AN ACT concerning                                                                                       

Task Force to Study Health Professional-Cient Sexual Exploitation

FOR the purpose of establishing a Task Force to develop comprehensive strategies for
preventing and reducing the incidence of sexual exploitation of clients by health
professionals; providing for the membership, duties, and staffing of the Task Force;
and requiring a certain report.                                                              

BY adding to

Article 41 - Governor - Executive and Administrative Departments

Section 18-304                                                                                 

Annotated Code of Maryland                                                             

(1990 Replacement Volume and 1992 Supplement)             

Preamble

WHEREAS, Sexual exploitation of clients by health professionals is widely
recognized as a serious problem with significant consequences; and

WHEREAS, A nationwide study of psychiatrists revealed that 65 percent of those
responding had been consulted by at least one client who had been sexually exploited by
another health professional; and

WHEREAS, Documented cases show clearly that these acts of sexual exploitation
usually result in severe harm to clients, which may include loss of employment, marital
and family disruption, psychiatric hospitalization, and even suicide; and

WHEREAS, The prevalence of the problem of sexual exploitation undermines the
client's confidence in the health professions; and

WHEREAS, Increasing numbers of cases have been reported in Maryland over
the past decade, representing eleven percent of all cases referred for prosecution to the
Office of the Attorney. General by the health professions licensing boards between
January 1989 and June 1992; and                                                   

WHEREAS, Many organizations, including the Committee on Ethics and the
Judiciary of the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the
Maryland Psychiatric Society, the Maryland Psychological Association, the Maryland
Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, and the Medical and Chirurgical

CHAPTER 299
(House Bill 389)

Ch. 299

1993 LAWS OF MARYLAND

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 1993.

Approved May 11, 1993:

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