1712

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 349

It is imperative, therefore, that both a program for
identification, screening, diagnosis, care, and treatment of
DES exposed persons and a professional education program for
physicians be established so that exposed persons may
benefit from the best possible diagnostic procedure and
treatment; now, therefore,

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland
be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows:

Article 43 - Health

33A.

(A)  THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE SHALL
ESTABLISH, PROMOTE, AND MAINTAIN A PUBLIC INFORMATION
CAMPAIGN ON DIETHYLSTILBESTROL, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS DES.
THE CAMPAIGN SHALL BE CONDUCTED THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND
SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO A CONCERTED EFFORT AT
REACHING THOSE PERSONS OR THE OFFSPRING OF PERSONS WHO HAVE
BEEN EXPOSED TO DIETHYLSTILBESTROL TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO SEEK
MEDICAL CARE FOR THE PREVENTION OR TREATMENT OF ANY
MALIGNANT CONDITION.

(B)  THE SECRETARY, WITHIN THE FUNDS PROVIDED BY THE
STATE BUDGET, SHALL:

(1)  EXPAND EXISTING CANCER SCREENING PROGRAMS TO
DETECT BREAST CANCER, VAGINAL CANCER, CERVICAL CANCER,
VAGINAL ADENOSIS, TESTICULAR CANCER, AND ANY OTHER
MALIGNANCY AND ABNORMAL CONDITIONS RESULTING FROM
DIETHYLSTILBESTROL EXPOSURE; AND

(2)  ESTABLISH A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR THE PURPOSE
OF INSTRUCTING PHYSICIANS, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS, AND NURSES
IN THE DETECTION, DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION OF
DIETHYLSTILBESTROL EXPOSED PERSONS.

(C)  THE SECRETARY MAY REQUEST AND SHALL RECEIVE FROM
ANY DEPARTMENT, DIVISION, BOARD, BUREAU, COMMISSION, OR
AGENCY OF THE STATE OR OF ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION,
ASSISTANCE AND DATA AS WILL ENABLE HIM TO PROPERLY CARRY OUT
HIS ACTIVITIES AND EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION.
THE SECRETARY WITHIN THE FUNDS PROVIDED BY THE STATE BUDGET
MAY ALSO ENTER INTO ANY CONTRACT FOR SERVICES AS HE DEEMS
NECESSARY.

(D)  PERSONS RECEIVING SERVICES UNDER THIS SECTION MAY
BE CHARGED A FEE ESTABLISHED BY THE SECRETARY AND BASED ON
THE PERSON'S ABILITY TO PAY BASED ON A SLIDING FEE SCHEDULE
ESTABLISHED BY THE SECRETARY.

(E)  EXPENSES INCURRED, WHICH ARE GREATER THAN THE FEE
CHARGED UNDER SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION, SHALL BE
REIMBURSED BY THE STATE AFTER APPLYING AGAINST THE TOTAL