Services. That a social worker is acting within the course of his or her profession when investigating alleged child abuse incidents is evident from the statutory scheme enacted for the protection of children as described below. Title 5 of the Md.Code (1984, 2004 Repl.Vol.), §§ 5-701 to 1104 of the Family Law Article (F.L.) was enacted to protect children who have been the subject of abuse or neglect. . . . F.L. § 5-702. The legislature intended to achieve this goal in a number of ways, two of which are relevant in this case: child abuse must be (1) reported and (2) promptly investigated by the department or law enforcement agency. Any person who has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse must notify the local department or law enforcement agency. F.L. § 5-705. [4] Furthermore, health practitioners, police officers, educators, and human service workers [5] acting in a professional capacity are specifically required to notify the local department or law enforcement agency. F.L. § 5-704(a). The Legislature also intended that there be a prompt investigation after the local department or law enforcement agency is notified of suspected abuse. F.L. § 5-706(a). Subsection (b) sets specific time requirements and actions to be taken: (b) Time for initiation; actions to be taken.  Within 24 hours after receiving a report of suspected physical or sexual abuse of a child who lives in this State that is alleged to have occurred in this State, and within 5 days after receiving a report of suspected neglect or suspected mental injury of a child who lives in this State that is alleged to have occurred in this State, the local department or the appropriate law enforcement agency shall: (1) see the child; (2) attempt to have an on-site interview with the child's caretaker; (3) decide on the safety of the child, wherever the child is, and of other children in the household; and (4) decide on the safety of other children in the care or custody of the alleged abuser. The Legislature again makes it clear that such steps are necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of children in this State. F.L. §§ 5-706(a)(1), (2). The recurring theme throughout Title 5 is the protection of the child. Social workers are acting in their professional capacity throughout the process even when they are informed of the abuse by police officers or themselves report the abuse to the police.