EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0972*
SENATE BILL 972
J2 2lr3201
CF HB 1252
By: Senator Reilly
Introduced and read first time: February 15, 2022
Assigned to: Rules
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Physicians and Allied Health Professions – Reorganization and Revisions 2
FOR the purpose of repealing obsolete and redundant language in, clarifying language in, 3
and reorganizing certain provisions of law governing the State Board of Physicians 4
and the regulation of physicians, physician assistants, and allied health 5
professionals; authorizing the Board to regulate the allied health committees; 6
repealing the requirement that the Board provide a certain data sheet; and generally 7
relating to the State Board of Physicians and the regulation of physicians, physician 8
assistants, and allied health professionals. 9
BY repealing 10
Article – Health Occupations 11
Section 14–101(n), 14–401.1(b) through (d), 14–405(f), 14–5A–02 through 14–5A–04, 12
14–5A–10, 14–5A–11, 14–5A–13, 14–5A–14, 14–5A–16, 14–5A–17.1, 13
14–5A–18.1, 14–5A–19, 14–5B–02 through 14–5B–04, 14–5B–10, 14–5B–12, 14
14–5B–12.1, 14–5B–13, 14–5B–14.1, 14–5B–15.1, 14–5B–16, 14–5C–02 15
through 14–5C–04, 14–5C–11, 14–5C–12, 14–5C–14, 14–5C–14.1, 14–5C–16, 16
14–5C–18.1, 14–5C–19, 14–5D–02, 14–5D–03, 14–5D–09, 14–5D–12, 17
14–5D–12.1, 14–5D–13, 14–5D–15, 14–5D–16, 14–5D–16.1, 14–5E–02 18
through 14–5E–04, 14–5E–11, 14–5E–15, 14–5E–17, 14–5E–18.1, 14–5E–19, 19
14–5F–04, 14–5F–05, 14–5F–13, 14–5F–15.1, 14–5F–17, 14–5F–23, 20
14–5G–02 through 14–5G–04, 14–5G–10, 14–5G–11, 14–5G–13, 14–5G–15, 21
14–5G–16, 14–5G–19, 14–5G–21, 14–5G–22, 15–203, 15–204, 15–206, 22
15–304, 15–305, 15–307, 15–308, 15–310 through 15–312, and 15–315 23
through 15–316.1 24
Annotated Code of Maryland 25
(2021 Replacement Volume) 26
BY renumbering 27
Article – Health Occupations 28 2 SENATE BILL 972
Section 14–206, 14–206.1, 14–301, 14–302, 14–306, 14–307, 14–308, 14–308.1, 1
14–309, 14–311, 14–312, 14–313, 14–313.1, 14–314, 14–315, 14–316, 14–317, 2
14–318 through 14–320, 14–322, 14–404, 14–413 through 14–415, 14–502, 3
14–503, 14–504, 14–505, 14–506, 14–507, 14–508, 14–509, 14–601, 14–602, 4
14–603, 14–605, 14–607, 15–101 through 15–103, 15–201, 15–202, 15–205, 5
15–301, 15–302, 15–302.1 through 15–302.3, 15–303, 15–306, 15–309, 15–313, 6
15–314, 15–317, 15–401, 15–402, 15–402.1, 15–403, 15–501, and 15–502, 7
respectively 8
to be Section 14–401.2, 14–401.3, 14–501, 14–502, 14–503, 14–301, 14–505, 9
14–302, 14–303, 14–506, 14–507, 14–304, 14–529, 14–305, 14–508, 14–306, 10
14–307, 14–509 through 14–511, 14–512, 14–515, 14–517 through 14–519, 11
14–414, 14–513, 14–526, 14–525, 14–415, 14–523, 14–520, 14–522, 14–527, 12
14–528, 14–413, 14–521, 14–524, 14–5H–01 through 14–5H–03, 14–5H–04, 13
14–5H–05, 14–5H–06, 14–5H–07, 14–5H–08, 14–5H–09 through 14–5H–11, 14
14–5H–12, 14–5H–13, 14–5H–14, 14–5H–15, 14–5H–16, 14–5H–17, 15
14–5H–18, 14–5H–19, 14–5H–20, 14–5H–21, 14–5H–22, and 14–5H–23, 16
respectively 17
Annotated Code of Maryland 18
(2021 Replacement Volume) 19
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 20
Article – Correctional Services 21
Section 9–603(d)(2) 22
Annotated Code of Maryland 23
(2017 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 24
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 25
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 26
Section 5–106(r), 5–715(d), and 10–205(b) 27
Annotated Code of Maryland 28
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 29
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 30
Article – Health – General 31
Section 4–201(a), 5–601(a), and 13–3301(a) 32
Annotated Code of Maryland 33
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 34
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 35
Article – Health – General 36
Section 4–201(s), 5–601(v), 13–3301(d), and 18–214.1(b) 37
Annotated Code of Maryland 38
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 39
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 40
Article – Health Occupations 41 SENATE BILL 972 3
Section 1–302(g), 1–306(e), 8–205(a)(3), 11–404.2(h), 12–102(c)(2), 1
14–101(a–1), (g), (i), and (o), 14–102(a), 14–205, 14–207(b) through (d) and (f), 2
14–3A–01 Section 5(b)(3)(i), 14–401.1(a)(5) and (e) through (k), 14–402(a), (c), 3
(e), and (f), 14–405(a) and (g), 14–406, 14–409(a) and (c), 14–411(d), (g), (h), 4
(j), (k), and (p), 14–411.1(b) through (d), 14–416(a), 14–5A–01(c), 14–5A–05, 5
14–5A–09, 14–5A–17(a), 14–5B–07(a)(2), 14–5B–09, 14–5B–11, 14–5B–14(a), 6
14–5C–01(c), 14–5C–05, 14–5C–08(b), 14–5C–09, 14–5C–10, 14–5C–17(a), 7
14–5D–07(b), 14–5D–08, 14–5D–10(a), 14–5D–14(a), 14–5E–01(g), 8
14–5E–08(b), 14–5E–09, 14–5E–10(a), 14–5E–13, 14–5E–14, 14–5E–16(a), 9
14–5F–11, 14–5F–12, 14–5F–15, 14–5F–16, 14–5F–18(a), 14–5F–21, 10
14–5F–24(c), 14–5G–09, 14–5G–14(h), 14–5G–17, and 14–5G–18(a) 11
Annotated Code of Maryland 12
(2021 Replacement Volume) 13
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 14
Article – Health Occupations 15
Section 14–101(a), 14–5A–01(a), 14–5C–01(a), and 14–5E–01(a) 16
Annotated Code of Maryland 17
(2021 Replacement Volume) 18
BY adding to 19
Article – Health Occupations 20
Section 14–101(a–2), (n), and (q), 14–404, 14–417, 14–504, 14–514, 14–516, 21
14–5A–06(e), 14–5B–05(f), 14–5C–06(e), 14–5D–05(f), 14–5E–06(e), and 22
14–5F–07(g) 23
Annotated Code of Maryland 24
(2021 Replacement Volume) 25
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 26
Article – Health Occupations 27
Section 14–301, 14–303, 14–304(b), 14–305, 14–306, 14–307, 14–401.2(e), and 28
14–413; 14–503(c) and (e), 14–505(b), 14–506(a), 14–510(a), 14–511(b), 29
14–515(a), 14–517(a)(1), 14–518(a)(1), 14–524(b) and (c), 14–527, and 30
14–528(c) to be under the amended subtitle “Subtitle 5. Physicians”; and 31
14–5H–01(e) through (i) and (j) through (u), 14–5H–02, 14–5H–03(c), (d), and 32
(e)(1), 14–5H–06(a), 14–5H–07(c), 14–5H–08(c)(2)(ii)1., (g), (k), (l)(2), and (m), 33
14–5H–09(a) and (b), 14–5H–10(e), 14–5H–12(a), 14–5H–14, 14–5H–15, 34
14–5H–16(a), and 14–5H–21 through 14–5H–23 35
Annotated Code of Maryland 36
(2021 Replacement Volume) 37
(As enacted by Section 2 of this Act) 38
BY adding to 39
Article – Health Occupations 40
Section 14–513(c) and (d), 14–521(c), 14–524(b), 14–525(d), and 14–528(d); and 41
14–5H–16(c) through (e) to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 5H. Physician 42
Assistants” 43 4 SENATE BILL 972
Annotated Code of Maryland 1
(2021 Replacement Volume) 2
(As enacted by Section 2 of this Act) 3
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 4
Article – Health Occupations 5
Section 14–5H–01(a) 6
Annotated Code of Maryland 7
(2021 Replacement Volume) 8
(As enacted by Section 2 of this Act) 9
BY repealing 10
Article – Health Occupations 11
Section 14–5H–01(d) and (i–1) 12
Annotated Code of Maryland 13
(2021 Replacement Volume) 14
(As enacted by Section 2 of this Act) 15
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 16
Article – Transportation 17
Section 13–616(a)(1) 18
Annotated Code of Maryland 19
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 20
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 21
Article – Transportation 22
Section 13–616(a)(7) 23
Annotated Code of Maryland 24
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 25
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 26
Article – Tax – General 27
Section 10–752(a)(1) 28
Annotated Code of Maryland 29
(2016 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 30
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 31
Article – Tax – General 32
Section 10–752(a)(3) and (d)(7) 33
Annotated Code of Maryland 34
(2016 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 35
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 36
That Section(s) 14–101(n), 14–401.1(b) through (d), 14–405(f), 14–5A–02 through 37
14–5A–04, 14–5A–10, 14–5A–11, 14–5A–13, 14–5A–14, 14–5A–16, 14–5A–17.1, 38
14–5A–18.1, 14–5A–19, 14–5B–02 through 14–5B–04, 14–5B–10, 14–5B–12, 14–5B–12.1, 39
14–5B–13, 14–5B–14.1, 14–5B–15.1, 14–5B–16, 14–5C–02 through 14–5C–04, 14–5C–11, 40 SENATE BILL 972 5
14–5C–12, 14–5C–14, 14–5C–14.1, 14–5C–16, 14–5C–18.1, 14–5C–19, 14–5D–02, 1
14–5D–03, 14–5D–09, 14–5D–12, 14–5D–12.1, 14–5D–13, 14–5D–15, 14–5D–16, 2
14–5D–16.1, 14–5E–02 through 14–5E–04, 14–5E–11, 14–5E–15, 14–5E–17, 14–5E–18.1, 3
14–5E–19, 14–5F–04, 14–5F–05, 14–5F–13, 14–5F–15.1, 14–5F–17, 14–5F–23, 14–5G–02 4
through 14–5G–04, 14–5G–10, 14–5G–11, 14–5G–13, 14–5G–15, 14–5G–16, 14–5G–19, 5
14–5G–21, 14–5G–22, 15–203, 15–204, 15–206, 15–304, 15–305, 15–307, 6
15–308, 15–310 through 15–312, and 15–315 through 15–316.1 of Article – Health 7
Occupations of the Annotated Code of Maryland be repealed. 8
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section(s) 14 –206, 14–206.1, 9
14–301, 14–302, 14–306, 14–307, 14–308, 14–308.1, 14–309, 14–311, 14–312, 14–313, 10
14–313.1, 14–314, 14–315, 14–316, 14–317, 14–318 through 14–320, 14–322, 14–404, 11
14–413 through 14–415, 14–502, 14–503, 14–504, 14–505, 14–506, 14–507, 14–508, 12
14–509, 14–601, 14–602, 14–603, 14–605, 14–607, 15–101 through 15–103, 15–201, 13
15–202, 15–205, 15–301, 15–302, 15–302.1 through 15–302.3, 15–303, 15–306, 15–309, 14
15–313, 15–314, 15–317, 15–401, 15–402, 15–402.1, 15–403, 15–501, and 15–502, 15
respectively, of Article – Health Occupations of the Annotated Code of Maryland be 16
renumbered to be Section(s) 14–401.2, 14–401.3, 14–501, 14–502, 14–503, 14–301, 14–505, 17
14–302, 14–303, 14–506, 14–507, 14–304, 14–529, 14–305, 14–508, 14–306, 14–307, 18
14–509 through 14–511, 14–512, 14–515, 14–517 through 14–519, 14–414, 14–513, 14–526, 19
14–525, 14–415, 14–523, 14–520, 14–522, 14–527, 14–528, 14–413, 14–521, 14–524, 20
14–5H–01 through 14–5H–03, 14–5H–04, 14–5H–05, 14–5H–06, 14–5H–07, 14–5H–08, 21
14–5H–09 through 14–5H–11, 14–5H–12, 14–5H–13, 14–5H–14, 14–5H–15, 14–5H–16, 22
14–5H–17, 14–5H–18, 14–5H–19, 14–5H–20, 14–5H–21, 14–5H–22, and 14–5H–23, 23
respectively. 24
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 25
as follows: 26
Article – Correctional Services 27
9–603. 28
(d) (2) If an assessment conducted under paragraph (1) of this subsection 29
indicates opioid use disorder, an evaluation of the inmate shall be conducted by a health 30
care practitioner with prescriptive authority authorized under Title 8[,] OR Title 14[, or 31
Title 15] of the Health Occupations Article. 32
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 33
5–106. 34
(r) A prosecution for an offense under [§ 14–601] § 14–527 of the Health 35
Occupations Article of practicing, attempting to practice, or offering to practice medicine 36
without a license shall be instituted within 3 years after the offense was committed. 37
5–715. 38 6 SENATE BILL 972
(d) Any person who acts in good faith is not civilly liable for giving any of the 1
information required under [§ 14–413 or § 14–414] § 14–517 OR § 14–518 of the Health 2
Occupations Article. 3
10–205. 4
(b) Records, reports, statements, notes, or information assembled or obtained by 5
the Maryland Department of Health, the Maryland Commission to Study Problems of Drug 6
Addiction, the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty or its allied medical societies, the Maryland 7
Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, an in–hospital staff committee, or a 8
national organized medical society or research group that are declared confidential by § 9
4–102 of the Health – General Article or [§ 14–506] § 14–415 of the Health Occupations 10
Article, are not admissible in evidence in any proceeding. 11
Article – Health – General 12
4–201. 13
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 14
(s) “Physician assistant” means an individual who is licensed under Title [15] 14, 15
SUBTITLE 5H of the Health Occupations Article to practice medicine with physician 16
supervision. 17
5–601. 18
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 19
(v) “Physician assistant” means an individual who is licensed under Title [15] 14, 20
SUBTITLE 5H of the Health Occupations Article to practice medicine with physician 21
supervision. 22
13–3301. 23
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 24
(d) “Certifying provider” means an individual who: 25
(1) (i) 1. Has an active, unrestricted license to practice medicine 26
that was issued by the State Board of Physicians under Title 14 of the Health Occupations 27
Article; and 28
2. Is in good standing with the State Board of Physicians; 29
SENATE BILL 972 7
(ii) 1. Has an active, unrestricted license to practice dentistry 1
that was issued by the State Board of Dental Examiners under Title 4 of the Health 2
Occupations Article; and 3
2. Is in good standing with the State Board of Dental 4
Examiners; 5
(iii) 1. Has an active, unrestricted license to practice podiatry 6
that was issued by the State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners under Title 16 of the 7
Health Occupations Article; and 8
2. Is in good standing with the State Board of Podiatric 9
Medical Examiners; 10
(iv) 1. Has an active, unrestricted license to practice registered 11
nursing and has an active, unrestricted certification to practice as a nurse practitioner or 12
a nurse midwife that were issued by the State Board of Nursing under Title 8 of the Health 13
Occupations Article; and 14
2. Is in good standing with the State Board of Nursing; or 15
(v) 1. Has an active, unrestricted license to practice as a 16
physician assistant issued by the State Board of Physicians under Title [15] 14, SUBTITLE 17
5H of the Health Occupations Article; 18
2. Has an active delegation agreement with a primary 19
supervising physician who is a certifying provider; and 20
3. Is in good standing with the State Board of Physicians; 21
(2) Has a State controlled dangerous substances registration; and 22
(3) Is registered with the Commission to make cannabis available to 23
patients for medical use in accordance with regulations adopted by the Commission. 24
18–214.1. 25
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the following health care 26
providers may prescribe, dispense, or otherwise provide antibiotic therapy to any sexual 27
partner of a patient diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis without 28
making a personal physical assessment of the patient’s partner: 29
(1) A physician licensed under Title 14 of the Health Occupations Article; 30
(2) An advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority 31
licensed under Title 8 of the Health Occupations Article acting in accordance with § 8–508 32
of the Health Occupations Article; 33 8 SENATE BILL 972
(3) An authorized physician assistant licensed under Title [15] 14, 1
SUBTITLE 5H of the Health Occupations Article acting in accordance with [§ 15–302.2] 2
14–5H–10 of the Health Occupations Article; and 3
(4) A registered nurse employed by a local health department who complies 4
with: 5
(i) The formulary developed and approved under § 3–403(b) of this 6
article; and 7
(ii) The requirements established under § 8–512 of the Health 8
Occupations Article. 9
Article – Health Occupations 10
1–302. 11
(g) Subsection (d)(12) of this section may not be construed to: 12
(1) Permit an individual or entity to engage in the insurance business, as 13
defined in § 1–101 of the Insurance Article, without obtaining a certificate of authority from 14
the Maryland Insurance Commissioner and satisfying all other applicable requirements of 15
the Insurance Article; 16
(2) (i) Impose additional obligations on a carr ier providing 17
incentive–based compensation to a health care practitioner under § 15–113 of the Insurance 18
Article; or 19
(ii) Require the disclosure of information regarding the 20
incentive–based compensation, except as required under § 15–113 of the Insurance Article; 21
(3) Authorize a health care entity to knowingly make a direct or indirect 22
payment to a health care practitioner as an inducement to reduce or limit medically 23
necessary services to individuals who are under the direct care of the health care 24
practitioner; 25
(4) Permit an arrangement that violates: 26
(i) [§ 14–404(a)(15)] § 14–515(A)(15) of this article; or 27
(ii) § 8–508, § 8–511, § 8–512, § 8–516, or § 8–517 of the Criminal 28
Law Article; 29
(5) Narrow, expand, or otherwise modify: 30
SENATE BILL 972 9
(i) Any definition in § 1–301 of this subtitle, including the definition 1
of “in–office ancillary services”; or 2
(ii) Any exception in subsection (d)(4) of this section including the 3
exception for referrals for in–office ancillary services or tests; or 4
(6) Require a compensation arrangement to comply with the provisions of 5
subsection (d)(12) of this section if the compensation arrangement is exempt under any 6
other provision of subsection (d) of this section. 7
1–306. 8
(e) This section does not prohibit: 9
(1) A referring laboratory from billing for anatomic pathology services or 10
histologic processing if the referring laboratory must send a specimen to another clinical 11
laboratory for histologic processing or anatomic pathology consultation; and 12
(2) A health care practitioner who takes a Pap test specimen from a patient 13
and who orders but does not supervise or perform an anatomic pathology service on the 14
specimen, from billing a patient or payor for the service, provided the health care 15
practitioner complies with: 16
(i) The disclosure requirements of [§ 14–404(a)(16)] § 17
14–515(A)(16) of this article; and 18
(ii) The ethics policies of the American Medical Association that 19
relate to referring physician billing for laboratory services. 20
8–205. 21
(a) In addition to the powers and duties set forth elsewhere in this title, the Board 22
has the following powers and duties: 23
(3) To adopt rules and regulations for the performance of delegated medical 24
functions that are recognized jointly by the State Board of Physicians and the State Board 25
of Nursing, under [§ 14–306(d)] § 14–503(D) of this article; 26
11–404.2. 27
(h) A therapeutically certified optometrist shall be: 28
(1) Held to the same standard of care as an ophthalmologist who is licensed 29
under Title 14 of this article and who is providing similar services; and 30
(2) Required to comply with the notice requirement under [§ 14–508] § 31
14–520 of this article. 32 10 SENATE BILL 972
12–102. 1
(c) (2) This title does not prohibit: 2
(i) A licensed veterinarian from: 3
1. Personally preparing and dispensing the veterinarian’s 4
prescriptions; or 5
2. Dispensing, in accordance with § 2 –313(c) of the 6
Agriculture Article, compounded nonsterile preparations or compounded sterile 7
preparations provided by a pharmacy; 8
(ii) A licensed dentist, physician, or podiatrist from personally 9
preparing and dispensing the dentist’s, physician’s, or podiatrist’s prescriptions when: 10
1. The dentist, physician, or podiatrist: 11
A. Has applied to the board of licensure in this State which 12
licensed the dentist, physician, or podiatrist; 13
B. Has demonstrated to the satisfaction of that board that the 14
dispensing of prescription drugs or devices by the dentist, physician, or podiatrist is in the 15
public interest; 16
C. Has received a written permit from that board to dispense 17
prescription drugs or devices except that a written permit is not required in order to 18
dispense starter dosages or samples without charge; and 19
D. Posts a sign conspicuously positioned and readable 20
regarding the process for resolving incorrectly filled prescriptions or includes written 21
information regarding the process with each prescription dispensed; 22
2. The person for whom the drugs or devices are prescribed 23
is a patient of the prescribing dentist, physician, or podiatrist; 24
3. The dentist, physician, or podiatrist does not have a 25
substantial financial interest in a pharmacy; and 26
4. The dentist, physician, or podiatrist: 27
A. Complies with the dispensing and labeling requirements 28
of this title; 29
B. Records the dispensing of the prescription drug or device 30
on the patient’s chart; 31 SENATE BILL 972 11
C. Allows the Office of Controlled Substances Administration 1
to enter and inspect the dentist’s, physician’s, or podiatrist’s office at all reasonable hours 2
and in accordance with § 12–102.1 of this subtitle; 3
D. On inspection by the Office of Controlled Substances 4
Administration, signs and dates an acknowledgment form provided by the Office of 5
Controlled Substances Administration relating to the requirements of this section; 6
E. Except for starter dosages or samples without charge, 7
provides the patient with a written prescription, maintains prescription files in accordance 8
with § 12–403(c)(13) of this title, and maintains a separate file for Schedule II prescriptions; 9
F. Does not direct patients to a single pharmacist or 10
pharmacy in accordance with § 12–403(c)(8) of this title; 11
G. Does not receive remuneration for referring patients to a 12
pharmacist or pharmacy; 13
H. Complies with the child resistant packaging requirements 14
regarding prescription drugs under Title 22, Subtitle 3 of the Health – General Article; 15
I. Complies with drug recalls; 16
J. Maintains biennial inventories and complies with any 17
other federal and State record–keeping requirements relating to controlled dangerous 18
substances; 19
K. Purchases prescription drugs from a pharmacy or 20
wholesale distributor who holds a permit issued by the Board of Pharmacy, as verified by 21
the Board of Pharmacy; 22
L. Annually reports to the respective board of licensure 23
whether the dentist, physician, or podiatrist has personally prepared and dispensed 24
prescription drugs within the previous year; and 25
M. Completes ten continuing education credits over a 5–year 26
period relating to the preparing and dispensing of prescription drugs, offered by the 27
Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) or as approved by the Secretary, in 28
consultation with each respective board of licensure, as a condition of permit renewal; 29
(iii) A licensed physician from dispensing a topical medication 30
without obtaining the permit required under item (ii)1C of this paragraph or completing 31
the continuing education required under item (ii)4M of this paragraph when the physician: 32
1. Otherwise complies with item (ii) of this paragraph; and 33
12 SENATE BILL 972
2. Has obtained a special written permit under [§ 14–509] § 1
14–522 of this article; 2
(iv) A licensed physician who complies with the requirements of item 3
(ii) of this paragraph from personally preparing and dispensing a prescription written by: 4
1. A physician assistant in accordance with a delegation 5
agreement that complies with Title [15] 14, Subtitle [3] 5H of this article; or 6
2. A nurse practitioner who is authorized to practice under 7
Title 8, Subtitle 3 of this article and is working with the physician in the same office setting; 8
or 9
(v) A hospital–based clinic from dispensing prescriptions to its 10
patients. 11
14–101. 12
(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. 13
(a–1) “Allied health professional” means an individual licensed by the Board under 14
Subtitle 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, [or] 5F, 5G, OR 5H of this title [or Title 15 of this article]. 15
(A–2) “APPLICANT” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL APPLYING FOR INITIAL 16
LICENSURE AS A PHYSI CIAN OR ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL IN THE STATE. 17
(g) “License” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a license issued by the 18
Board to practice medicine OR AN ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSION REGULATED BY THE 19
BOARD. 20
(i) “Licensee” means an individual to whom THE BOARD ISSUES a license [is 21
issued], including an individual practicing medicine within or as a professional corporation 22
or professional association. 23
(N) “PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT ” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS LICENSED 24
UNDER SUBTITLE 5H OF THIS TITLE TO PRACTICE MEDICINE WI TH PHYSICIAN 25
SUPERVISION. 26
(o) (1) “Practice medicine” means to engage, with or without compensation, in 27
medical: 28
(i) Diagnosis; 29
(ii) Healing; 30
(iii) Treatment; or 31 SENATE BILL 972 13
(iv) Surgery. 1
(2) “Practice medicine” includes doing, undertaking, professing to do, and 2
attempting any of the following: 3
(i) Diagnosing, healing, treating, preventing, prescribing for, or 4
removing any physical, mental, or emotional ailment or supposed ailment of an individual: 5
1. By physical, mental, emotional, or other process that is 6
exercised or invoked by the practitioner, the patient, or both; or 7
2. By appliance, test, drug, operation, or treatment; 8
(ii) Ending of a human pregnancy; and 9
(iii) Performing acupuncture as provided under [§ 14–504] § 14–526 10
of this title. 11
(3) “Practice medicine” does not include: 12
(i) Selling any nonprescription drug or medicine; 13
(ii) Practicing as an optician; or 14
(iii) Performing a massage or other manipulation by hand, but by no 15
other means. 16
(Q) “REHABILITATION PROGRAM” MEANS THE PROGRAM OF THE BOARD 17
OR THE NONPROFIT ENT ITY WITH WHICH THE BOARD CONTRACTS UNDER § 18
14–401.1(D) OF THIS TITLE THAT E VALUATES AND PROVIDE S ASSISTANCE TO 19
IMPAIRED PHYSICIANS AND OTHER HEALTH PRO FESSIONALS R EGULATED BY THE 20
BOARD WHO ARE DIRECTE D BY THE BOARD TO RECEIVE TREA TMENT AND 21
REHABILITATION FOR A LCOHOLISM, CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY , OR OTHER 22
PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, OR MENTAL CONDITIONS . 23
14–102. 24
(a) This title does not limit the right of: 25
(1) An individual to practice a health occupation that the individual is 26
authorized to practice under this article; [or] 27
(2) A Christian Science practitioner, who is accredited by the First Church 28
of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, from: 29
14 SENATE BILL 972
(i) Dealing with human ills in accordance with the tenets of 1
Christian Science; and 2
(ii) Charging for services[.]; 3
(3) A LICENSED HOME MEDICA L EQUIPMENT PROVIDER TO PROVIDE 4
HOME MEDICAL EQUIPME NT SERVICES AS DEFIN ED UNDER TITLE 19, SUBTITLE 4A 5
OF THE HEALTH – GENERAL ARTICLE; OR 6
(4) A LICENSED RESPIRATORY CARE PRACTITIONER TO PRACTICE 7
RESPIRATORY CARE WIT HIN THE SCOPE OF PRA CTICE OF THE RESPIRA TORY CARE 8
PRACTITIONER ’S LICENSE, INCLUDING PRACTICING RESPIRATORY CARE IN A SLEEP 9
LABORATORY . 10
14–205. 11
(a) In addition to the powers and duties set forth in this title [and in Title 15 of 12
this article], the Board shall: 13
(1) Enforce this title [and Title 15 of this article]; 14
(2) Adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this title [and Title 15 15
of this article]; 16
(3) Establish policies for Board operations; 17
(4) Maintain the rules, regulations, and policies of the Board so that the 18
rules, regulations, and policies reflect the current practices of the Board; 19
(5) Oversee: 20
(i) The licensing requirements for physicians and the allied health 21
professionals; and 22
(ii) The issuance and renewal of licenses; 23
(6) Maintain secure and complete records; 24
(7) Review and preliminarily investigate complaints, including 25
acknowledging receipt of complaints and informing complainants of the final disposition of 26
complaints; 27
(8) Develop and implement methods to: 28
(i) Assess and improve licensee practices; and 29
SENATE BILL 972 15
(ii) Ensure the ongoing competence of licensees; 1
(9) Ensure that an opportunity for a hearing is provided to an individual, 2
in accordance with law, before any action is taken against the individual; 3
(10) Adjudicate nondisciplinary matters within the Board’s jurisdiction; 4
(11) Report on all disciplinary actions, license denials, and license 5
surrenders; 6
(12) Establish appropriate fees that are adequate to fund the effective 7
regulation of physicians and allied health professionals; 8
(13) Make recommendations that benefit the health, safety, and welfare of 9
the public; 10
(14) Provide ongoing education and training for Board members to ensure 11
that the Board members can competently discharge their duties; 12
(15) Direct educational outreach to and communicate with licensees and the 13
public; 14
(16) Develop and adopt a budget that reflects revenues and supports the 15
costs associated with each allied health profession regulated by the Board; 16
(17) Develop and approve an annual report and other required reports for 17
submission to the Secretary, the Governor, the General Assembly, and the public; 18
(18) Approve contracts as needed and within budgetary limits; 19
(19) Appoint standing and ad hoc committees from among Board members 20
as necessary; 21
(20) Delegate to the executive director of the Board the authority to 22
discharge Board or disciplinary panel duties, as deemed appropriate and necessary by the 23
Board or disciplinary panel, and hold the executive director accountable to the Board; and 24
(21) Appoint members of the disciplinary panels. 25
(b) (1) In addition to the powers set forth elsewhere in this title, the Board 26
may: 27
(i) Adopt regulations to regulate the performance of acupuncture, 28
but only to the extent authorized by [§ 14–504] § 14–526 of this title; 29
(ii) After consulting with the State Board of Pharmacy, adopt rules 30
and regulations regarding the dispensing of prescription drugs by a licensed physician; 31 16 SENATE BILL 972
(iii) On receipt of a written and signed complaint, including a referral 1
from the Commissioner of Labor and Industry, conduct an unannounced inspection of the 2
office of a physician or acupuncturist, other than an office of a physician or acupuncturist 3
in a hospital, related institution, freestanding medical facility, or a freestanding birthing 4
center, to determine compliance at that office with the Centers for Disease Control and 5
Prevention’s guidelines on universal precautions; and 6
(iv) Contract with others for the purchase of administrative and 7
examination services to carry out the provisions of this title. 8
(2) The Board or a disciplinary panel may investigate an alleged violation 9
of this title. 10
[(3) Subject to the Administrative Procedure Act and the hearing provisions 11
of § 14–405 of this title, a disciplinary panel may deny a license to an applicant or, if an 12
applicant has failed to renew the applicant’s license, refuse to renew or reinstate an 13
applicant’s license for: 14
(i) Any of the reasons that are grounds for action under § 14–404, § 15
14–5A–17, § 14–5B–14, § 14–5C–17, § 14–5D–14, § 14–5E–16, or § 14–5F–18 of this title, 16
as applicable; or 17
(ii) Failure to complete a criminal history records check in 18
accordance with § 14–308.1 of this title.] 19
(c) (1) In addition to the duties set forth elsewhere in this title, the Board 20
shall: 21
(i) Issue, for use in other jurisdictions, a certificate of professional 22
standing to any [licensed physician] LICENSEE; and 23
(ii) Keep a list of all PENDING license applicants. 24
(2) (i) The Board shall keep a list of all [physicians] LICENSEES who 25
are currently licensed. 26
(ii) The list shall include each [physician’s] LICENSEE’S designated 27
public address. 28
(iii) A [physician’s] LICENSEE’S designated public address may be a 29
post office box only if the [physician] LICENSEE provides to the Board a nonpublic address, 30
under paragraph (3) of this subsection, that is not a post office box. 31
(iv) Each list prepared under this paragraph shall be kept as a 32
permanent record of the Board. 33 SENATE BILL 972 17
(v) The list of [currently licensed physicians] CURRENT 1
LICENSEES is a public record. 2
(3) (i) The Board shall maintain on file a [physician’s] LICENSEE’S 3
designated nonpublic address, if provided by the [physician] LICENSEE, to facilitate 4
communication between the [physician] LICENSEE and the Board. 5
(ii) The Board shall offer a [physician] LICENSEE the opportunity to 6
designate a nonpublic address, in addition to the [physician’s] LICENSEE’S public address, 7
at the time of initial licensure and license renewal. 8
(iii) A [physician] LICENSEE shall designate an address where the 9
Board may send the [physician] LICENSEE mail. 10
(iv) A [physician’s] LICENSEE’S designated nonpublic address is not 11
a public record and may not be released by the Board. 12
(D) THE BOARD MAY NOT RELEASE A LIST OF APPLICANTS FOR LICENSURE . 13
(E) THE BOARD MAY ADOPT REGUL ATIONS REGARDING COM MITTEES 14
ESTABLISHED UNDER TH IS TITLE GOVERNING : 15
(1) THE TERM OF OFFICE FO R MEMBERS; 16
(2) THE PROCEDURE FOR FIL LING VACANCIES ON A COMMITTEE; 17
(3) THE REMOVAL OF MEMBER S; AND 18
(4) THE DUTIES OF EACH OF FICER. 19
14–207. 20
(b) (1) The Board [may] SHALL set reasonable fees for the issuance and 21
renewal of licenses and its other services PROVIDED TO PHYSICIA NS AND ALLIED 22
HEALTH PROFESSIONALS . 23
(2) The fees charged shall be set [so as] to GENERATE SUFFICIENT 24
FUNDS TO approximate the cost of maintaining the Board, THE LICENSURE PROGRA MS 25
UNDER THIS TITLE , AND THE OTHER SERVIC ES IT PROVIDES TO PH YSICIANS AND 26
ALLIED HEALTH PROFES SIONALS, including the cost of providing a rehabilitation 27
program for physicians AND ALLIED HEALTH PR OFESSIONALS under [§ 14–401.1(g)] § 28
14–401.1(D) of this title. 29
18 SENATE BILL 972
(3) Funds to cover the compensation and expenses of the Board members 1
shall be generated by fees set under this section. 2
(4) FEES GENERATED BY PHY SICIAN OR ALLIED HEA LTH 3
PROFESSIONAL LICENSE S SHALL BE USED TO M AINTAIN THE LICENSING PROGRAM 4
AND SERVICES PROVIDE D TO THAT PARTICULAR PROFESSION. 5
(5) THE FEES GENERATED SH ALL BE USED TO COVER THE ACTUAL 6
DOCUMENTED DIRECT AN D INDIRECT COSTS OF FULFILLING THE STATU TORY AND 7
REGULATORY DUTIES OF THE BOARD AS PROVIDED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THIS 8
TITLE. 9
(6) (I) IN ADDITION TO THE FE E SET BY THE BOARD UNDER THIS 10
SECTION FOR THE RENE WAL OF A LICENSE , THE BOARD SHALL ASSESS A SEPARATE 11
$15 FEE FOR A RENEWAL OF EACH LICENSE FOR A P HYSICIAN ASSISTANT . 12
(II) THE BOARD SHALL PAY THE FEE COLLECTED UNDER 13
PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION T O THE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT 14
PRECEPTORSHIP TAX CREDIT FUND ESTABLISHED UNDE R § 10–752 OF THE TAX – 15
GENERAL ARTICLE. 16
(c) [The] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (B)(6) OF THIS SECTION , 17
THE Board shall pay all fees collected under the provisions of this title to the Comptroller 18
of the State. 19
(d) (1) [In each of fiscal years 2019 through 2021, if the Governor does not 20
include in the State budget at least $400,000 for the operation of the Maryland Loan 21
Assistance Repayment Program for Physicians and Physician Assistants under Title 24, 22
Subtitle 17 of the Health – General Article, as administered by the Department, the 23
Comptroller shall distribute: 24
(i) $400,000 of the fees received from the Board to the Department 25
to be used to make grants under the Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program for 26
Physicians and Physician Assistants under Title 24, Subtitle 17 of the Health – General 27
Article to physicians and physician assistants engaged in primary care or to medical 28
residents specializing in primary care who agree to practice for at least 2 years as primary 29
care physicians in a geographic area of the State that has been designated by the Secretary 30
as being medically underserved; and 31
(ii) The balance of the fees to the Board of Physicians Fund. 32
(2)] In fiscal year 2022, if the Governor does not include in the State budget 33
at least $1,000,000 for the operation of the Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program 34
for Physicians and Physician Assistants under Title 24, Subtitle 17 of the Health – General 35
Article, as administered by the Department, the Comptroller shall distribute: 36 SENATE BILL 972 19
(i) $1,000,000 of the fees received from the Board to the Department 1
to be used to make grants under the Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program for 2
Physicians and Physician Assistants under Title 24, Subtitle 17 of the Health – General 3
Article to physicians and physician assistants engaged in primary care or to medical 4
residents specializing in primary care who agree to practice for at least 2 years as primary 5
care physicians in a geographic area of the State that has been designated by the Secretary 6
as being medically underserved; and 7
(ii) The balance of the fees to the Board of Physicians Fund. 8
[(3)] (2) In fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal year thereafter, if the 9
Department does not implement a permanent funding structure under § 24–1702(b)(1) of 10
the Health – General Article and the Governor does not include in the State budget at least 11
$400,000 for the operation of the Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program for 12
Physicians and Physician Assistants under Title 24, Subtitle 17 of the Health – General 13
Article, as administered by the Department, the Comptroller shall distribute: 14
(i) $400,000 of the fees received from the Board to the Department 15
to be used to make grants under the Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program for 16
Physicians and Physician Assistants under Title 24, Subtitle 17 of the Health – General 17
Article to physicians and physician assistants engaged in primary care or to medical 18
residents specializing in primary care who agree to practice for at least 2 years as primary 19
care physicians in a geographic area of the State that has been designated by the Secretary 20
as being medically underserved; and 21
(ii) The balance of the fees to the Board of Physicians Fund. 22
[(4)] (3) If the Governor includes in the State budget at least the amount 23
specified in paragraph (1) [or (2)] of this subsection for the operation of the Maryland Loan 24
Assistance Repayment Program for Physicians and Physician Assistants under Title 24, 25
Subtitle 17 of the Health – General Article, as administered by the Department, the 26
Comptroller shall distribute the fees to the Board of Physicians Fund. 27
(f) (1) In addition to the requirements of subsection (e) of this section, the 28
Board shall fund the budget of the [Physician] Rehabilitation Program with fees set, 29
collected, and distributed to the Fund under this title. 30
(2) After review and approval by the Board of a budget submitted by the 31
[Physician] Rehabilitation Program, the Board may allocate money from the Fund to the 32
[Physician] Rehabilitation Program. 33
14–301. 34
20 SENATE BILL 972
(a) [To] IN ADDITION TO ANY OT HER REQUIREMENTS UND ER THIS TITLE, TO 1
qualify for a license, an applicant shall be an individual who meets the requirements of this 2
section. 3
(b) The applicant shall be of good moral character. 4
(c) [The] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN § 14–5F–11 OF THIS TITLE, THE applicant 5
shall be at least 18 years old. 6
[(d) Except as provided in § 14–308 of this subtitle, the applicant shall: 7
(1) (i) Have a degree of doctor of medicine from a medical school that is 8
accredited by an accrediting organization that the Board recognizes in its regulations; and 9
(ii) Submit evidence acceptable to the Board of successful completion 10
of 1 year of training in a postgraduate medical training program that is accredited by an 11
accrediting organization that the Board recognizes in its regulations; or 12
(2) (i) Have a degree of doctor of osteopathy from a school of osteopathy 13
in the United States, its territories or possessions, Puerto Rico, or Canada that has 14
standards for graduation equivalent to those established by the American Osteopathic 15
Association; and 16
(ii) Submit evidence acceptable to the Board of successful completion 17
of 1 year of training in a postgraduate medical training program accredited by an 18
accrediting organization that the Board recognizes in its regulations.] 19
(D) THE APPLICANT SHALL C OMPLETE A CRIMINAL H ISTORY RECORDS 20
CHECK IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 14–302 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 21
(e) Except as otherwise provided in this [subtitle] TITLE, the applicant shall 22
[pass an examination required] MEET ANY EDUCATIONAL , CERTIFICATION , TRAINING, 23
OR EXAMINATION REQUI REMENTS ESTABLISHED by the Board. 24
(f) The applicant shall meet any other qualifications that the Board establishes 25
in its regulations for license applicants. 26
[(g) An otherwise qualified applicant who passes the examination after having 27
failed the examination or any part of the examination 3 or more times may qualify for a 28
license only if the applicant: 29
(1) Has successfully completed 2 or more years of a residency or fellowship 30
accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education or the American 31
Osteopathic Association; 32
(2) (i) Has a minimum of 5 years of clinical practice of medicine: 33 SENATE BILL 972 21
1. In the United States or in Canada; 1
2. With at least 3 of the 5 years having occurred within 5 2
years of the date of the application; and 3
3. That occurred under a full unrestricted license to practice 4
medicine; and 5
(ii) Has no disciplinary action pending and has had no disciplinary 6
action taken against the applicant that would be grounds for discipline under § 14–404 of 7
this title; or 8
(3) Is board certified.] 9
[(h)] (G) (1) The Board shall require as part of its examination or licensing 10
procedures that an applicant for a license to practice medicine OR AN ALLIED HEALTH 11
PROFESSION demonstrate an oral AND WRITTEN competency in the English language. 12
(2) Graduation from a recognized English–speaking undergraduate 13
school or high school, including General Education Development (GED), after at least 3 14
years of enrollment, or from a recognized English–speaking professional school is 15
acceptable as proof of proficiency in the oral communication of the English language under 16
this section. 17
(3) By regulation, the Board shall develop a procedure for testing 18
individuals who because of their speech impairment are unable to complete satisfactorily a 19
Board approved standardized test of oral competency. 20
(4) If any disciplinary charges or action that involves a problem with 21
the oral communication of the English language are brought against a licensee under this 22
title, the Board shall require the licensee to take and pass a Board approved standardized 23
test of oral competency. 24
[(i) The applicant shall complete a criminal history records check in accordance 25
with § 14–308.1 of this subtitle. 26
(j) (1) The Board shall license an applicant to practice medicine if: 27
(i) The applicant: 28
1. Became licensed or certified as a physician in another 29
jurisdiction under requirements that the Board determines are substantially equivalent to 30
the licensing requirements of this title; 31
2. Is in good standing under the laws of the other 32
jurisdiction; 33 22 SENATE BILL 972
3. Submits an application to the Board on a form that the 1
Board requires; and 2
4. Pays to the Board an application fee set by the Board; and 3
(ii) The jurisdiction in which the applicant is licensed or certified 4
offers a similar reciprocal licensing process for individuals licensed to practice medicine by 5
the Board. 6
(2) The Board shall adopt regulations to implement this subsection.] 7
14–303. 8
[(a)] To apply for a license UNDER THIS TITLE , an applicant shall: 9
(1) Complete a criminal history records check in accordance with [§ 10
14–308.1] § 14–302 of this subtitle; 11
(2) Submit an application to the Board on the form that the Board requires; 12
and 13
(3) Pay to the Board the application fee set by the Board. 14
[(b) The Board may not release a list of applicants for licensure.] 15
14–304. 16
(b) (1) On receipt of the criminal history record information of an applicant for 17
licensure forwarded to the Board in accordance with [§ 14–308.1] § 14–302 of this subtitle, 18
in determining whether to issue a license, the Board shall consider: 19
(i) The age at which the crime was committed; 20
(ii) The nature of the crime; 21
(iii) The circumstances surrounding the crime; 22
(iv) The length of time that has passed since the crime; 23
(v) Subsequent work history; 24
(vi) Employment and character references; and 25
(vii) Other evidence that demonstrates whether the applicant poses a 26
threat to the public health or safety. 27 SENATE BILL 972 23
(2) The Board may not issue a license if the criminal history record 1
information required under [§ 14–308.1] § 14–302 of this subtitle has not been received. 2
14–305. 3
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this title, a license authorizes the licensee to 4
practice [medicine] IN THIS STATE THE HEALTH OCCU PATION STATED ON THE 5
LICENSE ISSUED BY TH E BOARD while the license is effective. 6
(b) A licensee may practice [medicine] THE HEALTH OCCUPATIO N STATED ON 7
THE LICENSE ISSUED B Y THE BOARD using only the name in which the license is issued. 8
14–306. 9
(a) (1) The term of a license issued by the Board may not exceed 3 years. 10
(2) A license expires on a date set by the Board, unless the license is 11
renewed for [a] AN ADDITIONAL term as provided in this section. 12
(b) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, at least 1 month before the 13
license expires, the Board shall send to the licensee, by electronic or first–class mail to the 14
last known electronic or physical address of the licensee[: 15
(i) A] A renewal notice that states: 16
[1.] (I) The date on which the current license expires; 17
[2.] (II) The date by which the renewal application must be 18
received by the Board for the renewal to be issued and mailed before the license expires; 19
and 20
[3.] (III) The amount of the renewal fee[; and 21
(ii) A blank panel data sheet supplied by the Health Care 22
Alternative Dispute Resolution Office]. 23
(2) If the Board chooses to send renewal notices exclusively by electronic 24
mail under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Board shall send a renewal notice by 25
first–class mail to a licensee on request of the licensee. 26
(c) (1) Before the license expires, the licensee periodically may renew it for an 27
additional term, if the licensee: 28
(i) Otherwise is entitled to be licensed; 29
24 SENATE BILL 972
(ii) Is of good moral character; 1
(iii) Pays to the Board a renewal fee set by the Board; [and] 2
(iv) Submits to the Board: 3
1. A renewal application on the form that the Board requires; 4
and 5
2. Satisfactory evidence of compliance with any continuing 6
education OR COMPETENCY requirements set under this section for license renewal; AND 7
(V) MEETS ANY ADDITIONAL LICENSE RENEWAL 8
REQUIREMENTS ESTABLI SHED BY THE BOARD. 9
(2) Within 30 days after a license renewal under Section 7 of the Interstate 10
Medical Licensure Compact established under § 14–3A–01 of this title, a compact physician 11
shall submit to the Board the information required under paragraph (1)(iv) of this 12
subsection. 13
(d) (1) In addition to any other qualifications and requirements established by 14
the Board, the Board may establish continuing education OR COMPETENCY requirements 15
as a condition to the renewal of licenses under this section. 16
[(2) In establishing these requirements, the Board shall evaluate existing 17
methods, devices, and programs in use among the various medical specialties and other 18
recognized medical groups. 19
(3) The Board shall adopt regulations that allow a licensee seeking renewal 20
to receive up to 5 continuing education credits per renewal period for providing 21
uncompensated, voluntary medical services during each renewal period. 22
(4) The Board may not establish or enforce these requirements if they 23
would so reduce the number of physicians in a community as to jeopardize the availability 24
of adequate medical care in that community.] 25
[(5)] (2) The Board may not establish a continuing education requirement 26
that every licensee complete a specific course or program as a condition to the renewal of a 27
license under this section. 28
[(6) A disciplinary panel may impose a civil penalty of up to $100 per 29
continuing medical education credit in lieu of a sanction under § 14–404 of this title, for a 30
first offense, for the failure of a licensee to obtain the continuing medical education credits 31
required by the Board.] 32
SENATE BILL 972 25
(e) The Board shall renew the license of each licensee who meets the 1
requirements of this section AND ANY ADDITIONAL REQUIREME NTS ESTABLISHED 2
UNDER SUBTITLE 5, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 5G, OR 5H OF THIS TITLE, AS 3
APPLICABLE. 4
[(f) (1) Each licensee shall notify the secretary of the Board in writing of any 5
change in the licensee’s name or address within 60 days after the change. 6
(2) If a licensee fails to notify the secretary of the Board within the time 7
required under this section, the licensee is subject to an administrative penalty of $100.] 8
[(g)] (F) (1) Beginning October 1, 2016, the Board shall require a criminal 9
history records check in accordance with [§ 14–308.1] § 14–302 of this subtitle for: 10
(i) Renewal applicants as determined by regulations adopted by the 11
Board; and 12
(ii) Each former licensee who files for reinstatement under [§ 14–317 13
of this subtitle] THIS TITLE. 14
(2) On receipt of the criminal history record information of a licensee 15
forwarded to the Board in accordance with [§ 14–308.1] § 14–302 of this subtitle, in 16
determining whether disciplinary action should be taken, based on the criminal record 17
information, against a licensee who renewed or reinstated a license, the Board shall 18
consider: 19
(i) The age at which the crime was committed; 20
(ii) The nature of the crime; 21
(iii) The circumstances surrounding the crime; 22
(iv) The length of time that has passed since the crime; 23
(v) Subsequent work history; 24
(vi) Employment and character references; and 25
(vii) Other evidence that demonstrates whether the licensee poses a 26
threat to the public health or safety. 27
(3) The Board may renew or reinstate a license only if the licensee or 28
applicant attests that the licensee or applicant has submitted to a criminal history records 29
check under [§ 14–308.1] § 14–302 of this subtitle. 30
14–307. 31 26 SENATE BILL 972
The Board shall reinstate the license of [a physician] AN INDIVIDUAL who has failed 1
to renew the license for any reason if the [physician] INDIVIDUAL: 2
(1) Meets the renewal requirements of [§ 14–316] § 14–306 of this subtitle 3
AND THE APPLICABLE RENEWAL R EQUIREMENTS IN SUBTITLE 5, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 4
5E, 5F, 5G, OR 5H OF THIS TITLE; 5
(2) SUBMITS A REINSTATEME NT APPLICATION ON TH E FORM THAT 6
THE BOARD REQUIRES ; 7
[(2)] (3) Pays to the Board a reinstatement fee set by the Board; [and] 8
[(3)] (4) Submits to the Board satisfactory evidence of compliance with 9
the qualifications and requirements established under this title for license reinstatements; 10
AND 11
(5) MEETS ANY ADDITIONAL LICENSE REINSTATEMEN T 12
REQUIREMENTS ESTABLI SHED BY THE BOARD. 13
14–401.1. 14
(a) (5) (i) If a complaint proceeds to a hearing under § 14–405 of this 15
subtitle, [§ 14–5A–17, § 14–5B–14, § 14–5C–17, § 14–5D–15, § 14–5E–16, or § 14–5F–21 of 16
this title or § 15–315 of this article,] the chair of the disciplinary panel that was assigned 17
the complaint under paragraph (2)(i) of this subsection shall refer the complaint to the other 18
disciplinary panel. 19
(ii) If the complaint proceeds to a hearing and is referred to the other 20
disciplinary panel under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the disciplinary panel that 21
was assigned the complaint under paragraph (2)(i) of this subsection, or any of its members, 22
may not: 23
1. Continue to handle the complaint; 24
2. Participate in any disciplinary proceedings regarding the 25
complaint; or 26
3. Determine the final disposition of the complaint. 27
[(e)] (B) (1) [In accordance with subsection (f) of this section, the Board shall 28
enter into a written contract with an entity or individual for confidential physician peer 29
review of allegations based on § 14–404(a)(22) of this subtitle. 30
(2) A peer reviewer shall: 31 SENATE BILL 972 27
(i) Be board certified; 1
(ii) Have special qualifications to judge the matter at hand; 2
(iii) Have received a specified amount of medical experience and 3
training; 4
(iv) Have no formal actions against the peer reviewer’s own license; 5
(v) Receive training in peer review; 6
(vi) Have a standard format for peer review reports; and 7
(vii) To the extent practicable, be licensed and engaged in the practice 8
of medicine in the State. 9
(3) The Board may consult with the appropriate specialty health care 10
provider societies in the State to obtain a list of physicians qualified to provide peer review 11
services. 12
(4)] For purposes of peer review, the Board may use sole source 13
procurement under § 13–107 of the State Finance and Procurement Article. 14
[(5)] (2) The hearing of charges may not be stayed or challenged because 15
of the selection of peer reviewers under this subsection before the filing of charges. 16
[(f)] (C) (1) The entity or individual peer reviewer with which the Board 17
contracts under subsection [(e)] (B) of this section OR § 14–514 OF THIS TITLE shall have 18
90 days for completion of peer review. 19
(2) The entity or individual peer reviewer may apply to the Board for an 20
extension of up to 30 days to the time limit imposed under [paragraph (1) of this subsection] 21
§ 14–515(D)(1) OF THIS TITLE. 22
(3) If an extension is not granted, and 90 days have elapsed, the Board may 23
contract with any other entity or individual who meets the requirements of [subsection 24
(e)(2) of this section] § 14–515(D)(2) OF THIS TITLE for the services of peer review. 25
(4) If an extension has been granted, and 120 days have elapsed, the Board 26
may contract with any other entity or individual who meets the requirements of [subsection 27
(e)(2) of this section] § 14–515(D)(2) OF THIS TITLE for the services of peer review. 28
[(g)] (D) The Board shall issue a request for proposals and enter into a written 29
contract with a nonprofit entity to provide rehabilitation services for physicians or other 30
allied health professionals directed by the Board to receive rehabilitation services. 31 28 SENATE BILL 972
[(h)] (E) (1) To facilitate the investigation and prosecution of disciplinary 1
matters and the mediation of fee disputes coming before it, the Board may contract with an 2
entity or entities for the purchase of investigatory, mediation, and related services. 3
(2) Services that may be contracted for under this subsection include the 4
services of: 5
(i) Investigators; 6
(ii) Attorneys; 7
(iii) Accountants; 8
(iv) Expert witnesses; 9
(v) Consultants; and 10
(vi) Mediators. 11
[(i)] (F) The Board or a disciplinary panel may issue subpoenas and administer 12
oaths in connection with any investigation under this section and any hearing or proceeding 13
before it. 14
[(j)] (G) (1) It is the intent of this section that the disposition of every 15
complaint against a licensee that sets forth allegations of grounds for disciplinary action 16
filed with the Board shall be completed as expeditiously as possible and, in any event, 17
within 18 months after the complaint was received by the Board. 18
(2) If a disciplinary panel is unable to complete the disposition of a 19
complaint within 1 year, the Board shall include in the record of that complaint a detailed 20
explanation of the reason for the delay. 21
[(k)] (H) A disciplinary panel, in conducting a meeting with a physician or allied 22
health professional to discuss the proposed disposition of a complaint, shall provide an 23
opportunity to appear before the disciplinary panel to both the licensee who has been 24
charged and the individual who has filed the complaint against the licensee giving rise to 25
the charge. 26
14–401.2. 27
(e) A disciplinary panel may issue a cease and desist order or obtain injunctive 28
relief against an individual for: 29
(1) Practicing a profession regulated under this title [or Title 15 of this 30
article] without a license OR WITH AN UNAUTHORI ZED PERSON; 31 SENATE BILL 972 29
(2) Representing to the public, by title, description of services, methods, 1
procedures, or otherwise, that the individual is authorized to practice: 2
(i) Medicine in this State, in violation of [§ 14–602] § 14–528 of this 3
title; 4
(ii) Respiratory care in this State, in violation of § 14–5A–21 of this 5
title; 6
(iii) Radiation therapy, radiography, nuclear medicine technology, or 7
radiation assistance in this State, in violation of § 14–5B–18 of this title; 8
(iv) Polysomnography in this State, in violation of § 14–5C–21 of this 9
title; 10
(v) Athletic training in this State, in violation of § 14–5D–17(3) of 11
this title; 12
(vi) Perfusion in this State, in violation of § 14–5E–21 of this title; 13
(vii) Naturopathic medicine in this State, in violation of § 14–5F–30 14
of this title; [or] 15
(viii) GENETIC COUNSELING IN THIS STATE, IN VIOLATION OF § 16
14–5G–24 OF THIS TITLE; OR 17
(IX) As a physician assistant in this State, in violation of [§ 15–402 of 18
this article] § 14–5H–19 OF THIS TITLE; or 19
(3) Taking any action: 20
(i) For which a disciplinary panel determines there is a 21
preponderance of evidence of grounds for discipline under [§ 14–404] § 14–515 of this title; 22
and 23
(ii) That poses a serious risk to the health, safety, and welfare of a 24
patient. 25
14–402. 26
(a) In reviewing an application for licensure or in investigating an allegation 27
brought against a licensed physician or any allied health professional regulated by the 28
Board under this title, the [Physician] Rehabilitation Program may request the Board to 29
direct, or the Board or a disciplinary panel on its own initiative may direct, the licensed 30 30 SENATE BILL 972
physician or any allied health professional regulated by the Board under this title to submit 1
to an appropriate examination. 2
(c) The unreasonable failure or refusal of the licensed individual OR APPLICANT 3
to submit to an examination is prima facie evidence of the licensed individual’s OR 4
APPLICANT’S inability to practice medicine or the respective discipline competently, unless 5
the Board or disciplinary panel finds that the failure or refusal was beyond the control of 6
the licensed individual OR APPLICANT . 7
(e) (1) The Board or the entity or entities with which the Board contracts shall 8
appoint the members of the [Physician] Rehabilitation Program. 9
(2) The chair of the Board shall appoint one member of the Board to serve 10
as a liaison to the [Physician] Rehabilitation Program. 11
(f) The [Physician] Rehabilitation Program is subject to audit by the Legislative 12
Auditor as provided in § 2–1220 of the State Government Article. 13
14–404. 14
SUBJECT TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT AND THE HEARING 15
PROVISIONS OF § 14–405 OF THIS SUBTITLE , A DISCIPLINARY PANEL MAY DENY A 16
LICENSE TO AN APPLIC ANT OR, IF AN APPLICANT HAS FAILED TO RENEW THE 17
APPLICANT’S LICENSE, REFUSE TO RENEW OR REINSTATE A N APPLICANT’S LICENSE 18
FOR ANY OF THE REASO NS THAT ARE GROUNDS FOR ACTION UNDER § 14–515, § 19
14–5A–17, § 14–5B–14, § 14–5C–17, § 14–5D–14, § 14–5E–16, § 14–5F–18, § 20
14–5G–18, OR § 14–5H–16 OF THIS TITLE, AS APPLICABLE. 21
14–405. 22
(a) Except as otherwise provided in the Administrative Procedure Act, before the 23
Board or a disciplinary panel takes any action under [§ 14–404(a)] § 14–404 of this subtitle 24
or [§ 14–205(b)(3),] § 14–515(A), § 14–5A–17(a), § 14–5B–14(a), § 14–5C–17(a), § 25
14–5D–14(a), § 14–5E–16(a), [or] § 14–5F–18, § 14–5G–18, OR § 14–5H–16 of this title, 26
it shall give the individual against whom the action is contemplated an opportunity for a 27
hearing before a hearing officer. 28
[(g)] (F) The hearing of charges may not be stayed or challenged by any 29
procedural defects alleged to have occurred prior to the filing of charges. 30
14–406. 31
(a) Following the filing of charges, if a majority of the quorum of a disciplinary 32
panel finds that there are grounds for action under [§ 14–404] § 14–515, § 14–5A–17, § 33
14–5B–14, § 14–5C–17, § 14–5D–14, § 14–5E–16, § 14–5F–18, § 14–5G–18, OR § 34 SENATE BILL 972 31
14–5H–16 of this [subtitle] TITLE, the disciplinary panel shall pass an order in accordance 1
with the Administrative Procedure Act. 2
(b) After the charges are filed, if a disciplinary panel finds, on an affirmative vote 3
of a majority of its quorum, that there are no grounds for action under [§ 14–404] § 4
14–515, § 14–5A–17, § 14–5B–14, § 14–5C–17, § 14–5D–14, § 14–5E–16, § 14–5F–18, 5
§ 14–5G–18, OR § 14–5H–16 of this [subtitle] TITLE, the disciplinary panel: 6
(1) Immediately shall dismiss the charges and exonerate the licensee; 7
(2) (i) Except as provided in item (ii) of this item, shall expunge all 8
records of the charges 3 years after the charges are dismissed; or 9
(ii) If the physician OR ALLIED HEALTH PRO FESSIONAL executes 10
a document releasing the Board from any liability related to the charges, shall immediately 11
expunge all records of the charges; and 12
(3) May not take any further action on the charges. 13
14–409. 14
(a) (1) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a disciplinary panel, 15
ON THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF A MAJ ORITY OF THE QUORUM OF THE DISCIPLINARY 16
PANEL, may reinstate the license of an individual whose license has been surrendered or 17
revoked under this title only in accordance with: 18
(i) The terms and conditions of the order of revocation or letter of 19
surrender; 20
(ii) An order of reinstatement issued by the disciplinary panel; or 21
(iii) A final judgment in any proceeding for review. 22
(2) If a license is surrendered or revoked for a period of more than 1 year, 23
the Board OR A DISCIPLINARY PANEL may reinstate the license after 1 year if the licensee: 24
(i) Meets the requirements for reinstatement as established by the 25
Board; and 26
(ii) Completes a criminal history records check in accordance with [§ 27
14–308.1] § 14–302 of this title. 28
(c) If an order of revocation is based on [§ 14–404(b)] § 14–515(B), § 29
14–5A–17(B), § 14–5B–14(B), § 14–5C–17(B), § 14–5D–14(B), § 14–5E–16(B), § 30
14–5F–18(B), § 14–5G–18(B), OR § 14–5H–16(B) of this [subtitle] TITLE, and the 31 32 SENATE BILL 972
conviction or plea subsequently is overturned at any stage of an appeal or other 1
postconviction proceeding, the revocation ends when the conviction or plea is overturned. 2
14–411. 3
(d) The Board shall disclose any information contained in a record to: 4
(1) A committee of a hospital, health maintenance organization, or related 5
institution if: 6
(i) The committee of a medical hospital staff concerned with 7
[physician] LICENSEE discipline or other committee of a hospital, health maintenance 8
organization, or related institution requests the information in writing; 9
(ii) A disciplinary panel has issued an order as to a [licensed 10
physician] LICENSEE on whom the information is requested; and 11
(iii) The Board determines that the information requested is 12
necessary for an investigation or action of the committee as to a medical privilege of a 13
[licensed physician] LICENSEE; or 14
(2) The Secretary, the Office of Health Care Quality in the Department, 15
the Maryland Health Care Commission, or the Health Services Cost Review Commission 16
for the purpose of investigating quality or utilization of care in any entity regulated by the 17
Office of Health Care Quality or the Health Services Cost Review Commission. 18
(g) (1) The Board shall notify all hospitals, health maintenance organizations, 19
or other health care facilities where a [physician or an allied health professional] 20
LICENSEE regulated by the Board has privileges, has a provider contract with a health 21
maintenance organization, or is employed of a complaint or report filed against that 22
[physician] LICENSEE, if: 23
(i) The Board determines, in its discretion, that the hospital, health 24
maintenance organization, or health care facility should be informed about the report or 25
complaint; 26
(ii) The nature of the complaint suggests a reasonable possibility of 27
an imminent threat to patient safety; or 28
(iii) The complaint or report was as a result of a claim filed in the 29
Health Care Alternative Dispute Resolution Office and a certificate of a qualified expert is 30
filed in accordance with § 3–2A–04(b)(1) of the Courts Article. 31
(2) The Board shall disclose any information pertaining to a [physician’s] 32
LICENSEE’S competency to practice [medicine] UNDER THE LICENSE contained in record 33 SENATE BILL 972 33
to a committee of a hospital, health maintenance organization, or other health care facility 1
if: 2
(i) The committee is concerned with [physician] LICENSEE 3
discipline and requests the information in writing; and 4
(ii) The Board has received a complaint or report pursuant to 5
paragraph (1)(i) and (ii) of this subsection on the [licensed physician] LICENSEE on whom 6
the information is requested. 7
(3) The Board shall, after formal action is taken pursuant to § 14–406 of 8
this subtitle, notify those hospitals, health maintenance organizations, or health care 9
facilities where the [physician] LICENSEE has privileges, has a provider contract with a 10
health maintenance organization, or is employed of its formal action within 10 days after 11
the action is taken and shall provide the hospital, health maintenance organization, or 12
health care facility with periodic reports as to enforcement or monitoring of a formal 13
disciplinary order against a [physician] LICENSEE within 10 days after receipt of those 14
reports. 15
(h) On the request of a person who has made a complaint to the Board regarding 16
a [physician] LICENSEE, the Board shall provide the person with information on the status 17
of the complaint. 18
(j) The Board may disclose any information contained in a record to a licensing 19
or disciplinary authority of another state if: 20
(1) The licensing or disciplinary authority of another state that regulates 21
[licensed physicians] LICENSEES in that state requests the information in writing; and 22
(2) The disclosure of any information is limited to the pendency of an 23
allegation of a ground for disciplinary or other action by a disciplinary panel until: 24
(i) The disciplinary panel has passed an order under § 14–406 of 25
this subtitle; or 26
(ii) A [licensed physician] LICENSEE on whom the information is 27
requested authorizes a disclosure as to the facts of an allegation or the results of an 28
investigation before the Board. 29
(k) The Board may disclose any information contained in a record to a person if: 30
(1) A [licensed physician] LICENSEE on whom any information is 31
requested authorizes the person to receive the disclosure; 32
(2) The person requests the information in writing; and 33
34 SENATE BILL 972
(3) The authorization for the disclosure is in writing. 1
(p) (1) The Board may publish a summary of any allegations of grounds for 2
disciplinary or other action. 3
(2) A summary may not identify: 4
(i) Any person who makes an allegation to the Board or any of its 5
investigatory bodies; 6
(ii) A [licensed physician] LICENSEE about whom an allegation is 7
made; or 8
(iii) A witness in an investigation or a proceeding before the Board or 9
any of its investigatory bodies. 10
14–411.1. 11
(b) The Board shall create and maintain a public individual profile on each 12
licensee that includes the following information: 13
(1) A summary of charges filed against the licensee, including a copy of the 14
charging document, until a disciplinary panel has taken action under [§ 14–404] § 14–515 15
of this subtitle based on the charges or has rescinded the charges; 16
(2) A description of any disciplinary action taken by the Board or a 17
disciplinary panel against the licensee within the most recent 10–year period that includes 18
a copy of the public order; 19
(3) A description in summary form of any final disciplinary action taken by 20
a licensing board in any other state or jurisdiction against the licensee within the most 21
recent 10–year period; 22
(4) A description of a conviction or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo 23
contendere by the licensee for a crime involving moral turpitude reported to the Board 24
under § 14–416 of this subtitle; and 25
[(5) As reported to the Board by the licensee, education and practice 26
information about the licensee including: 27
(i) The name of any medical school that the licensee attended and 28
the date on which the licensee graduated from the school; 29
(ii) A description of any internship and residency training; 30
SENATE BILL 972 35
(iii) A description of any specialty board certification by a recognized 1
board of the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic 2
Association; 3
(iv) The name of any hospital where the licensee has medical 4
privileges; 5
(v) The location of the licensee’s primary practice setting; 6
(vi) Whether the licensee participates in the Maryland Medical 7
Assistance Program; 8
(vii) Whether the licensee maintains medical professional liability 9
insurance; and 10
(viii) The number of medical malpractice final court judgments and 11
arbitration awards against the licensee within the most recent 10–year period.] 12
(5) FOR A PHYSICIAN, THE INFORMATION REQU IRED UNDER § 14–516 13
OF THIS TITLE. 14
(c) In addition to the requirements of subsection (b) of this section, the Board 15
shall: 16
(1) FOLLOWING THE FILING OF CHARGES OR NOTICE OF INITIAL 17
DENIAL OF A LICENSE APPLICATION, DISCLOSE THE FILING TO THE PUBLIC ON THE 18
BOARD’S WEBSITE; 19
(2) Provide appropriate and accessible Internet links from the Board’s 20
[Internet site] WEBSITE: 21
(i) To the extent available, to the appropriate portion of the 22
[Internet site] WEBSITE of each health maintenance organization licensed in this State 23
which will allow the public to ascertain the names of the physicians affiliated with the 24
health maintenance organization; and 25
(ii) To the appropriate portion of the [Internet site] WEBSITE of the 26
American Medical Association; 27
[(2)] (3) Include a statement on each licensee’s profile of information to 28
be taken into consideration by a consumer when viewing a licensee’s profile, including 29
factors to consider when evaluating a licensee’s malpractice data, and a disclaimer stating 30
that a charging document does not indicate a final finding of guilt by a disciplinary panel; 31
and 32
[(3)] (4) Provide on the Board’s [Internet site] WEBSITE: 33 36 SENATE BILL 972
(i) Notification that a person may contact the Board by telephone, 1
electronic mail, or written request to find out whether the number of medical malpractice 2
settlements involving a particular licensee totals three or more with a settlement amount 3
of $150,000 or greater within the most recent 5–year period as reported to the Board; and 4
(ii) A telephone number, electronic mail address, and physical 5
address through which a person may contact the Board to request the information required 6
to be provided under item (i) of this item. 7
(d) The Board: 8
(1) On receipt of a written request for a licensee’s profile from any person, 9
shall forward a written copy of the profile to the person; 10
(2) Shall maintain a website that serves as a single point of entry where 11
all physician AND ALLIED HEALTH PR OFESSIONAL profile information is available to the 12
public on the Internet; and 13
(3) On receipt of a verbal, electronic, or written request in accordance with 14
subsection [(c)(3)] (C)(4) of this section, shall provide the information within 2 business 15
days of the request. 16
14–413. 17
(A) A person may not make any false statement, report, or representation to the 18
Board or a disciplinary panel. 19
(B) (1) A PERSON WHO VIOLATES ANY PROVISION OF TH IS SUBTITLE IS 20
GUILTY OF A MISDEMEA NOR AND ON CONVICTIO N IS SUBJECT TO A FI NE NOT 21
EXCEEDING $5,000 OR IMPRISONMENT NOT EXCEEDING 5 YEARS OR BOTH . 22
(2) THE BOARD SHALL PAY ANY P ENALTY COLLECTED UND ER THIS 23
SECTION INTO THE BOARD OF PHYSICIANS FUND. 24
14–416. 25
(a) Each court shall report to the Board each conviction of or entry of a plea of 26
guilty or nolo contendere by a [physician] LICENSEE for any crime involving moral 27
turpitude. 28
14–417. 29
(A) (1) EACH LICENSEE SHALL N OTIFY THE SECRETARY OF THE BOARD 30
IN WRITING OF ANY CHANG E IN THE LICENSEE’S NAME OR ADDRESS WI THIN 60 DAYS 31
AFTER THE CHANGE . 32 SENATE BILL 972 37
(2) IF A LICENSEE FAILS T O NOTIFY THE SECRETA RY OF THE BOARD 1
WITHIN THE TIME REQU IRED UNDER THIS SECT ION, THE LICENSEE IS SUBJ ECT TO 2
AN ADMINISTRATIVE PE NALTY OF $100. 3
(B) A DISCIPLINARY PANEL M AY IMPOSE A CIVIL PE NALTY OF UP TO $100 4
PER CONTINUING MEDIC AL EDUCATION CREDIT IN LIEU OF A SANCTIO N FOR A FIRST 5
OFFENSE FOR THE FAIL URE OF A LICENSEE TO OBTAIN THE CONTINUIN G MEDICAL 6
EDUCATION CREDITS RE QUIRED BY THE BOARD. 7
Subtitle 5. [Miscellaneous Provisions] PHYSICIANS. 8
14–503. 9
(c) (1) The Board shall adopt rules and regulations to delineate the scope of 10
this section. 11
(2) Before it adopts any rule or regulation under this section, the Board 12
shall invite and consider proposals from any individual or health group that could be 13
affected by the rule or regulation. 14
(e) Except as otherwise provided in this section, an individual may perform 15
X–ray duties without a license TO PRACTICE MEDICINE only if the duties: 16
(1) Do not include: 17
(i) Computerized or noncomputerized tomography; 18
(ii) Fluoroscopy; 19
(iii) Invasive radiology; 20
(iv) Mammography; 21
(v) Nuclear medicine; 22
(vi) Radiation therapy; or 23
(vii) Xerography; 24
(2) Are limited to X–ray procedures of the: 25
(i) Chest, anterior–posterior and lateral; 26
(ii) Spine, anterior–posterior and lateral; or 27
38 SENATE BILL 972
(iii) Extremities, anterior–posterior and lateral, not including the 1
head; and 2
(3) Are performed: 3
(i) By an individual who is not employed primarily to perform 4
X–ray duties; 5
(ii) In the medical office of the physician who delegates the duties; 6
and 7
(iii) 1. By an individual who, before October 1, 2002, has: 8
A. Taken a course consisting of at least 30 hours of training 9
in performing X–ray procedures approved by the Maryland Radiological Society in 10
consultation with the Maryland Society of Radiologic Technologists; and 11
B. Successfully passed an examination based on that course 12
that has been approved by the Maryland Radiological Society in consultation with the 13
Maryland Society of Radiologic Technologists; or 14
2. By a licensed physician assistant who has completed a 15
course that includes anterior–posterior and lateral radiographic studies of extremities on 16
at least 20 separate patients under the direct supervision of the delegating physician or 17
radiologist using a mini C–arm or similar low–level radiation machine to perform 18
nonfluoroscopic X–ray procedures, if the duties: 19
A. Include only the X–ray procedures described in paragraph 20
(2)(iii) of this subsection; and 21
B. Are performed pursuant to a Board–approved delegation 22
agreement that includes a request to perform advanced duties under [§ 15–302(c)(2)] § 23
14–5H–08(C)(2) of this [article] TITLE. 24
14–504. 25
(A) TO QUALIFY FOR A LICE NSE TO PRACTICE MEDI CINE AS A PHYSICIAN IN 26
THE STATE, AN APPLICANT SHALL B E AN INDIVIDUAL WHO MEETS THE 27
REQUIREMENTS OF § 14–301 OF THIS TITLE AND TH IS SECTION. 28
(B) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN § 14–505 OF THIS SUBTITLE , THE APPLICANT 29
SHALL: 30
(1) (I) HAVE A DEGREE OF DOCT OR OF MEDICINE FROM A 31
MEDICAL SCHOOL THAT IS ACCREDITED BY AN ACCREDITING ORGANIZA TION THAT 32
THE BOARD RECOGNIZES IN I TS REGULATIONS ; AND 33 SENATE BILL 972 39
(II) SUBMIT EVIDENCE ACCEP TABLE TO THE BOARD OF 1
SUCCESSFUL COMPLETIO N OF 1 YEAR OF TRAINING IN A P OSTGRADUATE MEDICAL 2
TRAINING PROGRAM THA T IS ACCREDITED BY A N ACCREDITING ORGANI ZATION 3
THAT THE BOARD RECOGNIZES IN I TS REGULATIONS ; OR 4
(2) (I) HAVE A DEGREE OF DOCT OR OF OSTEOPATHY FRO M A 5
SCHOOL OF OSTEOPATHY IN THE UNITED STATES, ITS TERRITORIES OR 6
POSSESSIONS, PUERTO RICO, OR CANADA THAT HAS STAND ARDS FOR GRADUATION 7
EQUIVALENT TO THOSE ESTABLISHED BY THE AMERICAN OSTEOPATHIC 8
ASSOCIATION; AND 9
(II) SUBMIT EVIDENCE ACCEP TABLE TO THE BOARD OF 10
SUCCESSFUL COMPLETIO N OF 1 YEAR OF TRAI NING IN A POSTGRADUA TE MEDICAL 11
TRAINING PROGRAM ACC REDITED BY AN ACCRED ITING ORGANIZATION T HAT THE 12
BOARD RECOGNIZES IN I TS REGULATIONS . 13
(C) IF AN EXAMINATION IS REQUIRED FOR A LICEN SE TO PRACTICE 14
MEDICINE, AN OTHERWISE QUALIFI ED APPLICANT WHO PAS SES THE EXAMINATION 15
AFTER HAVING FAILED THE EXAMINATION OR A NY PART OF THE EXAMI NATION 16
THREE OR MORE TIMES MAY QUALIFY FOR A LI CENSE ONLY IF THE AP PLICANT: 17
(1) HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMP LETED 2 OR MORE YEARS OF A 18
RESIDENCY OR FELLOWS HIP ACCREDITED BY TH E ACCREDITATI ON COUNCIL ON 19
GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION OR THE AMERICAN OSTEOPATHIC ASSOCIATION; 20
(2) (I) HAS A MINIMUM OF 5 YEARS OF CLINICAL PR ACTICE OF 21
MEDICINE: 22
1. IN THE UNITED STATES OR IN CANADA; 23
2. WITH AT LEAST 3 OF THE 5 YEARS HAVING OCCURRE D 24
WITHIN 5 YEARS OF THE DATE OF THE APPLICATION ; AND 25
3. THAT OCCURRED UNDER A FULL UNRESTRICTED 26
LICENSE TO PRACTICE MEDICINE; AND 27
(II) HAS NO DISCIPLINARY A CTION PENDING AND HA S HAD NO 28
DISCIPLINARY ACTION TAKEN AGAINST THE AP PLICANT THAT WOULD B E GROUNDS 29
FOR DISCIPLINE UNDER § 14–515 OF THIS SUBTITLE; OR 30
(3) IS BOARD CERTIFIED . 31
40 SENATE BILL 972
(D) (1) THE BOARD SHALL LICENSE A N APPLICANT TO PRACT ICE 1
MEDICINE IF: 2
(I) THE APPLICANT: 3
1. BECAME LICENSED OR CE RTIFIED AS A PHYSICI AN IN 4
ANOTHER JURISDICTION UNDER REQUIREMENTS THAT THE BOARD DETERMINES 5
ARE SUBSTANTIALLY EQ UIVALENT TO THE LICE NSING REQUIREMENTS O F THIS 6
TITLE; 7
2. IS IN GOOD STANDING U NDER THE LAWS OF THE 8
OTHER JURISDICTION ; 9
3. SUBMITS AN APPLICATIO N TO THE BOARD ON A FORM 10
THAT THE BOARD REQUI RES; AND 11
4. PAYS TO THE BOARD AN APPLICATION FEE SET BY 12
THE BOARD; AND 13
(II) THE JURISDICTION IN W HICH THE APPLICANT I S LICENSED 14
OR CERTIFIED OFFERS A SIMILAR RECIPROCAL LICENSING PROCESS FO R 15
INDIVIDUALS LICENSED TO PRACTICE MEDICINE BY THE BOARD. 16
(2) THE BOARD SHALL ADOPT REG ULATIONS TO IMPLEMEN T THIS 17
SUBSECTION. 18
(E) (1) IN ESTABLISHING ANY C ONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS 19
FOR THE RENEWAL OF A LICENSE, THE BOARD SHALL EVALUATE EXISTING 20
METHODS, DEVICES, AND PROGRAMS IN USE AMONG THE VARIOUS MEDICAL 21
SPECIALTIES AND OTHE R RECOGNIZED MEDICAL GROUPS. 22
(2) THE BOARD SHALL ADOPT REG ULATIONS THAT ALLOW A 23
LICENSEE SEEKING REN EWAL TO RECEIVE UP T O 5 CONTINUING EDUCATION 24
CREDITS PER RENEWAL PERIOD FOR PROVIDING UNCOMPENSATED , VOLUNTARY 25
MEDICAL SERVIC ES DURING EACH RENEW AL PERIOD. 26
(3) THE BOARD MAY NOT ESTABLI SH OR ENFORCE THESE 27
REQUIREMENTS IF THEY WOULD SO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PHYSICIANS IN A 28
COMMUNITY AS TO JEOP ARDIZE THE AVAILABIL ITY OF ADEQUATE MEDI CAL CARE IN 29
THAT COMMUNITY 30
14–505. 31
SENATE BILL 972 41
(b) An applicant for a license TO PRACTICE MEDICINE is exempt from the 1
educational requirements of [§ 14–307] § 14–301 OF THIS TITLE AND § 14–504 of this 2
subtitle, if the applicant: 3
(1) Has studied medicine at a foreign medical school; 4
(2) Is certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical 5
Graduates or by its successor as approved by the Board; 6
(3) Passes a qualifying examination for foreign medical school graduates 7
required by the Board; 8
(4) Meets any other qualifications for foreign medical school graduates that 9
the Board establishes in its regulation for licensing of applicants; 10
(5) Submits acceptable evidence to the Board of the requirements set in the 11
Board’s regulations; and 12
(6) Meets one of the following requirements: 13
(i) The applicant graduated from any foreign medical school and 14
submits evidence acceptable to the Board of successful completion of 2 years of training in 15
a postgraduate medical education program accredited by an accrediting organization 16
recognized by the Board; or 17
(ii) The applicant successfully completed a fifth pathway program 18
and submits evidence acceptable to the Board that the applicant: 19
1. Has a document issued by the foreign medical school 20
certifying that the applicant completed all of the formal requirements of that school for the 21
study of medicine, except for the postgraduate or social service components as required by 22
the foreign country or its medical school; 23
2. Has successfully completed a fifth pathway program; and 24
3. Has successfully completed 2 years of training in a 25
postgraduate medical education program following completion of a Board approved fifth 26
pathway program. 27
14–506. 28
(a) An applicant who otherwise qualifies for a license TO PRACTICE MEDICINE 29
under this title is entitled to sit for an examination as provided under this section or any 30
regulations adopted to carry out this section. 31
14–510. 32
42 SENATE BILL 972
(a) The Board may: 1
(1) License TO PRACTICE MEDICINE an applicant by virtue of the 2
conceded eminence and authority of the applicant in the profession if the applicant: 3
(i) Is recommended to the Board by: 4
1. The dean of a school of medicine in the State; or 5
2. The Director of the National Institutes of Health; 6
(ii) Is to receive an appointment at the institution making the 7
recommendation under item (i) of this paragraph; and 8
(iii) Meets any other requirement the Board may adopt by regulation 9
under this section; 10
(2) Define by regulation the term “conceded eminence and authority in the 11
profession” and, for this purpose, shall consider such criteria as: 12
(i) Academic appointments; 13
(ii) Length of time in the profession; 14
(iii) Scholarly publications; and 15
(iv) Professional accomplishments; 16
(3) Adopt regulations concerning the further qualifications of an applicant 17
for licensure, including conditions of employment, application procedures, and fees under 18
this section; 19
(4) Allow an exception to the general education and examination 20
requirements of [§ 14–307(d) and (e)] § 14–301(E) OF THIS TITLE AND § 14–504(B) of 21
this subtitle, but may not permit waiver of the requirements of [§ 14–307(a) through (c)] § 22
14–301(A) THROUGH (C) of this [subtitle] TITLE; 23
(5) Qualify, restrict, or otherwise limit a license granted under this section; 24
and 25
(6) Require a 6–month probationary period during which the medical 26
services performed by the applicant granted a license under this section are supervised by 27
another licensed physician. 28
14–511. 29
SENATE BILL 972 43
(b) The Board shall issue a license to an individual who is on inactive status if the 1
individual: 2
(1) Submits to the Board: 3
(i) Satisfactory evidence of compliance with [§ 14–308.1] § 14–302 4
of this [subtitle] TITLE; 5
(ii) Satisfactory evidence of compliance with the continuing 6
education requirements the Board adopts for this purpose; and 7
(iii) A reinstatement fee set by the Board; and 8
(2) Is otherwise entitled to be licensed. 9
14–513. 10
(C) A PERSON WHO VIOLATES ANY PROVISION OF THI S SECTION IS GUILTY 11
OF A MISDEMEANOR AND ON CONVICTION IS SUBJECT TO A FINE NO T EXCEEDING 12
$500. 13
(D) THE BOARD SHALL PAY ANY P ENALTY COLLECTED UND ER THIS 14
SECTION INTO THE BOARD OF PHYSICIANS FUND. 15
14–514. 16
(A) IF AN ALLEGATION OF G ROUNDS FOR DISCIPLIN ARY OR OTHER ACTION 17
IS MADE BY A PATIENT OR A FAMILY MEMBER OF A PATIENT BASED O N § 18
14–515(A)(22) OF THIS SUBTITLE AND A FULL INVESTIGATION RESULTS FROM THAT 19
ALLEGATION, THE FULL INVESTIGATI ON SHALL INCLUDE AN OFFER OF AN 20
INTERVIEW WITH THE P ATIENT OR A FAMILY M EMBER OF THE PATIENT WHO WAS 21
PRESENT AT OR ABOUT THE TIME THAT THE INCIDE NT THAT GAVE RISE TO THE 22
ALLEGATION OCCURRED . 23
(B) (1) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE P ROVIDED IN THIS SUBS ECTION, AFTER 24
BEING ASSIGNED A COM PLAINT UNDER § 14–401.1 OF THIS TITLE , THE 25
DISCIPLINARY PANEL M AY: 26
(I) REFER AN ALLEGATION F OR FURTHE R INVESTIGATION TO 27
THE ENTITY THAT HAS CONTRACTED WITH THE BOARD UNDER SUBSECTIO N (D) OF 28
THIS SECTION; OR 29
(II) TAKE ANY APPROPRIATE AND IMMEDIATE ACTION AS 30
NECESSARY. 31 44 SENATE BILL 972
(2) (I) IF, AFTER BEING ASSIGNED A COMPLAINT AND 1
COMPLETING THE PRELI MINARY INVEST IGATION, THE DISCIPLINARY PAN EL FINDS 2
THAT THE LICENSEE MA Y HAVE VIOLATED § 14–515(A)(22) OF THIS SUBTITLE , THE 3
DISCIPLINARY PANEL S HALL REFER THE ALLEG ATION TO THE ENTITY OR ENTITIES 4
THAT HAVE CONTRACTED WITH THE BOARD UNDER SUBSECTIO N (D) OF THIS 5
SECTION FOR FURTHER INVESTIG ATION AND PHYSICIAN PEER REVIEW WITHIN T HE 6
INVOLVED MEDICAL SPE CIALTY OR SPECIALTIE S. 7
(II) A DISCIPLINARY PANEL S HALL OBTAIN TWO PEER REVIEW 8
REPORTS FROM THE ENT ITY OR INDIVIDUAL WI TH WHOM THE BOARD CONTRACTED 9
UNDER SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION FOR EACH ALLEGATION THE 10
DISCIPLINARY PANEL R EFERS FOR PEER REVIE W. 11
(3) IF, AFTER BEING ASSIGNED A COMPLAINT , THE DISCIPLINARY 12
PANEL DETERMINES THA T AN ALLEGATION INVO LVING FEES FOR PROFE SSIONAL OR 13
ANCILLARY SERVICES D OES NOT CONSTITUTE G ROUNDS FOR DISCIPLIN ARY OR 14
OTHER ACTION , THE DISCIPLINARY PAN EL SHALL OFFER THE C OMPLAINANT AND 15
THE LICENSEE AN OPPO RTUNITY TO MEDIATE T HE DISPUTE. 16
(C) COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIET IES SHALL REFER TO T HE BOARD ALL 17
COMPLAINTS THAT SET FORTH ALLEGATIONS OF GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINARY 18
ACTION UNDER § 14–515 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 19
(D) (1) IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 14–401.1(C) OF THIS TITLE, THE BOARD 20
SHALL ENTER INTO A W RITTEN CONTRACT WITH AN ENTITY OR INDIVID UAL FOR 21
CONFIDENTIAL PHYSICI AN PEER REVIEW OF AL LEGATIONS BASED ON § 22
14–515(A)(22) OF THIS SUBTITLE. 23
(2) A PEER REVIEWER SHALL : 24
(I) BE BOARD CERTIFIED ; 25
(II) HAVE SPECIAL QUALIFIC ATIONS TO JUDGE THE MATTER AT 26
HAND; 27
(III) HAVE RECEIVED A SPECI FIED AMOUNT OF MEDIC AL 28
EXPERIENCE AND TRAIN ING; 29
(IV) HAVE NO FORMAL ACTIONS AGAINST THE PEER REVIEWER ’S 30
OWN LICENSE; 31
(V) RECEIVE TRAINING IN P EER REVIEW; 32 SENATE BILL 972 45
(VI) HAVE A STANDARD FORMA T FOR PEER REVIEW RE PORTS; 1
AND 2
(VII) TO THE EXTENT PRACTIC ABLE, BE LICENSED AND ENGA GED 3
IN THE PRACTICE OF M EDICINE IN THE STATE. 4
(3) THE BOARD MAY CONSULT WIT H THE APPROPRIATE SP ECIALTY 5
HEALTH CARE PROVIDER SOCIETIES IN THE STATE TO OBTAIN A LIS T OF PHYSICIANS 6
QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE PEER REVIEW SERVICES . 7
14–515. 8
(a) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 14–405 of this [subtitle] TITLE, a 9
disciplinary panel, on the affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum of the disciplinary 10
panel, may reprimand any licensee, place any licensee on probation, or suspend or revoke 11
a license if the licensee: 12
(1) Fraudulently or deceptively obtains or attempts to obtain a license for 13
the applicant or licensee or for another; 14
(2) Fraudulently or deceptively uses a license; 15
(3) Is guilty of: 16
(i) Immoral conduct in the practice of medicine; or 17
(ii) Unprofessional conduct in the practice of medicine; 18
(4) Is professionally, physically, or mentally incompetent; 19
(5) Solicits or advertises in violation of [§ 14–503] § 14–513 of this [title] 20
SUBTITLE; 21
(6) Abandons a patient; 22
(7) Habitually is intoxicated; 23
(8) Is addicted to, or habitually abuses, any narcotic or controlled 24
dangerous substance as defined in § 5–101 of the Criminal Law Article; 25
(9) Provides professional services: 26
(i) While under the influence of alcohol; or 27
46 SENATE BILL 972
(ii) While using any narcotic or controlled dangerous substance, as 1
defined in § 5–101 of the Criminal Law Article, or other drug that is in excess of therapeutic 2
amounts or without valid medical indication; 3
(10) Promotes the sale of drugs, devices, appliances, or goods to a patient so 4
as to exploit the patient for financial gain; 5
(11) Willfully makes or files a false report or record in the practice of 6
medicine; 7
(12) Willfully fails to file or record any medical report as required under law, 8
willfully impedes or obstructs the filing or recording of the report, or induces another to fail 9
to file or record the report; 10
(13) On proper request, and in accordance with the provisions of Title 4, 11
Subtitle 3 of the Health – General Article, fails to provide details of a patient’s medical 12
record to the patient, another physician, or hospital; 13
(14) Solicits professional patronage through an agent or other person or 14
profits from the acts of a person who is represented as an agent of the physician; 15
(15) Pays or agrees to pay any sum to any person for bringing or referring a 16
patient or accepts or agrees to accept any sum from any person for bringing or referring a 17
patient; 18
(16) Agrees with a clinical or bioanalytical laboratory to make payments to 19
the laboratory for a test or test series for a patient, unless the licensed physician discloses 20
on the bill to the patient or third–party payor: 21
(i) The name of the laboratory; 22
(ii) The amount paid to the laboratory for the test or test series; and 23
(iii) The amount of procurement or processing charge of the licensed 24
physician, if any, for each specimen taken; 25
(17) Makes a willful misrepresentation in treatment; 26
(18) Practices medicine with an unauthorized person or aids an 27
unauthorized person in the practice of medicine; 28
(19) Grossly overutilizes health care services; 29
(20) Offers, undertakes, or agrees to cure or treat disease by a secret 30
method, treatment, or medicine; 31
SENATE BILL 972 47
(21) Is disciplined by a licensing or disciplinary authority or convicted or 1
disciplined by a court of any state or country or disciplined by any branch of the United 2
States uniformed services or the Veterans’ Administration for an act that would be grounds 3
for disciplinary action under this section; 4
(22) Fails to meet appropriate standards as determined by appropriate peer 5
review for the delivery of quality medical and surgical care performed in an outpatient 6
surgical facility, office, hospital, or any other location in this State; 7
(23) Willfully submits false statements to collect fees for which services are 8
not provided; 9
(24) Was subject to investigation or disciplinary action by a licensing or 10
disciplinary authority or by a court of any state or country for an act that would be grounds 11
for disciplinary action under this section and the licensee: 12
(i) Surrendered the license issued by the state or country to the 13
state or country; or 14
(ii) Allowed the license issued by the state or country to expire or 15
lapse; 16
(25) Knowingly fails to report suspected child abuse in violation of § 5–704 17
of the Family Law Article; 18
(26) Fails to educate a patient being treated for breast cancer of alternative 19
methods of treatment as required by § 20–113 of the Health – General Article; 20
(27) Sells, prescribes, gives away, or administers drugs for illegal or 21
illegitimate medical purposes; 22
(28) Fails to comply with the provisions of § 12–102 of this article; 23
(29) Refuses, withholds from, denies, or discriminates against an individual 24
with regard to the provision of professional services for which the licensee is licensed and 25
qualified to render because the individual is HIV positive; 26
(30) Except as to an association that has remained in continuous existence 27
since July 1, 1963: 28
(i) Associates with a pharmacist as a partner or co–owner of a 29
pharmacy for the purpose of operating a pharmacy; 30
(ii) Employs a pharmacist for the purpose of operating a pharmacy; 31
or 32
48 SENATE BILL 972
(iii) Contracts with a pharmacist for the purpose of operating a 1
pharmacy; 2
(31) Except in an emergency life–threatening situation where it is not 3
feasible or practicable, fails to comply with the Centers for Disease Control and 4
Prevention’s guidelines on universal precautions; 5
(32) Fails to display the notice required under [§ 14–415] § 14–519 of this 6
subtitle; 7
(33) Fails to cooperate with a lawful investigation conducted by the Board 8
or a disciplinary panel; 9
(34) Is convicted of insurance fraud as defined in § 27–801 of the Insurance 10
Article; 11
(35) Is in breach of a service obligation resulting from the applicant’s or 12
licensee’s receipt of State or federal funding for the licensee’s medical education; 13
(36) Willfully makes a false representation when seeking or making 14
application for licensure or any other application related to the practice of medicine; 15
(37) By corrupt means, threats, or force, intimidates or influences, or 16
attempts to intimidate or influence, for the purpose of causing any person to withhold or 17
change testimony in hearings or proceedings before the Board or a disciplinary panel or 18
those otherwise delegated to the Office of Administrative Hearings; 19
(38) By corrupt means, threats, or force, hinders, prevents, or otherwise 20
delays any person from making information available to the Board or a disciplinary panel 21
in furtherance of any investigation of the Board or a disciplinary panel; 22
(39) Intentionally misrepresents credentials for the purpose of testifying or 23
rendering an expert opinion in hearings or proceedings before the Board or a disciplinary 24
panel or those otherwise delegated to the Office of Administrative Hearings; 25
(40) Fails to keep adequate medical records as determined by appropriate 26
peer review; 27
(41) Performs a cosmetic surgical procedure in an office or a facility that is 28
not: 29
(i) Accredited by: 30
1. The American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory 31
Surgical Facilities; 32
SENATE BILL 972 49
2. The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health 1
Care; or 2
3. The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare 3
Organizations; or 4
(ii) Certified to participate in the Medicare program, as enacted by 5
Title XVIII of the Social Security Act; 6
(42) Fails to complete a criminal history records check under [§ 14–308.1] § 7
14–302 of this title; 8
(43) Except for the licensure process described under Subtitle 3A of this title, 9
violates any provision of this title, any rule or regulation adopted by the Board, or any State 10
or federal law pertaining to the practice of medicine; 11
(44) Fails to meet the qualifications for licensure under THIS SUBTITLE 12
AND Subtitle 3 of this title; 13
(45) Fails to comply with § 1–223 of this article; or 14
(46) Fails to comply with the requirements of the Prescription Drug 15
Monitoring Program under Title 21, Subtitle 2A of the Health – General Article. 16
14–516. 17
THE PUBLIC INDIVIDUAL PROFILE FOR A LICENS ED PHYSICIAN CREATED AN D 18
MAINTAINED UNDER § 14–411.1 OF THIS TITLE SHALL INCLUDE, AS REPORTED TO 19
THE BOARD BY THE LICENSEE , EDUCATION AND PRACTI CE INFORMATION ABOUT 20
THE LICENSEE INCLUDI NG: 21
(1) THE NAME OF ANY MEDIC AL SCHOOL THAT THE L ICENSEE 22
ATTENDED AND THE DATE ON WHICH TH E LICENSEE GRADUATED FROM THE 23
SCHOOL; 24
(2) A DESCRIPTION OF ANY I NTERNSHIP AND RESIDE NCY TRAINING; 25
(3) A DESCRIPTION OF ANY S PECIALTY BOARD CERTI FICATION BY A 26
RECOGNIZED BOARD OF THE AMERICAN BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES OR THE 27
AMERICAN OSTEOPATHIC ASSOCIATION; 28
(4) THE NAME OF ANY HOSPI TAL WHERE THE LICENS EE HAS MEDICAL 29
PRIVILEGES; 30
(5) THE LOCATION OF THE L ICENSEE’S PRIMARY PRACTICE S ETTING; 31 50 SENATE BILL 972
(6) WHETHER THE LICENSEE PARTICIPATES IN THE MARYLAND 1
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM; 2
(7) WHETHER THE LICENSEE MAINTAINS MEDICAL PR OFESSIONAL 3
LIABILITY INSURANCE ; AND 4
(8) THE NUMBER OF MEDICAL MALPRACTICE FINAL CO URT 5
JUDGMENTS AND ARBITR ATION AWARDS AGAINST THE LICENSEE WITHIN THE MOST 6
RECENT 10–YEAR PERIOD. 7
14–517. 8
(a) (1) Each hospital and related institution shall submit to the Board a report 9
within 10 days after: 10
(i) The hospital or related institution denied the application of a 11
physician for staff privileges or limited, reduced, otherwise changed, or terminated the staff 12
privileges of a physician, or the physician resigned whether or not under formal accusation, 13
if the denial, limitation, reduction, change, termination, or resignation is for reasons that 14
might be grounds for disciplinary action under [§ 14–404] § 14–515 of this subtitle; 15
(ii) The hospital or related institution took any disciplinary action 16
against a salaried, licensed physician without staff privileges, including termination of 17
employment, suspension, or probation, for reasons that might be grounds for disciplinary 18
action under [§ 14–404] § 14–515 of this subtitle; 19
(iii) A licensed physician voluntarily resigned from the staff, employ, 20
or training program of the hospital or related institution for reasons that might be grounds 21
for disciplinary action under [§ 14–404] § 14–515 of this subtitle; or 22
(iv) The hospital or related institution placed any other restrictions 23
or conditions on any of the licensed physicians as listed in items (i) through (iii) of this 24
paragraph for any reasons that might be grounds for disciplinary action under [§ 14–404] 25
§ 14–515 of this subtitle. 26
14–518. 27
(a) (1) Each alternative health system as defined in § 1–401 of this article shall 28
submit to the Board a report within 10 days after: 29
(i) The alternative health system denied the formal application of a 30
physician to contract with the alternative health system or limited, reduced, otherwise 31
changed, or terminated the contract of a physician, or the physician resigned whether or 32
not under formal accusation, if the denial, limitation, reduction, change, termination, or 33 SENATE BILL 972 51
resignation is for reasons that might be grounds for disciplinary action under [§ 14–404] § 1
14–515 of this subtitle; or 2
(ii) The alternative health system placed any other restrictions or 3
conditions on any licensed physician for any reasons that might be grounds for disciplinary 4
action under [§ 14–404] § 14–515 of this subtitle. 5
14–521. 6
(C) (1) A PERSON WHO VIOLATES ANY PROVISION OF THIS SECTIO N IS 7
GUILTY OF A MISDEMEA NOR AND ON CONVICTIO N IS SUBJECT TO A FI NE NOT 8
EXCEEDING $5,000 OR IMPRISONMENT NOT EXCEEDING 5 YEARS OR BOTH . 9
(2) THE BOARD SHALL PAY ANY P ENALTY COLLECTED UND ER THIS 10
SECTION INTO THE BOARD OF PHYSICIANS FUND. 11
14–524. 12
(B) (1) A PERSON WHO VIOLATES ANY PROVISION OF THI S SECTION IS 13
GUILTY OF A MISDEMEA NOR AND ON CONVICTIO N IS SUBJECT TO A FI NE NOT 14
EXCEEDING $5,000 OR IMPRISONMENT NOT EXCEEDING 5 YEARS OR BOTH . 15
(2) THE BOARD SHALL PAY ANY P ENALTY COLLECTE D UNDER THIS 16
SECTION INTO THE BOARD OF PHYSICIANS FUND. 17
[(b)] (C) (1) The Board shall investigate any alleged violation of this section 18
or [§ 14–507] § 14–523 of this [title] SUBTITLE and may enforce any provision of this title 19
by injunction or other appropriate proceedings. 20
[(c)] (2) An action under this [section] SUBSECTION is in addition to and not 21
instead of criminal prosecution under [§ 14–606 of this subtitle] SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS 22
SECTION. 23
14–525. 24
(D) (1) A PERSON WHO VIOLATES ANY PROVISION OF THI S SECTION IS 25
GUILTY OF A MISDEMEA NOR AND ON CONVICTIO N IS SUBJECT TO A FI NE NOT 26
EXCEEDING $5,000 OR IMPRISONMENT NOT EXCEEDING 5 YEARS OR BOTH . 27
(2) A PERSON WHO IS REQUIR ED TO GIVE NOTICE UNDER TH IS 28
SECTION, AND WHO FAILS TO GIV E THE REQUIRED NOTIC E, IS LIABLE FOR A CIVI L 29
PENALTY OF NOT MORE THAN $100. 30
52 SENATE BILL 972
(3) THE BOARD SHALL PAY ANY P ENALTY COLLECTED UND ER THIS 1
SECTION INTO THE BOARD OF PHYSICIANS FUND. 2
14–527. 3
(A) Except as otherwise provided in this title, a person may not practice, attempt 4
to practice, or offer to practice medicine in this State unless licensed by the Board. 5
(B) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , A 6
PERSON WHO VIOLATES THIS SECTION IS: 7
(I) GUILTY OF A FELONY AN D ON CONVICTION IS S UBJECT TO A 8
FINE NOT EXCEEDING $10,000 OR IMPRISONMENT NOT EXCEEDING 5 YEARS OR 9
BOTH; AND 10
(II) SUBJECT TO A CIVIL FI NE OF NOT MORE THAN $50,000 TO 11
BE LEVIED BY A DISCI PLINARY PANEL . 12
(2) THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION D O 13
NOT APPLY TO A FORME R LICENSEE WHO HAS F AILED TO RENEW A LIC ENSE UNDER 14
§ 14–306 OF THIS TITLE IF: 15
(I) LESS THAN 60 DAYS HAVE ELAPSED SI NCE THE EXPIRATION 16
OF THE LICENSE; AND 17
(II) THE FORMER LICENSEE H AS APPLIED FOR LICENSE 18
REINSTATEMENT , INCLUDING PAYMENT OF THE REINSTATEMENT FE E. 19
(3) THE BOARD SHALL PAY ANY P ENALTY COLLECTED UND ER THIS 20
SECTION INTO THE BOARD OF PHYSICIANS FUND. 21
14–528. 22
(c) An unlicensed individual who acts under [§ 14–302 or § 14–306] § 14–502 OR 23
§ 14–503 of this [title] SUBTITLE may use the word “physician” together with another 24
word to describe the occupation of the individual as in phrases such as “physician’s 25
assistant” or “physician’s aide”. 26
(D) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , A 27
PERSON WHO VIOLATES THIS SECTION IS: 28
(I) GUILTY OF A FELONY AN D ON CONVICTION IS S UBJECT TO A 29
FINE NOT EXCEEDING $10,000 OR IMPRISONMENT NOT EXCEEDING 5 YEARS OR 30
BOTH; AND 31 SENATE BILL 972 53
(II) SUBJECT TO A CIVIL FI NE OF NOT MORE T HAN $50,000 TO 1
BE LEVIED BY A DISCI PLINARY PANEL . 2
(2) THE PROVISIONS OF PAR AGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION D O 3
NOT APPLY TO A FORME R LICENSEE WHO HAS F AILED TO RENEW A LIC ENSE UNDER 4
§ 14–306 OF THIS TITLE IF: 5
(I) LESS THAN 60 DAYS HAVE ELAPSED SI NCE THE EXPIRATION 6
OF THE LICENSE; AND 7
(II) THE FORMER LICENSEE H AS APPLIED FOR LICEN SE 8
REINSTATEMENT , INCLUDING PAYMENT OF THE REINSTATEMENT FE E. 9
(3) THE BOARD SHALL PAY ANY P ENALTY COLLECTED UND ER THIS 10
SECTION INTO THE BOARD OF PHYSICIANS FUND. 11
14–5A–01. 12
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 13
(c) “Committee” means the Respiratory Care [Professional Standards] 14
ADVISORY Committee established under § 14–5A–05 of this subtitle. 15
14–5A–05. 16
There is a Respiratory Care [Professional Standards] ADVISORY Committee within 17
the Board. 18
14–5A–06. 19
(E) A QUORUM OF THE COMMITTEE CONSISTS OF FOUR MEMBERS . 20
14–5A–09. 21
[(a) To qualify for a license, an applicant shall be an individual who meets the 22
requirements of this section. 23
(b) The applicant shall be of good moral character. 24
(c) The applicant shall be at least 18 years old. 25
(d) The applicant] TO QUALIFY FOR A LICE NSE, IN ADDITION TO THE 26
REQUIREMENTS UNDER § 14–301 OF THIS TITLE, AN APPLICANT shall[: 27
54 SENATE BILL 972
(1) Meet] MEET any educational, training, or examination requirements 1
established by the Board including: 2
[(i)] (1) Graduation from an appropriate educational program as 3
determined by the Board; and 4
[(ii)] (2) Certification by a national certifying board approved by 5
the Board[; and 6
(2) Demonstrate oral and written competency in English as required by the 7
Board]. 8
[(e) The applicant shall complete a criminal history records check in accordance 9
with § 14–308.1 of this title.] 10
14–5A–17. 11
(a) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 14–405 of this title, a disciplinary panel, 12
on the affirmative vote of a majority of a quorum of the disciplinary panel, may [deny a 13
license to any applicant,] reprimand any licensee, place any licensee on probation, or 14
suspend or revoke a license, if the [applicant or] licensee: 15
(1) Fraudulently or deceptively obtains or attempts to obtain a license for 16
the applicant, licensee, or for another; 17
(2) Fraudulently or deceptively uses a license; 18
(3) Is guilty of unprofessional or immoral conduct in the practice of 19
respiratory care; 20
(4) Is professionally, physically, or mentally incompetent; 21
(5) Abandons a patient; 22
(6) Is habitually intoxicated; 23
(7) Is addicted to or habitually abuses any narcotic or controlled dangerous 24
substance as defined in § 5–101 of the Criminal Law Article; 25
(8) Provides professional services while: 26
(i) Under the influence of alcohol; or 27
(ii) Using any narcotic or controlled dangerous substance as defined 28
in § 5–101 of the Criminal Law Article or any other drug that is in excess of therapeutic 29
amounts or without valid medical indication; 30 SENATE BILL 972 55
(9) Promotes the sale of services, drugs, devices, appliances, or goods to a 1
patient so as to exploit the patient for financial gain; 2
(10) Willfully makes or files a false report or record in the practice of 3
respiratory care; 4
(11) Willfully fails to file or record any report as required under law, 5
willfully impedes or obstructs the filing or recording of a report, or induces another to fail 6
to file or record a report; 7
(12) Breaches patient confidentiality; 8
(13) Pays or agrees to pay any sum or provide any form of remuneration or 9
material benefit to any person for bringing or referring a patient or accepts or agrees to 10
accept any sum or any form of remuneration or material benefit from an individual for 11
bringing or referring a patient; 12
(14) Knowingly makes a misrepresentation while practicing respiratory 13
care; 14
(15) Knowingly practices respiratory care with an unauthorized individual 15
or aids an unauthorized individual in the practice of respiratory care; 16
(16) Offers, undertakes, or agrees to cure or treat disease by a secret 17
method, treatment, or medicine; 18
(17) Is disciplined by a licensing or disciplinary authority or is convicted or 19
disciplined by a court of any state or country or is disciplined by any branch of the United 20
States uniformed services or the Veterans’ Administration for an act that would be grounds 21
for disciplinary action under the Board’s disciplinary statutes; 22
(18) Fails to meet appropriate standards for the delivery of respiratory care 23
performed in any inpatient or outpatient facility, office, hospital or related institution, 24
domiciliary care facility, patient’s home, or any other location in this State; 25
(19) Knowingly submits false statements to collect fees for which services 26
are not provided; 27
(20) (i) Has been subject to investigation or disciplinary action by a 28
licensing or disciplinary authority or by a court of any state or country for an act that would 29
be grounds for disciplinary action under the Board’s disciplinary statutes; and 30
(ii) Has: 31
1. Surrendered the license issued by the state or country; or 32
56 SENATE BILL 972
2. Allowed the license issued by the state or country to expire 1
or lapse; 2
(21) Knowingly fails to report suspected child abuse in violation of § 5–704 3
of the Family Law Article; 4
(22) Sells, prescribes, gives away, or administers drugs for illegal or 5
illegitimate medical purposes; 6
(23) Practices or attempts to practice beyond the authorized scope of 7
practice; 8
(24) Refuses, withholds from, denies, or discriminates against an individual 9
with regard to the provision of professional services for which the licensee is licensed and 10
qualified to render because the individual is HIV positive; 11
(25) Practices or attempts to practice a respiratory care procedure or uses or 12
attempts to use respiratory care equipment if the applicant or licensee has not received 13
education and training in the performance of the procedure or the use of the equipment; 14
(26) Fails to cooperate with a lawful investigation conducted by the Board 15
or a disciplinary panel; 16
(27) Fails to practice under the supervision of a physician or violates a 17
supervisory order of a supervising physician; or 18
(28) Fails to complete a criminal history records check under [§ 14–308.1] § 19
14–302 of this title. 20
14–5B–05. 21
(F) A QUORUM OF THE COMMITTEE CONSISTS OF FIVE MEMBERS . 22
14–5B–07. 23
(a) (2) The failure of a licensed physician to properly supervise a licensee is 24
unprofessional conduct in the practice of medicine under [§ 14–404(a)(3)] § 14–515(A)(3) 25
of this title. 26
14–5B–09. 27
(a) [To qualify for a license, an applicant shall be an individual who meets the 28
requirements of this section. 29
SENATE BILL 972 57
(b)] Except as provided in subsection [(c)] (B) of this section, [the] TO QUALIFY 1
FOR A LICENSE , IN ADDITION TO THE R EQUIREMENTS UNDER § 14–301 OF THIS 2
TITLE, AN applicant shall[: 3
(1) Be of good moral character; 4
(2) Be at least 18 years old; 5
(3) Demonstrate oral and written competency in English as required by the 6
Board; 7
(4) Meet] MEET any educational, training, or examination requirements 8
established by the Board, including: 9
[(i)] (1) Graduation from an appropriate educational program as 10
determined by the Board; and 11
[(ii)] (2) Certification[; and 12
(5) Complete a criminal history records check in accordance with § 13
14–308.1 of this title]. 14
[(c)] (B) To qualify for a license to practice as a radiologist assistant, an 15
applicant shall: 16
(1) Be issued a general license to perform radiography; 17
(2) Complete an advanced academic program with a nationally recognized 18
radiology curriculum that results in a baccalaureate degree, post baccalaureate certificate, 19
or graduate degree and incorporates a radiologist–directed clinical preceptorship; 20
(3) Be certified in advanced cardiac life support; and 21
(4) Be certified as a radiologist assistant by the American Registry of 22
Radiologic Technologists. 23
[(d)] (C) Except for requirements adopted by the Board for license renewal under 24
[§ 14–5B–12 of this subtitle] § 14–306 OF THIS TITLE, nothing in this subtitle may be 25
construed to require an individual who is certified by the Board as a radiation 26
oncology/therapy technologist, medical radiation technologist, or nuclear medicine 27
technologist as of October 1, 2008, to meet additional education, training, or examination 28
requirements. 29
14–5B–11. 30
58 SENATE BILL 972
(a) Licensure as a radiation therapist authorizes an individual to practice 1
radiation therapy IN THE STATE while the license is effective. 2
(b) Licensure as a radiographer authorizes an individual to practice radiography 3
IN THE STATE while the license is effective. 4
(c) Licensure as a nuclear medicine technologist authorizes an individual to 5
practice nuclear medicine technology IN THE STATE while the license is effective. 6
(d) Licensure as a radiologist assistant authorizes an individual to practice 7
radiology assistance IN THE STATE while the license is effective. 8
14–5B–14. 9
(a) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 14–405 of this title, a disciplinary panel, 10
on the affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum of the disciplinary panel, may [deny a 11
license to any applicant,] reprimand any licensee, place any licensee on probation, or 12
suspend or revoke a license, if the [applicant or] licensee: 13
(1) Fraudulently or deceptively obtains or attempts to obtain a license for 14
the applicant, licensed individual, or for another; 15
(2) Fraudulently or deceptively uses a license; 16
(3) Is guilty of unprofessional or immoral conduct in the practice of 17
radiation therapy, radiography, nuclear medicine technology, or radiology assistance; 18
(4) Is professionally, physically, or mentally incompetent; 19
(5) Abandons a patient; 20
(6) Is habitually intoxicated; 21
(7) Is addicted to or habitually abuses any narcotic or controlled dangerous 22
substance as defined in § 5–101 of the Criminal Law Article; 23
(8) Provides professional services while: 24
(i) Under the influence of alcohol; or 25
(ii) Using any narcotic or controlled dangerous substance as defined 26
in § 5–101 of the Criminal Law Article or any other drug that is in excess of therapeutic 27
amounts or without valid medical indication; 28
(9) Promotes the sale of services, drugs, devices, appliances, or goods to a 29
patient so as to exploit the patient for financial gain; 30 SENATE BILL 972 59
(10) Willfully makes or files a false report or record in the practice of 1
radiation therapy, radiography, nuclear medicine technology, or radiology assistance; 2
(11) Willfully fails to file or record any report as required under law, 3
willfully impedes or obstructs the filing or recording of a report, or induces another to fail 4
to file or record a report; 5
(12) Breaches patient confidentiality; 6
(13) Pays or agrees to pay any sum or provide any form of remuneration or 7
material benefit to any person for bringing or referring a patient or accepts or agrees to 8
accept any sum or any form of remuneration or material benefit from an individual for 9
bringing or referring a patient; 10
(14) Knowingly makes a misrepresentation while practicing radiation 11
therapy, radiography, nuclear medicine technology, or radiology assistance; 12
(15) Knowingly practices radiation therapy, radiography, nuclear medicine 13
technology, or radiology assistance with an unauthorized individual or aids an 14
unauthorized individual in the practice of radiation therapy, radiography, nuclear medicine 15
technology, or radiology assistance; 16
(16) Offers, undertakes, or agrees to cure or treat disease by a secret 17
method, treatment, or medicine; 18
(17) Is disciplined by a licensing or disciplinary authority or is convicted or 19
disciplined by a court of any state or country or is disciplined by any branch of the United 20
States uniformed services or the Veterans’ Administration for an act that would be grounds 21
for disciplinary action under the Board’s disciplinary statutes; 22
(18) Fails to meet appropriate standards for the delivery of quality radiation 23
therapy, radiography, nuclear medicine technology, or radiology assistance care performed 24
in any outpatient surgical facility, office, hospital or related institution, or any other 25
location in this State; 26
(19) Knowingly submits false statements to collect fees for which services 27
are not provided; 28
(20) (i) Has been subject to investigation or disciplinary action by a 29
licensing or disciplinary authority or by a court of any state or country for an act that would 30
be grounds for disciplinary action under the Board’s disciplinary statutes; and 31
(ii) Has: 32
1. Surrendered the license issued by the state or country; or 33
60 SENATE BILL 972
2. Allowed the license issued by the state or country to expire 1
or lapse; 2
(21) Knowingly fails to report suspected child abuse in violation of § 5–704 3
of the Family Law Article; 4
(22) Sells, prescribes, gives away, or administers drugs for illegal or 5
illegitimate medical purposes; 6
(23) Practices or attempts to practice beyond the authorized scope of 7
practice; 8
(24) Refuses, withholds from, denies, or discriminates against an individual 9
with regard to the provision of professional services for which the licensee is licensed and 10
qualified to render because the individual is HIV positive; 11
(25) Practices or attempts to practice a radiation therapy, radiography, 12
nuclear medicine technology, or radiology assistance procedure or uses radiation therapy, 13
radiography, nuclear medicine technology, or radiology assistance equipment if the 14
applicant or licensee has not received education, internship, training, or experience in the 15
performance of the procedure or the use of the equipment; 16
(26) Fails to cooperate with a lawful investigation conducted by the Board 17
or a disciplinary panel; 18
(27) Fails to practice under the supervision of a physician or violates a 19
supervisory order of a supervising physician; or 20
(28) Fails to complete a criminal history records check under [§ 14–308.1] § 21
14–302 of this title. 22
14–5C–01. 23
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 24
(c) “Committee” means the Polysomnography [Professional Standards] 25
ADVISORY Committee established under § 14–5C–05 of this subtitle. 26
14–5C–05. 27
There is a Polysomnography [Professional Standards] ADVISORY Committee within 28
the Board. 29
14–5C–06. 30
(E) A QUORUM OF THE COMMITTEE CONSISTS OF FOUR MEMBERS . 31 SENATE BILL 972 61
14–5C–08. 1
(b) This section does not apply to a student enrolled in an education program 2
under [§ 14–5C–09(c)(3)] § 14–5C–09(3) of this subtitle while practicing polysomnography 3
in that program. 4
14–5C–09. 5
[(a) To qualify for a license, an applicant shall be an individual who meets the 6
requirements of this section. 7
(b) The applicant shall: 8
(1) Be of good moral character; 9
(2) Be at least 18 years old; and 10
(3) Complete a criminal history records check in accordance with § 11
14–308.1 of this title. 12
(c) An] TO QUALIFY FOR A LICE NSE, IN ADDITION TO THE R EQUIREMENTS 13
SET FORTH IN § 14–301 OF THIS TITLE, AN applicant for a polysomnographic technologist 14
license shall: 15
(1) Have passed the national certifying examination given by the Board of 16
Registered Polysomnographic Technologists or another examination approved by the 17
Board; 18
(2) Submit to the Board proof of certification as a registered 19
polysomnographic technologist or other national certification approved by the Board; 20
(3) (i) 1. Have graduated from a polysomnographic educational 21
program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education 22
Programs; or 23
2. A. Have graduated from a sleep technologist 24
educational program that is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine; and 25
B. Have completed a clinical component of an educational 26
program as established by the Committee and approved by the Board; 27
(ii) 1. Have graduated from a respiratory care educational 28
program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education 29
Programs; and 30
62 SENATE BILL 972
2. Have completed the Committee on Accreditation for 1
Respiratory Care’s curriculum for a polysomnography certificate that is accredited by the 2
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs; or 3
(iii) 1. Have graduated from an electroneuro –diagnostic 4
educational program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health 5
Education Programs; and 6
2. Have completed additional units, modules, and courses of 7
instruction focused on polysomnographic technology that are accredited by the Commission 8
on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs; and 9
(4) Meet any other educational or clinical requirements established by the 10
Committee and approved by the Board. 11
14–5C–10. 12
[(a)] The Board shall waive the education requirement under [§ 14–5C–09(c)(3)] § 13
14–5C–09(3) of this subtitle if on or before September 30, 2013, an individual: 14
(1) Has passed the national certifying examination by the Board of 15
Registered Polysomnographic Technologists or another examination approved by the 16
Board; 17
(2) Is certified by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists 18
as a registered polysomnographic technologist; 19
(3) Has submitted an application for licensure to the Board; and 20
(4) Meets all of the requirements under [§ 14–5C–09(b) and (c)(1) and (2)] 21
§ 14–301(B), (C), AND (D) OF THIS TITLE AND § 14–5C–09(1) AND (2) of this subtitle. 22
[(b) (1) If an individual has not satisfied the requirements under subsection (a) 23
of this section on or before September 30, 2013, the individual may petition the Board for 24
an extension. 25
(2) The Board shall determine whether to grant an extension under this 26
subsection on a case–by–case basis.] 27
14–5C–17. 28
(a) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 14–405 of this title, a disciplinary panel, 29
on the affirmative vote of a majority of a quorum of the disciplinary panel, may [deny a 30
license to any applicant,] reprimand any licensee, place any licensee on probation, or 31
suspend or revoke a license, if the [applicant or] licensee: 32
SENATE BILL 972 63
(1) Fraudulently or deceptively obtains or attempts to obtain a license for 1
the applicant, licensee, or for another; 2
(2) Fraudulently or deceptively uses a license; 3
(3) Is guilty of unprofessional or immoral conduct in the practice of 4
polysomnography; 5
(4) Is professionally, physically, or mentally incompetent; 6
(5) Abandons a patient; 7
(6) Is habitually intoxicated; 8
(7) Is addicted to or habitually abuses any narcotic or controlled dangerous 9
substance as defined in § 5–101 of the Criminal Law Article; 10
(8) Provides professional services while: 11
(i) Under the influence of alcohol; or 12
(ii) Using any narcotic or controlled dangerous substance as defined 13
in § 5–101 of the Criminal Law Article or any other drug that is in excess of therapeutic 14
amounts or without valid medical indication; 15
(9) Promotes the sale of services, drugs, devices, appliances, or goods to a 16
patient so as to exploit the patient for financial gain; 17
(10) Willfully makes or files a false report or record in the practice of 18
polysomnography; 19
(11) Willfully fails to file or record any report as required under law, 20
willfully impedes or obstructs the filing or recording of a report, or induces another to fail 21
to file or record a report; 22
(12) Breaches patient confidentiality; 23
(13) Pays or agrees to pay any sum or provide any form of remuneration or 24
material benefit to any person for bringing or referring a patient or accepts or agrees to 25
accept any sum or any form of remuneration or material benefit from an individual for 26
bringing or referring a patient; 27
(14) Knowingly makes a misrepresentation while practicing 28
polysomnography; 29
(15) Knowingly practices polysomnography with an unauthorized individual 30
or aids an unauthorized individual in the practice of polysomnography; 31 64 SENATE BILL 972
(16) Knowingly delegates a polysomnographic duty to an unlicensed 1
individual; 2
(17) Offers, undertakes, or agrees to cure or treat disease by a secret 3
method, treatment, or medicine; 4
(18) Is disciplined by a licensing or disciplinary authority or is convicted or 5
disciplined by a court of any state or country or is disciplined by any branch of the United 6
States uniformed services or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for an act that would 7
be grounds for disciplinary action under the Board’s disciplinary statutes; 8
(19) Fails to meet appropriate standards for the delivery of 9
polysomnographic services performed in a hospital sleep laboratory or a stand–alone sleep 10
center; 11
(20) Knowingly submits false statements to collect fees for which services 12
are not provided; 13
(21) (i) Has been subject to investigation or disciplinary action by a 14
licensing or disciplinary authority or by a court of any state or country for an act that would 15
be grounds for disciplinary action under the Board’s disciplinary statutes; and 16
(ii) Has: 17
1. Surrendered the license, if any, issued by the state or 18
country; or 19
2. Allowed the license, if any, issued by the state or country 20
to expire or lapse; 21
(22) Knowingly fails to report suspected child abuse in violation of § 5–704 22
of the Family Law Article; 23
(23) Sells, prescribes, gives away, or administers drugs for illegal or 24
illegitimate medical purposes; 25
(24) Practices or attempts to practice beyond the authorized scope of 26
practice; 27
(25) Refuses, withholds from, denies, or discriminates against an individual 28
with regard to the provision of professional services for which the licensee is licensed and 29
qualified to render because the individual is HIV positive; 30
(26) Practices or attempts to practice a polysomnography procedure or uses 31
or attempts to use polysomnography equipment if the applicant or licensee has not received 32
education and training in the performance of the procedure or the use of the equipment; 33 SENATE BILL 972 65
(27) Fails to cooperate with a lawful investigation conducted by the Board; 1
or 2
(28) Fails to complete a criminal history records check under [§ 14–308.1] § 3
14–302 of this title. 4
14–5D–05. 5
(F) A QUORUM OF THE COMMITTEE CONSISTS OF SI X MEMBERS. 6
14–5D–07. 7
(b) This section does not apply to: 8
(1) An individual employed by the federal government as an athletic 9
trainer while the individual is practicing within the scope of that employment; 10
(2) An individual employed by or under contract with an entity located in 11
another state who represents that entity: 12
(i) At an athletic event in the State; 13
(ii) For a period of time not to exceed 45 days within a calendar year; 14
and 15
(iii) By providing athletic training services to individuals 16
representing the entity at the event; or 17
(3) A student enrolled in an education program that meets the criteria of 18
[§ 14–5D–08(c)(2)] § 14–5D–08(A)(2) of this subtitle while engaged in an unpaid, clinical 19
educational experience of athletic training. 20
14–5D–08. 21
[(a) To qualify for a license, an applicant shall be an individual who meets the 22
requirements of this section. 23
(b) The applicant shall: 24
(1) Be of good moral character; 25
(2) Be at least 18 years old; and 26
(3) Complete a criminal history records check in accordance with § 27
14–308.1 of this title.] 28 66 SENATE BILL 972
[(c)] (A) [The] TO QUALIFY FOR A LICE NSE, IN ADDITION TO THE 1
REQUIREMENTS UNDER § 14–301 OF THIS TITLE, AN applicant shall: 2
(1) Have a current certification by a national certifying board approved by 3
the Board; AND 4
(2) Have received a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an athletic training 5
educational program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic 6
Training Education or its successor[; 7
(3) Demonstrate oral and written competency in English as required by the 8
Board; and 9
(4) Meet any other requirements established by the Board]. 10
[(d)] (B) The Board shall waive the education requirements under this section if 11
an individual was certified by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of 12
Certification, Inc., on or before October 1, 2012, and is currently in good standing. 13
14–5D–10. 14
(a) An athletic trainer license authorizes the licensee to practice athletic training 15
services IN THE STATE while the license is effective. 16
14–5D–14. 17
(a) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 14–405 of this title, a disciplinary panel, 18
on the affirmative vote of a majority of a quorum of the disciplinary panel, may [deny a 19
license to any applicant,] reprimand any licensee, place any licensee on probation, or 20
suspend or revoke a license, if the [applicant or] licensee: 21
(1) Fraudulently or deceptively obtains or attempts to obtain a license for 22
the applicant, licensee, or for another; 23
(2) Fraudulently or deceptively uses a license; 24
(3) Is guilty of unprofessional or immoral conduct in the practice of athletic 25
training; 26
(4) Is professionally, physically, or mentally incompetent; 27
(5) Abandons a patient; 28
(6) Habitually is intoxicated; 29
SENATE BILL 972 67
(7) Is addicted to, or habitually abuses, any narcotic or controlled 1
dangerous substance as defined in § 5–101 of the Criminal Law Article; 2
(8) Provides professional services while: 3
(i) Under the influence of alcohol; or 4
(ii) Using any narcotic or controlled dangerous substance as defined 5
in § 5–101 of the Criminal Law Article, or any other drug that is in excess of therapeutic 6
amounts or without valid medical indication; 7
(9) Promotes the sale of services, drugs, devices, appliances, or goods to a 8
patient so as to exploit the patient for financial gain; 9
(10) Willfully makes or files a false report or record in the practice of athletic 10
training; 11
(11) Willfully fails to file or record any report as required under law, 12
willfully impedes or obstructs the filing or recording of the report, or induces another to fail 13
to file or record the report; 14
(12) Breaches patient confidentiality; 15
(13) Pays or agrees to pay any sum or provide any form of remuneration or 16
material benefit to any individual for bringing or referring a patient or accepts or agrees to 17
accept any sum or any form of remuneration or material benefit from an individual for 18
bringing or referring a patient; 19
(14) Knowingly makes a misrepr esentation while practicing athletic 20
training; 21
(15) Knowingly practices athletic training with an unauthorized individual 22
or aids an unauthorized individual in the practice of athletic trainer services; 23
(16) Offers, undertakes, or agrees to cure or treat disease by a secret 24
method, treatment, or medicine; 25
(17) Is disciplined by a licensing, certifying, or disciplinary authority or is 26
convicted or disciplined by a court of any state or country or is disciplined by any branch of 27
the United States uniformed services or the Veterans Administration for an act that would 28
be grounds for disciplinary action under this section; 29
(18) Fails to meet appropriate standards for the delivery of athletic training 30
services; 31
(19) Knowingly submits false statements to collect fees for which services 32
have not been provided; 33 68 SENATE BILL 972
(20) (i) Has been subject to investigation or disciplinary action by a 1
licensing or disciplinary authority or by a court of any state or country for an act that would 2
be grounds for disciplinary action under the Board’s disciplinary statutes; and 3
(ii) Has: 4
1. Surrendered the license issued by the state or country; or 5
2. Allowed the license issued by the state or country to expire 6
or lapse; 7
(21) Knowingly fails to report suspected child abuse in violation of § 5–704 8
of the Family Law Article; 9
(22) Sells, prescribes, gives away, or administers drugs for illegal or 10
illegitimate medical purposes; 11
(23) Practices or attempts to practice beyond the authorized scope of 12
practice; 13
(24) Refuses, withholds from, denies, or discriminates against an individual 14
with regard to the provision of professional services for which the licensee is licensed and 15
qualified to render because the individual is HIV positive; 16
(25) Practices or attempts to practice an athletic training procedure or uses 17
or attempts to use athletic training equipment if the applicant or licensee has not received 18
education and training in the performance of the procedure or the use of the equipment; 19
(26) Fails to cooperate with a lawful investigation conducted by the Board 20
or a disciplinary panel; 21
(27) Fails to practice under the supervision of a physician or violates the 22
approved evaluation and treatment protocol; 23
(28) Violates an order of the Board or a disciplinary panel, including any 24
condition of probation; or 25
(29) Fails to complete a criminal history records check under [§ 14–308.1] § 26
14–302 of this title. 27
14–5E–01. 28
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 29
(g) “Student” means an individual who, in accordance with [§ 14–5E–09(c)] § 30
14–5E–09 of this subtitle, is: 31 SENATE BILL 972 69
(1) Enrolled in an accredited educational program to qualify for a license 1
under this subtitle; and 2
(2) Performing perfusion services within the accredited program under the 3
supervision of a licensed perfusionist and without compensation. 4
14–5E–06. 5
(E) A QUORUM OF THE COMMITTEE CONSISTS OF FOUR MEMBERS . 6
14–5E–08. 7
(b) This section does not apply to a student enrolled in an education program 8
under [§ 14–5E–09(c)(2)] § 14–5E–09(2) of this subtitle while practicing perfusion in that 9
program. 10
14–5E–09. 11
[(a) To qualify for a license, an applicant shall be an individual who meets the 12
requirements of this section. 13
(b) The applicant shall: 14
(1) Be of good moral character; 15
(2) Be at least 18 years old; and 16
(3) Complete a criminal history records check in accordance with § 17
14–308.1 of this title. 18
(c) An] TO QUALIFY FOR A LICE NSE, IN ADDITION TO THE R EQUIREMENTS 19
UNDER § 14–301 OF THIS TITLE, AN applicant for a license to practice perfusion shall: 20
(1) (i) Submit to the Board satisfactory evidence of certification as a 21
certified perfusionist or other national certification approved by the Board; and 22
(ii) Meet any other educational or clinical requirements established 23
by the Committee and approved by the Board; or 24
(2) (i) Submit to the Board satisfactory evidence of graduation from a 25
perfusion educational program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of 26
Allied Health Education Programs, or the Commission’s predecessor or successor; and 27
(ii) Meet any other educational or clinical requirements established 28
by the Committee and approved by the Board. 29
70 SENATE BILL 972
14–5E–10. 1
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, an applicant who 2
otherwise qualifies for a license under [§ 14–5E–09(c)(2)] § 14–5E–09(2) of this subtitle is 3
entitled to be licensed for a single 2–year term before taking the national certifying 4
examination given by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion or its successor 5
organization or another examination given or approved by the Board. 6
14–5E–13. 7
[(a) (1) A license expires on a date set by the Board, unless the license is 8
renewed for an additional term as provided in this section. 9
(2) The term of a license issued by the Board may not exceed 3 years. 10
(b) At least 1 month before a license expires, the Board shall send to the licensed 11
perfusionist a renewal notice that states: 12
(1) The date on which the current license expires; 13
(2) The date by which the renewal application must be received by the 14
Board for the renewal to be issued and sent before the license expires; 15
(3) The amount of the renewal fee; and] 16
[(4)] (A) For licensees who qualified for an initial license under [§ 17
14–5E–09(c)(2)] § 14–5E–09(2) of this subtitle, THE NOTIFICATION SEN T TO 18
LICENSEES UNDER § 14–306(B) OF THIS TITLE SHALL INCLUDE A STATEMENT that 19
the licensee must submit satisfactory evidence of a passing score on the examination as 20
required under subsection [(c)(2)] (B) of this section. 21
[(c) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, before a license expires, 22
the licensed perfusionist periodically may renew it for an additional term, if the licensee: 23
(i) Otherwise is entitled to be licensed; 24
(ii) Is of good moral character; 25
(iii) Pays to the Board a renewal fee set by the Board; and 26
(iv) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, submits 27
to the Board: 28
1. A renewal application on the form that the Board requires; 29
and 30
SENATE BILL 972 71
2. Satisfactory evidence of compliance with any continuing 1
education or competency requirements and other requirements set under this section for 2
license renewal.] 3
[(2)] (B) A licensee who qualified for an initial license under [§ 4
14–5E–09(c)(2)] § 14–5E–09(2) of this subtitle shall submit to the Board satisfactory 5
evidence of a passing score on the national certifying examination given by the American 6
Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion or its successor organization or another examination 7
given or approved by the Board. 8
[(d) In addition to any other qualifications and requirements established by the 9
Board, the Board shall establish continuing education or competency requirements as a 10
condition of the renewal of a license under this section.] 11
[(e)] (C) (1) The Board shall renew the license of each licensee who meets the 12
requirements of this section AND § 14–306 OF THIS TITLE. 13
(2) The Board may not renew the license of a licensee who fails to submit 14
satisfactory evidence of a passing score on the examination as required under subsection 15
[(c)(2)] (B) of this section. 16
[(f) The Board shall reinstate the license of an individual who has failed to renew 17
the license for any reason if the individual: 18
(1) Applies for reinstatement after the date the license expires; 19
(2) Meets the renewal requirements of this section; and 20
(3) Pays to the Board the reinstatement fee set by the Board. 21
(g) (1) Beginning October 1, 2016, the Board shall require a criminal history 22
records check in accordance with § 14–308.1 of this title for: 23
(i) Renewal applicants as determined by regulations adopted by the 24
Board; and 25
(ii) Each former licensee who files for reinstatement under 26
subsection (f) of this section. 27
(2) On receipt of the criminal history record information of a licensee 28
forwarded to the Board in accordance with § 14–308.1 of this title, in determining whether 29
disciplinary action should be taken, based on the criminal history record information, 30
against a licensee who renewed or reinstated a license, the Board shall consider: 31
(i) The age at which the crime was committed; 32
72 SENATE BILL 972
(ii) The nature of the crime; 1
(iii) The circumstances surrounding the crime; 2
(iv) The length of time that has passed since the crime; 3
(v) Subsequent work history; 4
(vi) Employment and character references; and 5
(vii) Other evidence that demonstrates whether the licensee poses a 6
threat to the public health or safety. 7
(3) The Board may renew or reinstate a license only if the licensee or 8
applicant attests that the licensee or applicant has submitted to a criminal history records 9
check under § 14–308.1 of this title. 10
(h) A disciplinary panel may impose a civil penalty of up to $100 per continuing 11
education credit in lieu of a sanction under § 14–5E–16 of this subtitle, for a first offense 12
for failure of a licensee to obtain the continuing education credits required by the Board.] 13
14–5E–14. 14
[(a) (1) A licensed perfusionist shall notify the Board in writing of a change in 15
name or address within 60 days after the change. 16
(2) A licensed perfusionist who fails to comply with the requirements of 17
paragraph (1) of this subsection is subject to an administrative penalty of $100.] 18
[(b)] Each licensed perfusionist shall: 19
(1) Keep a copy of the license in the licensee’s employment file; and 20
(2) Make the license available for inspection on request. 21
14–5E–16. 22
(a) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 14–405 of this title, a disciplinary panel, 23
on the affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum of the disciplinary panel, may [deny a 24
license to any applicant,] reprimand any licensee, place any licensee on probation, or 25
suspend or revoke a license, if the [applicant or] licensee: 26
(1) Fraudulently or deceptively obtains or attempts to obtain a license for 27
the applicant or licensee or for another; 28
(2) Fraudulently or deceptively uses a license; 29 SENATE BILL 972 73
(3) Is guilty of unprofessional or immoral conduct in the practice of 1
perfusion; 2
(4) Is professionally, physically, or mentally incompetent; 3
(5) Abandons a patient; 4
(6) Is habitually intoxicated; 5
(7) Is addicted to or habitually abuses any narcotic or controlled dangerous 6
substance as defined in § 5–101 of the Criminal Law Article; 7
(8) Provides professional services while: 8
(i) Under the influence of alcohol; or 9
(ii) Using any narcotic or controlled dangerous substance as defined 10
in § 5–101 of the Criminal Law Article or any other drug that is in excess of therapeutic 11
amounts or without valid medical indication; 12
(9) Promotes the sale of services, drugs, devices, appliances, or goods to a 13
patient so as to exploit the patient for financial gain; 14
(10) Willfully makes or files a false report or record in the practice of 15
perfusion; 16
(11) Willfully fails to file or record any report as required under law, 17
willfully impedes or obstructs the filing or recording of a report, or induces another to fail 18
to file or record a report; 19
(12) Breaches patient confidentiality; 20
(13) Pays or agrees to pay any sum or provide any form of remuneration or 21
material benefit to any person for bringing or referring a patient or accepts or agrees to 22
accept any sum or any form of remuneration or material benefit from an individual for 23
bringing or referring a patient; 24
(14) Knowingly makes a misrepresentation while practicing perfusion; 25
(15) Knowingly practices perfusion with an unauthorized individual or aids 26
an unauthorized individual in the practice of perfusion; 27
(16) Knowingly delegates a perfusion duty to an unlicensed individual; 28
(17) Offers, undertakes, or agrees to cure or treat disease by a secret 29
method, treatment, or medicine; 30 74 SENATE BILL 972
(18) Is disciplined by a licensing or disciplinary authority or is convicted or 1
disciplined by a court of any state or country or is disciplined by any branch of the United 2
States uniformed services or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for an act that would 3
be grounds for disciplinary action under the Board’s disciplinary statutes; 4
(19) Fails to meet appropriate standards for the delivery of perfusion 5
services; 6
(20) Knowingly submits false statements to collect fees for which services 7
are not provided; 8
(21) (i) Has been subject to investigation or disciplinary action by a 9
licensing or disciplinary authority or by a court of any state or country for an act that would 10
be grounds for disciplinary action under the Board’s disciplinary statutes; and 11
(ii) Has: 12
1. Surrendered the license, if any, issued by the state or 13
country; or 14
2. Allowed the license, if any, issued by the state or country 15
to expire or lapse; 16
(22) Knowingly fails to report suspected child abuse in violation of § 5–704 17
of the Family Law Article; 18
(23) Sells, prescribes, gives away, or administers drugs for illegal or 19
illegitimate medical purposes; 20
(24) Practices or attempts to practice beyond the authorized scope of 21
practice; 22
(25) Refuses, withholds from, denies, or discriminates against an individual 23
with regard to the provision of professional services for which the licensee is licensed and 24
qualified to render because the individual is HIV positive; 25
(26) Practices or attempts to practice a perfusion procedure or uses or 26
attempts to use perfusion equipment if the applicant or licensee has not received education 27
and training in the performance of the procedure or the use of the equipment; 28
(27) Fails to cooperate with a lawful investigation of the Board or a 29
disciplinary panel; or 30
(28) Fails to complete a criminal history records check under [§ 14–308.1] § 31
14–302 of this title. 32
SENATE BILL 972 75
14–5F–07. 1
(G) A QUORUM OF THE COMMITTEE CONSISTS OF THREE MEMBERS . 2
14–5F–11. 3
(a) [To] IN ADDITION TO THE RE QUIREMENTS UNDER § 14–301 OF THIS 4
TITLE, TO qualify for a license, an [applicant shall be an individual who meets the 5
requirements of this section. 6
(b) The applicant shall be of good moral character. 7
(c) The] applicant shall be at least 21 years old. 8
[(d)] (B) Except as provided in § 14–5F–12 of this subtitle, the applicant shall: 9
(1) Have a doctorate in naturopathic medicine from an approved 10
naturopathic medical program; and 11
(2) Pass the competency –based national naturopathic licensing 12
examination Part I and Part II administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic 13
Examiners, or its successor agency that has been nationally recognized to administer a 14
naturopathic examination that represents federal standards of education and training. 15
[(e)] (C) An applicant shall be physically and mentally capable of safely 16
practicing naturopathic medicine with or without reasonable accommodation. 17
[(f)] (D) If an applicant is licensed, certified, or registered to practice 18
naturopathic medicine or any other health occupation in another state, the applicant shall 19
be in good standing with the applicable state licensing, certification, or registration 20
authority. 21
[(g) An applicant shall complete a criminal history records check in accordance 22
with § 14–308.1 of this title.] 23
14–5F–12. 24
To apply for a license, an applicant shall: 25
[(1) Complete a criminal history records check in accordance with § 26
14–308.1 of this title; 27
(2) Submit an application to the Board on a form that the Board requires; 28
(3) Pay to the Board an application fee set by the Board;] 29
76 SENATE BILL 972
[(4)] (1) If the applicant has been licensed, certified, or registered to 1
practice naturopathic medicine in another state, submit all evidence relating to: 2
(i) Any disciplinary action taken or any administrative penalties 3
assessed against the applicant by the appropriate state licensing, certification, or 4
registration authority; and 5
(ii) Any consent agreements the applicant entered into that contain 6
conditions placed on the applicant’s professional conduct and practice, including any 7
voluntary surrender of a license; 8
[(5)] (2) Complete and submit to the Board a Board–approved written 9
attestation that: 10
(i) States that the applicant has a collaboration and consultation 11
agreement with a physician licensed under this article; 12
(ii) Includes the name and license number of the physician with 13
whom the applicant has a collaboration and consultation agreement; 14
(iii) States that the applicant will refer patients to and consult with 15
physicians and other health care providers licensed or certified under this article as needed; 16
and 17
(iv) States that the applicant will require patients to sign a consent 18
form that states that the applicant’s practice of naturopathic medicine is limited to the 19
scope of practice identified in § 14–5F–14 of this subtitle; and 20
[(6)] (3) Inform the physician named in the attestation that the physician 21
has been named. 22
14–5F–15. 23
[(a) (1) The term of a license issued by the Board may not exceed 3 years. 24
(2) A license expires on a date set by the Board, unless the license is 25
renewed as provided in this section. 26
(b) At least 1 month before the license expires, the Board shall send to the licensee 27
a renewal notice that states: 28
(1) The date on which the current license expires; 29
(2) The date by which the renewal application must be received by the 30
Board for the renewal to be issued and mailed before the license expires; and 31
(3) The amount of the renewal fee. 32 SENATE BILL 972 77
(c) The Board shall renew the license of a licensee who: 1
(1) Submits a renewal application on the form that the Board requires; 2
(2) Is of good moral character; 3
(3) Pays a renewal fee set by the Board; 4
(4) Is otherwise entitled to be licensed; 5
(5) Meets the continuing education requirements adopted by the Board; 6
and 7
(6) Provides] IN ADDITION TO MEETIN G THE LICENSE RENEWA L 8
REQUIREMENTS UNDER § 14–306 OF THIS TITLE, THE LICENSEE SHALL PROVIDE 9
evidence of biennial cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification. 10
[(d) (1) Beginning October 1, 2016, the Board shall require a criminal history 11
records check in accordance with § 14–308.1 of this title for: 12
(i) Renewal applicants as determined by regulations adopted by the 13
Board; and 14
(ii) Each former licensee who files for reinstatement under § 15
14–5F–16(b) of this subtitle. 16
(2) On receipt of the criminal history record information of a licensee 17
forwarded to the Board in accordance with § 14–308.1 of this title, in determining whether 18
disciplinary action should be taken, based on the criminal history record information, 19
against a licensee who renewed or reinstated a license, the Board shall consider: 20
(i) The age at which the crime was committed; 21
(ii) The nature of the crime; 22
(iii) The circumstances surrounding the crime; 23
(iv) The length of time that has passed since the crime; 24
(v) Subsequent work history; 25
(vi) Employment and character references; and 26
(vii) Other evidence that demonstrates whether the licensee poses a 27
threat to the public health or safety. 28
78 SENATE BILL 972
(3) The Board may renew or reinstate a license only if the licensee or 1
applicant attests that the licensee or applicant has submitted to a criminal history records 2
check under § 14–308.1 of this title. 3
(e) A disciplinary panel may impose a civil penalty of up to $100 per continuing 4
education credit in lieu of a sanction under § 14–5F–18 of this subtitle, for a first offense 5
for failure of a licensee to obtain the continuing education credits required by the Board.] 6
14–5F–16. 7
(a) [(1)] The Board may place a licensee on inactive status if the licensee 8
submits to the Board: 9
[(i)] (1) An application for inactive status on the form required by 10
the Board; and 11
[(ii)] (2) The inactive status fee set by the Board. 12
[(2)] (B) The Board shall issue a license to a naturopathic doctor who is 13
on inactive status if the individual is otherwise entitled to be licensed under this subtitle 14
and submits to the Board: 15
[(i)] (1) Satisfactory evidence of compliance with the requirements 16
of [§ 14–308.1] § 14–302 of this title; 17
[(ii)] (2) Satisfactory evidence of compliance with the continuing 18
education requirements the Board adopts for this purpose; and 19
[(iii)] (3) A reinstatement fee set by the Board. 20
[(b) The Board shall reinstate the license of a naturopathic doctor who has failed 21
to renew the license for any reason if the naturopathic doctor: 22
(1) Meets the renewal requirements of § 14–5F–15 of this subtitle; 23
(2) Pays to the Board a reinstatement fee set by the Board; and 24
(3) Submits to the Board satisfactory evidence of compliance with the 25
qualifications and requirements adopted by the Board under this subtitle for license 26
reinstatements.] 27
14–5F–18. 28
(a) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 14–405 of this title, a disciplinary panel, 29
on the affirmative vote of a majority of a quorum of the disciplinary panel, may [deny a 30 SENATE BILL 972 79
license to any applicant,] reprimand any licensee, place any licensee on probation, or 1
suspend or revoke a license of any licensee if the [applicant or] licensee: 2
(1) Is habitually intoxicated, or is addicted to or habitually abuses any 3
narcotic or controlled dangerous substance, as defined in § 5–101 of the Criminal Law 4
Article, or any drug without a valid prescription or indication, or provides professional 5
services while under the influence of alcohol or using any narcotic or controlled dangerous 6
substance, as defined in § 5–101 of the Criminal Law Article; 7
(2) Has been found to be mentally incompetent by a physician if the mental 8
incompetence impairs the ability of the applicant or licensee to undertake the practice of 9
naturopathic medicine in a manner consistent with the safety of the public; 10
(3) Has entered into a consent agreement with or has been assessed an 11
administrative penalty by a licensing authority in another state; 12
(4) Fraudulently or deceptively obtains, attempts to obtain, or uses a 13
license for the applicant, the licensee, or another; 14
(5) Has a license revoked or suspended, or was otherwise acted against, 15
including the denial of licensure, by the licensing authority of another state; 16
(6) Uses false, deceptive, or misleading advertising; 17
(7) Advertises, practices, or attempts to practice under a name other than 18
the applicant’s or licensee’s own name; 19
(8) Aids, assists, employs, or advises any unlicensed individual to practice 20
naturopathic medicine in violation of this subtitle; 21
(9) Willfully makes or files a false report or record in the practice of 22
naturopathic medicine; 23
(10) Willfully or negligently fails to file a report or record as required by law, 24
willfully impedes or obstructs the filing or recording of a report, or induces another to fail 25
to file or record a report; 26
(11) Pays or receives any commission, bonus, kickback, or rebate, or engages 27
in any split–fee arrangement in any form with a licensed physician, organization, agency, 28
or other person, either directly or indirectly, for patients referred to health care providers; 29
(12) Exercises influence within a patient–doctor relationship for purposes of 30
engaging a patient in sexual activity; 31
(13) Engages in sexual misconduct with a patient; 32
80 SENATE BILL 972
(14) Fails to keep written medical records justifying the course of treatment 1
of a patient; 2
(15) Engages in an act or omission that does not meet generally accepted 3
standards of practice of naturopathic medicine or of safe care of patients, whether or not 4
actual injury to a patient is established; 5
(16) Delegates professional responsibilities to an individual when the 6
licensee delegating the responsibilities knows or has reason to know that the individual is 7
not qualified by training, experience, or licensure to perform the responsibilities; 8
(17) Promotes the sale of services, drugs, devices, appliances, or goods to a 9
patient so as to exploit the patient for financial gain; 10
(18) Breaches patient confidentiality; 11
(19) Is guilty of unprofessional or immoral conduct in the practice of 12
naturopathic medicine; 13
(20) Offers, undertakes, or agrees to cure or treat a disease by a secret 14
method, treatment, or medicine; 15
(21) Knowingly fails to report suspected child abuse in violation of § 5–704 16
of the Family Law Article; 17
(22) Sells, prescribes, gives away, or administers drugs for illegal or 18
illegitimate purposes; 19
(23) Denies or discriminates against an individual with regard to the 20
provision of professional services for which the licensee is licensed and qualified to render 21
because the individual is HIV positive; 22
(24) Fails to cooperate with a lawful investigation of the Board; 23
(25) Abandons a patient; 24
(26) Violates any provision of this title or any regulation adopted by the 25
Board; or 26
(27) Fails to complete a criminal history records check under [§ 14–308.1] § 27
14–302 of this title. 28
14–5F–21. 29
[(a) The Board shall give notice and hold a hearing in accordance with the 30
Administrative Procedure Act. 31
SENATE BILL 972 81
(b) The individual may be represented at the hearing by counsel. 1
(c) Over the signature of an officer or the administrator of the Board, the Board 2
or a disciplinary panel may issue subpoenas and administer oaths in connection with any 3
investigation under this subtitle and any hearings or proceedings before the Board or a 4
disciplinary panel. 5
(d) If, without lawful excuse, a person disobeys a subpoena from the Board or a 6
disciplinary panel or an order by the Board or a disciplinary panel to take an oath or to 7
testify or answer a question, then, on petition of the Board, a court of competent jurisdiction 8
may punish the person as for contempt of court. 9
(e) If, after due notice, the individual against whom the action is contemplated 10
fails or refuses to appear, the Board or a disciplinary panel may hear and determine the 11
matter. 12
(f)] If, after a hearing IN ACCORDANCE WITH T HE ADMINISTRATIVE 13
PROCEDURE ACT, an individual is found in violation of § 14–5F–18 of this subtitle, the 14
individual shall pay the costs of the hearing as specified in a regulation adopted by the 15
Board. 16
14–5F–24. 17
(c) A disciplinary panel may not reinstate a surrendered or revoked license that 18
has been surrendered or revoked for a period of more than 1 year unless the licensee: 19
(1) Meets the requirements for reinstatement as established under this 20
title; and 21
(2) Completes a criminal history records check in accordance with [§ 22
14–308.1] § 14–302 of this title. 23
14–5G–09. 24
(a) To qualify for a license to practice genetic counseling, an applicant shall be an 25
individual who meets the requirements of this section AND § 14–301 OF THIS TITLE. 26
(b) [The applicant must be of good moral character. 27
(c) The applicant must be at least 18 years old. 28
(d)] The applicant must be a graduate of an appropriate education program 29
approved by the Board. 30
82 SENATE BILL 972
[(e)] (C) Except as provided in subsection [(f)] (D) of this section, the applicant 1
shall submit to the Board satisfactory evidence of certification by a national certifying 2
organization approved by the Board. 3
[(f)] (D) If an applicant does not meet the requirement under subsection [(e)] 4
(C) of this section, the applicant may qualify for licensure if the applicant: 5
(1) Has worked as a genetic counselor for: 6
(i) At least 10 years before January 1, 2024; and 7
(ii) At least 5 consecutive years immediately preceding the date on 8
which the applicant submits the application for licensure; 9
(2) Has graduated from an education program approved by the Board; 10
(3) Submits to the Board three letters of recommendation from licensed 11
physicians who have been licensed for at least 5 years or certified genetic counselors eligible 12
for licensure and who: 13
(i) Have worked with the applicant in an employment or 14
professional setting for 3 years before the applicant submits the application for licensure; 15
and 16
(ii) Can attest to the applicant’s competency in providing genetic 17
counseling services; and 18
(4) Applies for initial licensure on or before December 31, 2024. 19
[(g) The applicant shall complete a criminal history records check in accordance 20
with § 14–308.1 of this title.] 21
[(h)] (E) The applicant shall meet any additional education, training, or 22
examination requirements established by the Board. 23
14–5G–14. 24
(h) A supervised genetic counselor is subject to discipline under [§ 14–5G–19] § 25
14–5G–18 of this subtitle to the same extent as a genetic counselor. 26
14–5G–17. 27
A disciplinary panel may issue a cease and desist order for[: 28
(1) Practicing genetic counseling without a license or with an unauthorized 29
person; or 30 SENATE BILL 972 83
(2) Supervising] SUPERVISING or aiding an unauthorized person in the 1
practice of genetic counseling. 2
14–5G–18. 3
(a) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 14–405 of this title, a disciplinary panel, 4
on the affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum of the disciplinary panel, may [deny a 5
license to any applicant,] reprimand any licensee, place any licensee on probation, or 6
suspend or revoke a license, if the [applicant or] licensee: 7
(1) Fraudulently or deceptively obtains or attempts to obtain a license for 8
the applicant or licensee or for another; 9
(2) Fraudulently or deceptively uses a license; 10
(3) Is guilty of unprofessional or immoral conduct while practicing genetic 11
counseling; 12
(4) Is professionally, physically, or mentally incompetent; 13
(5) Abandons a patient; 14
(6) Is habitually intoxicated; 15
(7) Is addicted to or habitually abuses any narcotic or controlled dangerous 16
substance as defined in § 5–101 of the Criminal Law Article; 17
(8) Provides professional services while: 18
(i) Under the influence of alcohol; or 19
(ii) Using any narcotic or controlled dangerous substance as defined 20
in § 5–101 of the Criminal Law Article or any other drug that is in excess of therapeutic 21
amounts or without valid medical indication; 22
(9) Promotes the sale of services, drugs, devices, appliances, or goods to a 23
patient so as to exploit the patient for financial gain; 24
(10) Willfully makes or files a false report or record in the practice of genetic 25
counseling; 26
(11) Willfully fails to file or record any report as required under law, 27
willfully impedes or obstructs the filing or recording of a report, or induces another to fail 28
to file or record a report; 29
(12) Breaches patient confidentiality; 30 84 SENATE BILL 972
(13) Pays or agrees to pay any sum or provide any form of remuneration or 1
material benefit to any person for bringing or referring a patient or accepts or agrees to 2
accept any sum or any form of remuneration or material benefit from an individual for 3
bringing or referring a patient; 4
(14) Knowingly makes a misrepresentation while practicing genetic 5
counseling; 6
(15) Knowingly practices genetic counseling with an unauthorized 7
individual or aids an unauthorized individual in practicing genetic counseling; 8
(16) Knowingly delegates a genetic counseling duty to an unlicensed 9
individual; 10
(17) Grossly overutilizes health care services; 11
(18) Offers, undertakes, or agrees to cure or treat disease by a secret 12
method, treatment, or medicine; 13
(19) Is disciplined by a licensing or disciplinary authority or is convicted or 14
disciplined by a court of any state or country or is disciplined by any branch of the United 15
States uniformed services or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for an act that would 16
be grounds for disciplinary action under the Board’s disciplinary statutes; 17
(20) Fails to meet appropriate standards for the delivery of genetic 18
counseling services; 19
(21) Knowingly submits false statements to collect fees for which services 20
are not provided; 21
(22) (i) Has been subject to investigation or disciplinary action by a 22
licensing or disciplinary authority or by a court of any state or country for an act that would 23
be grounds for disciplinary action under the Board’s disciplinary statutes; and 24
(ii) Has: 25
1. Surrendered the license, if any, issued by the state or 26
country; or 27
2. Allowed the license, if any, issued by the state or country 28
to expire or lapse; 29
(23) Knowingly fails to report suspected child abuse in violation of § 5–704 30
of the Family Law Article; 31
SENATE BILL 972 85
(24) Practices or attempts to practice beyond the authorized scope of 1
practice; 2
(25) Refuses, withholds from, denies, or discriminates against an individual 3
with regard to the provision of professional services for which the licensee is licensed and 4
qualified to render because the individual is HIV positive; 5
(26) Practices or attempts to practice genetic counseling procedures or uses 6
or attempts to use genetic assessments if the applicant or licensee has not received 7
education and training in the performance of the procedure or the use of the genetic 8
assessment; 9
(27) Fails to cooperate with a lawful investigation of the Board or a 10
disciplinary panel; 11
(28) Fails to complete a criminal history records check under [§ 14–308.1] § 12
14–302 of this title; or 13
(29) Violates any provision of this title or any rule or regulation pertaining 14
to genetic counseling that is adopted by the Board, the State, or the federal government. 15
SUBTITLE 5H. PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS. 16
14–5H–01. 17
(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. 18
[(d) “Board” means the State Board of Physicians, established under § 14–201 of 19
this article.] 20
[(e)] (D) “Committee” means the Physician Assistant Advisory Committee. 21
[(f)] (E) “Controlled dangerous substances” has the meaning stated in § 5–101 22
of the Criminal Law Article. 23
[(g)] (F) “Correctional facility” includes a State or local correctional facility. 24
[(h)] (G) “Delegated medical acts” means activities that constitute the practice 25
of medicine delegated by a physician under [Title 14 of this article] THIS TITLE. 26
[(i)] (H) “Delegation agreement” means a document that is executed by a 27
primary supervising physician and a physician assistant containing the requirements of [§ 28
15–302] § 14–5H–08 of this [title] SUBTITLE. 29
[(i–1) “Disciplinary panel” means a disciplinary panel of the Board established 30
under § 14–401 of this article.] 31 86 SENATE BILL 972
[(j)] (I) “Dispense” or “dispensing” has the meaning stated in § 12–101 of this 1
article. 2
[(k)] (J) “Drug sample” means a unit of a prescription drug that is intended to 3
promote the sale of the drug and is not intended for sale. 4
[(l)] (K) “Hospital” means: 5
(1) A hospital as defined under § 19–301 of the Health – General Article; 6
(2) A comprehensive care facility that: 7
(i) Meets the requirements of a hospital–based skilled nursing 8
facility under federal law; and 9
(ii) Offers acute care in the same building; and 10
(3) An emergency room that is physically connected to a hospital or a 11
freestanding medical facility that is licensed under Title 19, Subtitle 3A of the Health – 12
General Article. 13
[(m)] (L) “License” means a license issued by the Board to a physician assistant 14
under this title. 15
[(n)] (M) “National certifying examination” means the Physician Assistant 16
National Certifying Examination administered by the National Commission on 17
Certification of Physician Assistants or its successor. 18
[(o)] (N) “Physician assistant” means an individual who is licensed under this 19
title to practice medicine with physician supervision. 20
[(p)] (O) “Practice as a physician assistant” means the performance of medical 21
acts that are: 22
(1) Delegated by a supervising physician to a physician assistant; 23
(2) Within the supervising physician’s scope of practice; and 24
(3) Appropriate to the physician assistant’s education, training, and 25
experience. 26
[(q)] (P) “Prescriptive authority” means the authority delegated by a primary or 27
alternate supervising physician to a physician assistant to: 28
SENATE BILL 972 87
(1) Prescribe and administer controlled dangerous substances, prescription 1
drugs, medical devices, and the oral, written, or electronic ordering of medications; and 2
(2) Dispense as provided under [§ 15–302.2(b), (c), and (d)] § 3
14–5H–10(B), (C), AND (D) of this [title] SUBTITLE. 4
[(r)] (Q) “Primary supervising physician” means a physician who: 5
(1) Completes a delegation agreement that meets the requirements under 6
[§§ 15–301(d) and (e) and 15–302] §§ 14–5H–07(D) AND (E) AND 14–5H–08 of this [title] 7
SUBTITLE and files a copy with the Board; 8
(2) Acts as the physician responsible to ensure that a physician assistant 9
practices medicine in accordance with this title and the regulations adopted under this title; 10
(3) Ensures that a physician assistant practices within the scope of practice 11
of the primary supervising physician or any designated alternate supervising physician; 12
and 13
(4) Ensures that a list of alternate supervising physicians is maintained at 14
the practice setting. 15
[(s)] (R) “Public health facility” means a site where clinical public health 16
services are rendered under the auspices of the Department, a local health department in 17
a county, or the Baltimore City Health Department. 18
[(t)] (S) “Starter dosage” means an amount of a drug sufficient to begin therapy: 19
(1) Of short duration of 72 hours or less; or 20
(2) Prior to obtaining a larger quantity of the drug to complete therapy. 21
[(u)] (T) (1) “Supervision” means the responsibility of a physician to exercise 22
on–site supervision or immediately available direction for physician assistants performing 23
delegated medical acts. 24
(2) “Supervision” includes physician oversight of and acceptance of direct 25
responsibility for the patient services and care rendered by a physician assistant, including 26
continuous availability to the physician assistant in person, through written instructions, 27
or by electronic means and by designation of one or more alternate supervising physicians. 28
14–5H–02. 29
[(a)] A physician assistant may not practice within the scope of practice of any of 30
the following health occupations authorized under this article: 31
88 SENATE BILL 972
(1) Nursing; 1
(2) Optometry; 2
(3) Physical therapy; or 3
(4) Psychology. 4
[(b) This title does not limit the right of an individual to practice a health 5
occupation that the individual is authorized to practice under this article.] 6
14–5H–03. 7
(c) Except as otherwise provided under subsections (b) and (d) of this section, a 8
hospital, a related institution, an alternative health care system, or an employer of a 9
physician assistant shall report to the Board any limitation, reduction, or other change of 10
the terms of employment of the physician assistant or any termination of employment of 11
the physician assistant for any reason that might be grounds for disciplinary action under 12
[§ 15–314] § 14–5H–16 of this [title] SUBTITLE. 13
(d) A hospital, related institution, alternative health system, or employer that has 14
reason to know that a physician assistant has committed an action or has a condition that 15
might be grounds for reprimand or probation of the physician assistant or suspension or 16
revocation of the license of the physician assistant under [§ 15–314] § 14–5H–16 of this 17
[title] SUBTITLE because the physician assistant is alcohol– or drug–impaired is not 18
required to report to the Board if: 19
(1) The hospital, related institution, alternative health system, or 20
employer knows that the physician assistant is: 21
(i) In an alcohol or drug treatment program that is accredited by the 22
Joint Commission [on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations] or is certified by the 23
Department; or 24
(ii) Under the care of a health care practitioner who is competent 25
and capable of dealing with alcoholism and drug abuse; 26
(2) The hospital, related institution, alternative health system, or 27
employer is able to verify that the physician assistant remains in the treatment program 28
until discharge; and 29
(3) The action or condition of the physician assistant has not caused injury 30
to any person while the physician assistant is practicing as a licensed physician assistant. 31
(e) (1) If the physician assistant enters, or is considering entering, an alcohol 32
or drug treatment program that is accredited by the Joint Commission [on Accreditation of 33 SENATE BILL 972 89
Healthcare Organizations] or that is certified by the Department, the physician assistant 1
shall notify the hospital, related institution, alternative health system, or employer of the 2
physician assistant’s decision to enter the treatment program. 3
14–5H–06. 4
(a) In addition to the powers set forth elsewhere in this title, the Committee, on 5
its initiative or on the Board’s request, may: 6
(1) Recommend to the Board regulations for carrying out the provisions of 7
this title; 8
(2) Recommend to the Board approval, modification, or disapproval of an 9
application for licensure or a delegation agreement; 10
(3) Report to the Board any conduct of a supervising physician or a 11
physician assistant that may be cause for disciplinary action under this [title] SUBTITLE 12
or under [§ 14–404 of this article] § 14–515 OF THIS TITLE; and 13
(4) Report to the Board any alleged unauthorized practice of a physician 14
assistant. 15
14–5H–07. 16
(c) Patient services that may be provided by a physician assistant include: 17
(1) (i) Taking complete, detailed, and accurate patient histories; and 18
(ii) Reviewing patient records to develop comprehensive medical 19
status reports; 20
(2) Performing physical examinations and recording all pertinent patient 21
data; 22
(3) Interpreting and evaluating patient data as authorized by the primary 23
or alternate supervising physician for the purpose of determining management and 24
treatment of patients; 25
(4) Initiating requests for or performing diagnostic procedures as indicated 26
by pertinent data and as authorized by the supervising physician; 27
(5) Providing instructions and guidance regarding medical care matters to 28
patients; 29
90 SENATE BILL 972
(6) Assisting the primary or alternate supervising physician in the delivery 1
of services to patients who require medical care in the home and in health care institutions, 2
including: 3
(i) Recording patient progress notes; 4
(ii) Issuing diagnostic orders; and 5
(iii) Transcribing or executing specific orders at the direction of the 6
primary or alternate supervising physician; and 7
(7) Exercising prescriptive authority under a delegation agreement and in 8
accordance with [§ 15–302.2] § 14–5H–10 of this subtitle. 9
14–5H–08. 10
(c) (2) (ii) 1. Before a physician assistant may perform X–ray duties 11
authorized under [§ 14–306(e)] § 14–503(E) of this [article] TITLE in the medical office of 12
the physician delegating the duties, a primary supervising physician shall obtain the 13
Board’s approval of a delegation agreement that includes advanced duties in accordance 14
with subsubparagraph 2 of this subparagraph. 15
(g) If the Board determines that a primary or alternate supervising physician or 16
physician assistant is practicing in a manner inconsistent with the requirements of this 17
title [or Title 14 of this article], the Board on its own initiative or on the recommendation 18
of the Committee may demand modification of the practice, withdraw the approval of the 19
delegation agreement, or refer the matter to a disciplinary panel for the purpose of taking 20
other disciplinary action under [§ 14–404 or §15–314] § 14–5H–16 OF THIS SUBTITLE OR 21
§ 14–515 of this [article] TITLE. 22
(k) Subject to the [notice] NOTIFICATION required under [§ 15–103] § 23
14–5H–03 of this [title] SUBTITLE, a physician assistant may terminate a delegation 24
agreement filed with the Board under this subtitle at any time. 25
(l) (2) If there is no designated alternate supervising physician or the 26
designated alternate supervising physician does not agree to supervise the physician 27
assistant, the physician assistant may not practice until the physician assistant receives 28
approval of a new delegation agreement under [§ 15–302.1] § 14–5H–09 of this subtitle. 29
(m) A physician assistant whose delegation agreement is terminated may not 30
practice as a physician assistant until the physician assistant receives preliminary 31
approval of a new delegation agreement under [§ 15–302.1] § 14–5H–09 of this subtitle. 32
14–5H–09. 33
SENATE BILL 972 91
(a) If a delegation agreement does not include advanced duties or the advanced 1
duties have been approved under [§ 15–302(c)(1)] § 14–5H–08(C)(1) of this subtitle, a 2
physician assistant may assume the duties under a delegation agreement on the date that 3
the Board acknowledges receipt of the completed delegation agreement. 4
(b) In this section, “pending” means that a delegation agreement that includes 5
delegation of advanced duties in a setting that does not meet the requirements under [§ 6
15–302(c)(1)] § 14–5H–08(C)(1) of this subtitle has been executed and submitted to the 7
Board for its approval, but: 8
(1) The Committee has not made a recommendation to the Board; or 9
(2) The Board has not made a final decision regarding the delegation 10
agreement. 11
14–5H–10. 12
(e) Before a physician assistant may renew a license for an additional 2–year 13
term under [§ 15–307] § 14–306 of this [subtitle] TITLE, the physician assistant shall 14
submit evidence to the Board of successful completion of 8 category 1 hours of pharmacology 15
education within the previous 2 years. 16
14–5H–12. 17
(a) [To] IN ADDITION TO THE RE QUIREMENTS UNDER § 14–301 OF THIS 18
TITLE, TO qualify for a license, an applicant shall: 19
[(1) Complete a criminal history records check in accordance with § 20
14–308.1 of this article; 21
(2) Be of good moral character; 22
(3) Demonstrate oral and written competency in the English language as 23
required by the Board; 24
(4) Be at least 18 years old; and 25
(5) (i)] (1) Be a graduate of a physician assistant training program 26
approved by the Board; or 27
[(ii)] (2) Have passed the physician assistant national certifying 28
examination administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician 29
Assistants prior to 1986, maintained all continuing education and recertification 30
requirements, and been in continuous practice since passage of the examination. 31
14–5H–14. 32 92 SENATE BILL 972
[(a)] Each licensee shall keep a license and delegation agreement for inspection at 1
the primary place of business of the licensee. 2
[(b) (1) Each licensee shall give the Board written notice of any change of name 3
or address within 60 days of the date of the change. 4
(2) A licensee who fails to comply with this subsection is subject to an 5
administrative penalty of $100.] 6
14–5H–15. 7
(a) [(1)] Except as otherwise provided under § 10–226 of the State Government 8
Article, before the Board takes any action to reject or modify a delegation agreement or 9
advanced duty, the Board shall give the licensee the opportunity for a hearing before the 10
Board. 11
[(2)] (B) The Board shall give notice and hold the hearing under Title 10, 12
Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article. 13
[(3)] (C) The Board may adminis ter oaths in connection with any 14
proceeding under this section. 15
[(4)] (D) At least 14 days before the hearing, the hearing notice shall be 16
sent to the last known address of the applicant or licensee. 17
[(b) Any licensee aggrieved under this subtitle by a final decision of the Board 18
rejecting or modifying a delegation agreement or advanced duty may petition for judicial 19
review as allowed by the Administrative Procedure Act.] 20
14–5H–16. 21
(a) Subject to the hearing provisions of [§ 15–315] § 14–405 of this [subtitle] 22
TITLE, a disciplinary panel, on the affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum, may 23
reprimand any physician assistant, place any physician assistant on probation, or suspend 24
or revoke a license if the physician assistant: 25
(1) Fraudulently or deceptively obtains or attempts to obtain a license for 26
the applicant or licensee or for another; 27
(2) Fraudulently or deceptively uses a license; 28
(3) Is guilty of: 29
(i) Immoral conduct in the practice of medicine; or 30
SENATE BILL 972 93
(ii) Unprofessional conduct in the practice of medicine; 1
(4) Is professionally, physically, or mentally incompetent; 2
(5) Solicits or advertises in violation of [§ 14–503] § 14–5H–19 of this 3
[article] SUBTITLE; 4
(6) Abandons a patient; 5
(7) Habitually is intoxicated; 6
(8) Is addicted to, or habitually abuses, any narcotic or controlled 7
dangerous substance as defined in § 5–101 of the Criminal Law Article; 8
(9) Provides professional services: 9
(i) While under the influence of alcohol; or 10
(ii) While using any narcotic or controlled dangerous substance, as 11
defined in § 5–101 of the Criminal Law Article, or other drug that is in excess of therapeutic 12
amounts or without valid medical indication; 13
(10) Promotes the sale of drugs, devices, appliances, or goods to a patient so 14
as to exploit the patient for financial gain; 15
(11) Willfully makes or files a false report or record in the practice of 16
medicine; 17
(12) Willfully fails to file or record any medical report as required under law, 18
willfully impedes or obstructs the filing or recording of the report, or induces another to fail 19
to file or record the report; 20
(13) On proper request, and in accordance with the provisions of Title 4, 21
Subtitle 3 of the Health – General Article, fails to provide details of a patient’s medical 22
record to the patient, another physician, or hospital; 23
(14) Solicits professional patronage through an agent or other person or 24
profits from the acts of a person who is represented as an agent of the physician; 25
(15) Pays or agrees to pay any sum to any person for bringing or referring a 26
patient or accepts or agrees to accept any sum from any person for bringing or referring a 27
patient; 28
(16) Agrees with a clinical or bioanalytical laboratory to make payments to 29
the laboratory for a test or test series for a patient, unless the licensed physician assistant 30
discloses on the bill to the patient or third–party payor: 31
94 SENATE BILL 972
(i) The name of the laboratory; 1
(ii) The amount paid to the laboratory for the test or test series; and 2
(iii) The amount of procurement or processing charge of the licensed 3
physician, if any, for each specimen taken; 4
(17) Makes a willful misrepresentation in treatment; 5
(18) Practices medicine with an unauthorized person or aids an 6
unauthorized person in the practice of medicine; 7
(19) Grossly overutilizes health care services; 8
(20) Offers, undertakes, or agrees to cure or treat disease by a secret 9
method, treatment, or medicine; 10
(21) Is disciplined by a licensing or disciplinary authority or convicted or 11
disciplined by a court of any state or country or disciplined by any branch of the United 12
States uniformed services or the Veterans’ Administration for an act that would be grounds 13
for disciplinary action under this section; 14
(22) Fails to meet appropriate standards for the delivery of quality medical 15
and surgical care performed in an outpatient surgical facility, office, hospital, or any other 16
location in this State; 17
(23) Willfully submits false statements to collect fees for which services are 18
not provided; 19
(24) Was subject to investigation or disciplinary action by a licensing or 20
disciplinary authority or by a court of any state or country for an act that would be grounds 21
for disciplinary action under this section and the licensee: 22
(i) Surrendered the license issued by the state or country to the 23
state or country; or 24
(ii) Allowed the license issued by the state or country to expire or 25
lapse; 26
(25) Knowingly fails to report suspected child abuse in violation of § 5–704 27
of the Family Law Article; 28
(26) Fails to educate a patient being treated for breast cancer of alternative 29
methods of treatment as required by § 20–113 of the Health – General Article; 30
(27) Sells, prescribes, gives away, or administers drugs for illegal or 31
illegitimate medical purposes; 32 SENATE BILL 972 95
(28) Fails to comply with the provisions of § 12–102 of this article; 1
(29) Refuses, withholds from, denies, or discriminates against an individual 2
with regard to the provision of professional services for which the physician assistant is 3
licensed and qualified to render because the individual is HIV positive; 4
(30) Except as to an association that has remained in continuous existence 5
since July 1, 1963: 6
(i) Associates with a pharmacist as a partner or co–owner of a 7
pharmacy for the purpose of operating a pharmacy; 8
(ii) Employs a pharmacist for the purpose of operating a pharmacy; 9
or 10
(iii) Contracts with a pharmacist for the purpose of operating a 11
pharmacy; 12
(31) Except in an emergency life–threatening situation where it is not 13
feasible or practicable, fails to comply with the Centers for Disease Control and 14
Prevention’s guidelines on universal precautions; 15
(32) Fails to display the notice required under [§ 14–415] § 14–519 of this 16
[article] TITLE; 17
(33) Fails to cooperate with a lawful investigation conducted by the Board 18
or a disciplinary panel; 19
(34) Is convicted of insurance fraud as defined in § 27–801 of the Insurance 20
Article; 21
(35) Is in breach of a service obligation resulting from the applicant’s or 22
licensee’s receipt of State or federal funding for the physician assistant’s medical education; 23
(36) Willfully makes a false representation when seeking or making 24
application for licensure or any other application related to the practice of medicine; 25
(37) By corrupt means, threats, or force, intimidates or influences, or 26
attempts to intimidate or influence, for the purpose of causing any person to withhold or 27
change testimony in hearings or proceedings before the Board or a disciplinary panel or 28
those otherwise delegated to the Office of Administrative Hearings; 29
(38) By corrupt means, threats, or force, hinders, prevents, or otherwise 30
delays any person from making information available to the Board or a disciplinary panel 31
in furtherance of any investigation of the Board or a disciplinary panel; 32
96 SENATE BILL 972
(39) Intentionally misrepresents credentials for the purpose of testifying or 1
rendering an expert opinion in hearings or proceedings before the Board or a disciplinary 2
panel or those otherwise delegated to the Office of Administrative Hearings; 3
(40) Fails to keep adequate medical records; 4
(41) Performs delegated medical acts beyond the scope of the delegation 5
agreement filed with the Board or after notification from the Board that an advanced duty 6
has been disapproved; 7
(42) Performs delegated medical acts without the supervision of a physician; 8
(43) Fails to complete a criminal history records check under [§ 14–308.1] § 9
14–302 of this [article] TITLE; 10
(44) Fails to comply with the requirements of the Prescription Drug 11
Monitoring Program in Title 21, Subtitle 2A of the Health – General Article; 12
(45) Fails to comply with the requirements of the Prescription Drug 13
Monitoring Program under Title 21, Subtitle 2A of the Health – General Article; or 14
(46) Fails to comply with any State or federal law pertaining to the practice 15
as a physician assistant. 16
(C) IF, AFTER A HEARING UNDE R § 14–405 OF THIS TITLE, A DISCIPLINARY 17
PANEL FINDS THAT THE RE ARE GROUNDS FOR D ISCIPLINE UNDER SUBS ECTION (A) 18
OF THIS SECTION TO SUSPEND O R REVOKE A LICENSE O F A PHYSICIAN ASSIST ANT, 19
REPRIMAND A LICENSED PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT , OR PLACE THE LICENSE D 20
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT ON PROBATION , THE DISCIPLINARY PAN EL MAY IMPOSE A 21
FINE SUBJECT TO THE BOARD’S REGULATIONS IN ADD ITION TO SUSPENDING OR 22
REVOKING THE LICENSE , REPRIMANDING THE LIC ENSEE, OR PLACING THE 23
LICENSEE ON PROBATIO N. 24
(D) THE BOARD SHALL PAY ANY F INES COLLECTED UNDER THIS SECTION 25
INTO THE GENERAL FUND OF THE STATE. 26
(E) IN ADDITION TO ANY SA NCTION AUTHORIZED UN DER THIS SUBTITLE, A 27
DISCIPLINARY PANEL M AY REQUIRE A LICENSE E TO COMPLY WITH SPE CIFIED 28
TERMS AND CONDITIONS DETERMINED BY THE DI SCIPLINARY PANEL . 29
14–5H–21. 30
(a) A person who violates [§ 15–401 or § 15–402] § 14–5H–18 OR § 14–5H–19 31
of this subtitle: 32
SENATE BILL 972 97
(1) Is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not 1
exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or both; and 2
(2) Shall lose licensure as a physician assistant under this title. 3
(b) (1) In addition to the penalties under subsection (a) of this section, a person 4
who violates [§ 15–401] § 14–5H–18 of this subtitle may be subject to a civil penalty 5
assessed by a disciplinary panel in an amount not exceeding $5,000. 6
(2) In addition to the penalties under paragraph (1) of this subsection, a 7
person who violates [§ 15–309] § 14–5H–14 of this [title] SUBTITLE may be subject to a 8
civil penalty assessed by a disciplinary panel in an amount not exceeding $100. 9
(3) The Board shall pay any civil penalty collected under this subsection 10
into the Board of Physicians Fund. 11
14–5H–22. 12
This [title] SUBTITLE may be cited as the “Maryland Physician Assistants Act”. 13
14–5H–23. 14
Subject to the evaluation and reestablishment provisions of the Maryland Program 15
Evaluation Act, this [title] SUBTITLE and all regulations adopted under this [title] 16
SUBTITLE shall terminate and be of no effect after July 1, 2030. 17
Article – Transportation 18
13–616. 19
(a) (1) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 20
(7) “Licensed physician assistant” means an individual who is licensed 21
under Title [15] 14, SUBTITLE 5H of the Health Occupations Article to practice medicine 22
with physician supervision. 23
SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 24
as follows: 25
Article – Health Occupations 26
14–3A–01. 27
The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact is enacted into law and entered into with 28
all other states legally joining in it in the form substantially as it appears in this section as 29
follows: 30 98 SENATE BILL 972
SECTION 5. APPLICATION AND ISSUANCE OF EXPEDITED LICENSURE 1
(b) (3) (i) The member board within the state selected as the state of 2
principal license shall, in the course of verifying eligibility, require the applicant to obtain 3
a criminal background check as required under [§ 14–308.1] § 14–302 of this title, 4
including the use of the results of fingerprint or other biometric data checks compliant with 5
the requirements of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the exception of federal 6
employees who have suitability determination in accordance with U.S. C.F.R. § 731.202. 7
SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 8
as follows: 9
Article – Tax – General 10
10–752. 11
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 12
(3) “Health care practitioner” means an individual who: 13
(i) is licensed to practice medicine under Title 14 of the Health 14
Occupations Article; 15
(ii) is a physician assistant, as defined in [§ 15–101] § 14–5H–01 of 16
the Health Occupations Article; or 17
(iii) is a registered nurse practitioner, as defined in § 8–101 of the 18
Health Occupations Article. 19
(d) (7) The Fund consists of: 20
(i) revenue distributed to the Fund under [§ 15–206] § 14–207 of 21
the Health Occupations Article; 22
(ii) money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; and 23
(iii) any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit 24
of the Fund. 25
SECTION 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the publisher of the 26
Annotated Code of Maryland, in consultation with and subject to the approval of the 27
Department of Legislative Services, shall correct, with no further action required by the 28
General Assembly, cross–references and terminology rendered incorrect by this Act. The 29
publisher shall adequately describe any correction that is made in an editor’s note following 30
the section affected. 31
SENATE BILL 972 99
SECTION 7. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 1
October 1, 2022. Section 4 of this Act shall remain effective until the taking effect of the 2
termination provision specified in Section 5 of Chapter 470 of the Acts of the General 3
Assembly of 2018. If that termination provision takes effect, Section 4 of this Act shall be 4
abrogated and of no further force and effect. Section 5 of this Act shall remain effective 5
until the taking effect of the termination provision specified in Section 6 of Chapters 153 6
and 154 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2021. If that termination provision takes 7
effect, Section 5 of this Act shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect. This Act 8
may not be interpreted to have any effect on those termination provisions. 9