4216

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 770

dollars ($50.00) for each and every day such violation shall
continue, provided, however, that nothing herein shall be
construed to affect in any manner any of the powers and
duties of the [State Board of Health] SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND MENTAL HYGIENE or any public general law relating to the
subject of health. Any violation of the provisions of this
subsection or of any ordinance or regulation made thereunder
shall be deemed to be a misdemeanor and upon conviction
thereof shall be subject to the penalties provided
hereinabove.

HOSPITALS AND RECEPTION CENTERS OF POLITICAL
SUBDIVISIONS

252. HOSPITALS AND RECEPTION CENTERS AUTHORIZED.

(A)  "RECEPTION CENTER" DEFINED.

IN THIS SECTION, "RECEPTION CENTER" MEANS A PLACE THAT
IS ESTABLISHED FOR THE TEMPORARY CARE OF THE SICK.

(B)  IN GENERAL.

A CITY, TOWN, OR COUNTY MAY ESTABLISH A HOSPITAL OR
RECEPTION CENTER FOR ITS INHABITANTS BY:

(1)  BUILDING A HOSPITAL OR RECEPTION CENTER;

(2)  CONTRACTING FOR THE USE OF A HOSPITAL, PART
OF A HOSPITAL, OR A RECEPTION CENTER; OR

(3)  COMBINING WITH ANOTHER CITY, TOWN, OR COUNTY
TO ESTABLISH A COMMON HOSPITAL.

(C)  RECOVERING EXPENSES.

IF A PATIENT IS NOT INDIGENT, THE CITY, TOWN, OR COUNTY
MAY RECOVER THE EXPENSES INCURRED BY ITS HOSPITAL OR
RECEPTION CENTER IN CARING FOR THE PATIENT:

(1)  FROM THE PATIENT, ANY TIME WITHIN 3 YEARS
AFTER THE DISCHARGE OF THE PATIENT FROM THE HOSPITAL OR
RECEPTION CENTER; OR

(2)  FROM THE ESTATE OF THE PATIENT, IF THE
PATIENT DIES IN THE HOSPITAL OR RECEPTION CENTER.

REVISOR'S NOTE: Subsection (a) of this section is new
language added to avoid the repetitive use of
"temporary places for the reception of the sick".

Subsections (b) and (c) of this section formerly
appeared as Article 43, §§ 63 and 64.