§ 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.

HISTORY: 2005, ch. 233.