Sec. 07.02.27.03. Reports, Service Decisions, and Plans

A. A hospital presented with a newborn by the newborn's mother or other responsible adult and identified as an abandoned newborn shall make an effort to obtain information on a voluntary basis pertaining to the newborn's medical history or risk factors from the individual presenting the newborn.

B. The hospital shall make reasonable, diligent efforts to obtain information from the mother or responsible adult as to why it is believed that the mother of the newborn has no intention of returning for the newborn.

C. The hospital or other designated facility that accepts a newborn shall notify the LDSS within 24 hours after accepting the newborn.

D. The LDSS in the jurisdiction where the hospital is located shall take responsibility of the newborn when medically ready for discharge under an OSC.

E. A CINA petition shall be filed by the LDSS on behalf of the abandoned newborn in the jurisdiction where the hospital is located in conjunction with the request for an OSC.

F. A Child Protective Services investigation shall be initiated if the mother, father, or relative of the newborn comes forth to identify the newborn and requests that the newborn be placed in the individual's care.

G. The child shall remain in the care of the LDSS under an OSC with a CINA finding and commitment to the LDSS pending the outcome of the investigation.

H. The LDSS shall pursue TPR on the newborn consistent with COMAR 07.02.12.04C and 07.02.11.16A relating to involuntary termination of parental rights if the LDSS believes the newborn to be abandoned as defined in COMAR 07.02.11.03.B(1).