2842                                          LAWS OF MARYLAND                                      Ch. 749

generally relating to establishing patient care advisory
committees in hospitals.

BY adding to

Article - Health - General

Section 19-370 through 19-374 to be under the new part "Part

IX. Patient Care Advisory Committees"
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1982 Volume and 1985 Supplement)

Preamble

WHEREAS, There has been rapid development of medical
technology, the appropriate application of which requires careful
decision making; and

WHEREAS, Doctors, patients, relatives, and the courts are
being forced to make difficult choices with respect to medical
treatment and care; and

WHEREAS, Difficult medical care questions arise throughout
the continuum of life; and

WHEREAS, There is a need for the development and monitoring
of policies to help families and care providers who face these
difficult choices and a need to educate families and providers;
now, therefore,

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Health - General

19-368. RESERVED.

19-369. RESERVED.

PART IX. PATIENT CARE ADVISORY COMMITTEES

19-370.

(A)  IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

(B)  "ADVICE" MEANS THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ADVISORY
COMMITTEE.

(C)  "ADVISORY COMMITTEE" MEANS A PATIENT CARE ADVISORY
COMMITTEE.

(D)  "PETITIONER" MEANS ONE OF THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS WHO
IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING A DECISION WITH A MEDICAL CONSEQUENCE
FOR A PATIENT: