HARRY HUGHES, Governor

2833

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1980 Replacement Volume and 1980 Supplement)

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be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows: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

556.

(a)  The jurisdiction of this law includes all
"hospitals" and "related institutions" to which are admitted
or retained in residence for overnight care or which provide
directly or through contract arrangements home health care
services for two or more nonrelated individuals needing
medical, nursing, personal, or domiciliary care as described
and classified in this section except that in the case of
homes offering domiciliary care only, the jurisdiction
begins with homes having four or more nonrelated individuals
but this law may not be construed to include any dispensary
or first-aid treatment facilities maintained solely for and
limited to services for employees or students of any
commercial or industrial plant, educational institution, or
convent, county home or almshouse, motels, hotels,
apartments and facilities maintaining services for persons
capable of independent living.

(b)  "Hospital" as herein used is defined as any
institution which falls within the jurisdiction of this
subtitle and maintains and operates facilities for the
provision of diagnostic and treatment services for two (2)
or more nonrelated patients under the supervision of
physicians who are members of an organized medical staff of
not less than (5) legally, ethically and professionally
qualified physicians.

(c)  Hospitals shall be classified as general or
special hospitals as follows:

(1)  General hospitals shall meet the definition
in subsection (b) above and shall maintain facilities and
services necessary for (but not limited to) the general
medical and surgical care of patients.

(2)  Special hospitals shall meet the definition
in subsection (b) above but shall limit admission of
patients to those having medical or surgical needs which
fall within the scope of the program defined by the
institution and maintain facilities and provide specialized
services such as obstetrical, mental, tuberculosis,
orthopedic, chronic disease, rehabilitation, or communicable
disease to meet the needs of the patients admitted.

(d) (1) "Related institutions" means any organized
institution, environment, or home which falls within the