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HB 1480

Child Advocacy Centers - Continuity of Care Standards for Health Care Professionals and Reports of Violations

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Heather Bagnall Tudball and 6 co-sponsors

Maryland bill establishes continuity of care standards for healthcare professionals treating child abuse victims at advocacy centers with mandatory violation reporting requirements.

Hearing 4/01 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 1480

Legislative bill overview

HB 1480 establishes continuity of care standards for health care professionals working with child abuse victims through Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) in Maryland. The bill creates protocols requiring healthcare providers to maintain consistent care relationships and mandates reporting mechanisms for violations of these standards.

Why is this important

Child Advocacy Centers coordinate multidisciplinary responses to child abuse cases, and continuity of care by healthcare professionals can reduce trauma, improve medical outcomes, and strengthen evidence gathering for investigations. Standardizing these practices and creating accountability mechanisms ensures vulnerable children receive consistent, trauma-informed treatment across multiple encounters.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Healthcare facilities and CACs may face expenses establishing new protocols, training staff, and maintaining documentation systems
  • Provider burden: Requiring continuity of care assignments could limit scheduling flexibility and create staffing challenges for healthcare facilities
  • Violation reporting standards: The bill's definition of reportable violations and consequences for healthcare providers remains subject to interpretation and potential disputes over enforcement severity

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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