Family Law - Child Abuse - Definitions

HB 111 expands Maryland's legal definitions of "abuse" and "sexual abuse" under family law to better address child welfare concerns. It specifically adds "labor trafficking" to the definition of abuse and clarifies that "sexual abuse" includes acts like exploitation, incest, and sex trafficking, with detailed examples. The bill also explicitly defines who must report suspected abuse, requiring educators, social workers, counselors, and probation officers to report. These changes directly affect child welfare agencies, mandated reporters, and law enforcement handling abuse cases involving children under 18. The updated definitions aim to improve reporting accuracy and investigation protocols for child abuse and neglect.