Ch. 645

LAWS OF MARYLAND

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article - Health Occupations

Section 7-302(f), 13-302(e), 14-305(g), and 15-302(g)

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1986 Replacement Volume and 1987 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That Section(s) l-101(g) through (k), respectively, of
Article - Health Occupations of the Annotated Code of Maryland be
renumbered to be Section(s) l-101(h) through (1), respectively.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of
Maryland read as follows:

Article - Health Occupations

1-101.

(G) "ORAL COMPETENCY" MEANS GENERAL ENGLISH SPEAKING
PROFICIENCY AS EVIDENCED BY ACHIEVEMENT OF A PASSING SCORE
OBTAINED ON A BOARD APPROVED STANDARDIZED TEST.

7-302.

(f) (1) The Board shall require as part of its examination
or licensing procedures that an applicant for a license to
practice registered nursing or licensed practical nursing
demonstrate an oral competency in the English language.

(2)  Graduation FROM A RECOGNIZED ENGLISH SPEAKING
UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOL AFTER AT LEAST 3 YEARS OF ENROLLMENT, OR
from a recognized[,] English speaking[,] professional school is
acceptable as proof of proficiency in the oral communication of
the English language under this section.

(3)  BY REGULATION, THE BOARD SHALL DEVELOP A
PROCEDURE FOR TESTING INDIVIDUALS WHO BECAUSE OF THEIR SPEECH
IMPAIRMENT ARE UNABLE TO COMPLETE SATISFACTORILY A BOARD APPROVED
STANDARDIZED TEST OF ORAL COMPETENCY.

(4)  IF ANY DISCIPLINARY CHARGES OR ACTION THAT
INVOLVES A PROBLEM WITH THE ORAL COMMUNICATION OF THE ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ARE BROUGHT AGAINST A LICENSEE UNDER THIS TITLE, THE
BOARD SHALL REQUIRE THE LICENSEE TO TAKE AND PASS A BOARD
APPROVED STANDARDIZED TEST OF ORAL COMPETENCY.

13-302.

(e) (1) The Board shall require as part of its examination
or licensing procedures that an applicant for a license to

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