Ch. 731

LAWS OF MARYLAND

addition to certain other provisions of law governing
medical laboratories; requiring the Secretary of Health and
Mental Hygiene to conduct a certain proficiency program for
medical laboratories certain cytology personnel in the
State; specifying that the proficiency testing program
certain proficiency tests for certain physicians be
conducted in a certain manner; requiring cytology medical
laboratories to pay a certain fee for the cost of a
proficiency test; requiring the Department, in consultation
with the State Board of Medical Examiners and the Medical
and Chirurgical Faculty, to conduct a certain study and to
report its findings to the General Assembly by a certain
date; and generally relating to the regulation of certain
medical laboratories and physicians conducting certain
medical laboratory procedures.

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,

Article - Health - General
Section 17-201, 17-205, and 17-216
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1987 Replacement Volume)

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article - Health - General
Section 17-202 and 17-212
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1987 Replacement Volume)

Preamble

WHEREAS, The proper performance of medical laboratory
services is a matter of vital concern, affecting public health,
safety, and welfare; and

WHEREAS, Medical laboratories provide essential public
health services in aiding the medical practitioner by furnishing
information invaluable to the diagnosis and treatment of disease;
and

WHEREAS, Many medical laboratory services in Maryland are
conducted in individual physicians' offices which are only
minimally regulated by the State; and

WHEREAS, The improper performance of a laboratory procedure
may result in an erroneous diagnosis or contribute to the
selection of an inappropriate method of treatment; and

WHEREAS, The protection of the people of this State requires
affirmative action to insure that the performance of medical

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