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Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy

Domestic Violence Central Repository Certification

During the 2014 legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly enacted House Bill 397 (Chapter 227), Peace Orders and Protective Orders – Consent Orders – Shielding.

Under this law:

  • Petitioners may request that court records related to their peace order or protective order case be shielded from public view.
  • Certified victim service providers may receive online access to shielded court records to assist victims of abuse.

Under § 3-1510(a)(5) of the Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, a victim service provider is a nonprofit or government organization authorized by the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy to access shielded peace order records online to assist victims of abuse.

Effective January 19, 2015, the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy adopted COMAR 01.04.04, Online Access to Records of Shielded Peace and Protective Orders, which establishes the certification requirements and procedures for organizations seeking this authorization.

Organizations Eligible to Apply for Certification

The following organizations may apply for certification:

  • A state-designated domestic violence shelter.
  • A certified rape crisis center.
  • A Maryland Legal Services Corporation grantee identified by the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence or the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault as an organization that provides services to victims.

The Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy may also determine that another organization is eligible for certification, even if it does not fall into one of the categories above. Eligibility decisions are made at the Office's discretion and in accordance with COMAR 01.04.04, based on information relevant to the organization's qualifications.