WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor

(G) A PATIENT IDENTIFYING NUMBER OBTAINED FROM AN ANONYMOUS
AND CONFIDENTIAL TEST SITE WHICH IS APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE MAY BE EVIDENCE OF A PATIENT'S INFORMED
CONSENT IN LIEU OF A PATIENT'S SIGNATURE.

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

Article - Health - General

18-336.

(A) IN THIS SECTION, HEALTH CARE PROVIDER MEANS A PERSON,
PHYSICIAN, A PHYSICIAN'S DESIGNEE, OR A DESIGNEE OF A HEALTH CARE
FACILITY LICENSES OR CERTIFIED UNDER THE HEALTH OCCUPATIONS
ARTICLE OR OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

IN THIS SECTION, "HEALTH CARE PROVIDER" MEANS A PERSON LICENSED
OR CERTIFIED UNDER THE HEALTH OCCUPATION ARTICLE.

(B) (B) IF AN INDIVIDUAL INFORMED OF THE INDIVIDUAL'S HIV
POSITIVE STATUS UNDER § 18-335 OF THIS TITLE REFUSES TO NOTIFY
THE INDIVIDUAL'S SEXUAL AND NEEDLE-SHARING PARTNERS, THE
INDIVIDUAL'S HEALTH CARE PROVIDER PHYSICIAN MAY INFORM THE LOCAL
HEALTH OFFICER AND/OR THE INDIVIDUAL'S SEXUAL AND NEEDLE-SHARING
PARTNERS OF:

(1)  THE INDIVIDUAL'S IDENTITY; AND

(2)  THE CIRCUMSTANCES GIVING RISE TO THE NOTIFICATION
OF THE HEALTH OFFICER.

(C) (B) (C) WHEN THE LOCAL HEALTH OFFICER IS NOTIFIED, THE
HEALTH OFFICER SHALL ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF §§ 18-208 THROUGH
18-213:

(1)  WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME; AND

(2)  TO THE EXTENT FEASIBLE.

(D) (C) (D) EACH LOCAL HEALTH OFFICER SHALL REFER THE
INFECTED INDIVIDUAL AND ANY KNOWN SEXUAL OR NEEDLE-SHARING
PARTNERS OF THE INDIVIDUAL TO APPROPRIATE SERVICES FOR THE CARE,
SUPPORT, AND TREATMENT FOR THE HIV INFECTED INDIVIDUALS.

(D) (E) A PHYSICIAN ACTING IN GOOD FAITH TO PROVIDE
NOTIFICATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION MAY NOT BE HELD
LIABLE IN ANY CAUSE OF ACTION RELATED TO A BREACH OF PATIENT
CONFIDENTIALITY.

(E) (F) A PHYSICIAN ACTING IN GOOD FAITH MAY NOT BE HELD
LIABLE IN ANY CAUSE OF ACTION FOR DISCLOSING OR CHOOSING NOT TO
DISCLOSE INFORMATION RELATED TO A TEST RESULT FOR THE PRESENCE OF

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