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

HB 1480 requires healthcare professionals providing medical or mental health services at Maryland child advocacy centers to hold valid licenses or certifications and work within their scope of practice. It mandates that each center create a continuity of care plan to ensure smooth transitions when providers change, including written notifications to families about new providers and contingency plans if contacting parents could endanger the child. The bill also requires centers to report certain violations to health boards or the Department of Human Services and directs the Department to publish annual information about centers on its website. This law directly affects child advocacy centers, healthcare staff, and the children receiving services through these centers.