858

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 21

THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO A WOMAN WHO OBJECTS TO A
STANDARD SEROLOGICAL SYPHILIS TEST BECAUSE THE TEST IS
AGAINST THE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES OF THE WOMAN.

(B) BLOOD TESTS REQUIRED.

(1) THE INDIVIDUAL ATTENDING A WOMAN FOR
PREGNANCY SHALL SUBMIT TO A MEDICAL LABORATORY:

(I)  A BLOOD SAMPLE TAKEN FROM THE WOMAN AT
THE TIME THAT THE INDIVIDUAL FIRST EXAMINES THE WOMAN; AND

(II)  A BLOOD SAMPLE TAKEN FROM THE WOMAN
DURING THE THIRD TRIMESTER OF THE PREGNANCY.

(2) THE MEDICAL LABORATORY TO WHICH A BLOOD
SAMPLE IS SUBMITTED SHALL DO A STANDARD SEROLOGICAL SYPHILIS
TEST THAT IS APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived
without substantive change from former Article
43, § 31B(a), (b), (c), and (e).

In subsection (b) of this section, the references
to a "medical laboratory" are substituted for the
ambiguous references to an "approved laboratory",
which suggested that a laboratory is "approved"
for purposes of this test. This substitution
conforms to the terminology used in Title 17,
Subtitle 2 of this article, which requires a
permit to operate a "medical laboratory".
Therefore, former Article 43, § 31B(d), which
described an "approved laboratory", is deleted as
unnecessary.

In subsection (b)(1) of this section, the former
specific references to the individuals who take
the blood sample are deleted as unnecessary.

Defined term: "Department" § 1-101

18-308. GONOCOCCAL OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM.

(A)  USE OF PROPHYLACTIC.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIRTH OF A CHILD, THE ATTENDING
PHYSICIAN OR ATTENDING NURSE MIDWIFE SHALL USE IN THE EYES
OF THE CHILD A PROPHYLACTIC, APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT,
AGAINST GONOCOCCAL OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM.

(B)  TESTS REQUIRED.

IF, WITHIN 2 WEEKS AFTER THE BIRTH OF A CHILD, AN EYE
OF THE CHILD BECOMES INFLAMED OR SWOLLEN: