Section 4-704 - Purpose. - Maryland Statutes

§ 4-704. Purpose.
 

(a)  In general.- 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)  Methodology.- 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)  Case review.-  

(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. 
 

[2005, ch. 233.]