3082

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 603

596.

APPLICATIONS, FILINGS, AND REPORTS REQUIRED UNDER THIS
SUBTITLE, EXCEPT CONTRACTS REFERRED TO IN § 583(C)(4) AND (5) AND
COMPLAINTS FILED PURSUANT TO § 589 OF THIS SUBTITLE, ARE PUBLIC
DOCUMENTS AND MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED CONFIDENTIAL.

597.

(A)  DATA OR INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE DIAGNOSIS,
TREATMENT, OR HEALTH OF ANY ENROLLEE OBTAINED BY THE DENTAL PLAN
ORGANIZATION, OR HEALTH OF ANY ENROLLEE OBTAINED BY THE DENTAL
PLAN ORGANIZATION FROM THE ENROLLEE OR ANY DENTIST ARE
CONFIDENTIAL AND MAY NOT BE DISCLOSED TO ANY PERSON EXCEPT:

(1)  TO THE EXTENT THAT IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO CARRY
OUT THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBTITLE;

(2)  ON THE EXPRESS CONSENT OF THE ENROLLEE;

(3)  UNDER STATUTE OR COURT ORDER FOR THE PRODUCTION
OR THE DISCOVERY OF EVIDENCE; OR

(4)  IN THE EVENT OF CLAIM OR LITIGATION BETWEEN THE
ENROLLEE AND THE DENTAL PLAN ORGANIZATION WHERE THE DATA OR
INFORMATION IS PERTINENT.

(B)  A DENTAL PLAN ORGANIZATION IS ENTITLED TO CLAIM ANY
STATUTORY PRIVILEGES AGAINST DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION THAT THE
DENTIST WHO FURNISHES THE INFORMATION TO THE DENTAL ORGANIZATION
IS ENTITLED TO CLAIM.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That if any provision
of this Act or the application thereof to any person or
circumstance is held invalid for any reason, the invalidity shall
not affect the other provisions or any other application of this
Act which can be given effect without the invalid provisions or
application, and to this end all the provisions of this Act are
declared to be severable.

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall
take effect July 1, 1984.

Approved May 29, 1984.