WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                             Ch. 9

(5) MAKE AGREEMENTS WITH A GRANTOR OR PAYOR OF FUNDS,
PROPERTY, OR SERVICES, INCLUDING AN AGREEMENT TO MAKE ANY STUDY, PLAN,
DEMONSTRATION, OR PROJECT; AND

(6) EXCEPT FOR CONFIDENTIAL OR PRIVILEGED PATIENT
INFORMATION, PUBLISH OR DISCLOSE INFORMATION THAT RELATES TO THE
UTILIZATION AND COSTS OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES RENDERED BY PHARMACISTS,
PHYSICIANS, OR OFFICE FACILITIES AND THAT IS CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC

INTEREST.

(B) WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF INCLUDING ALL HEALTH CARE
PROVIDERS REGULATED UNDER THE HEALTH OCCUPATIONS ARTICLE, THE
COMMISSION SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS TO INCLUDE OTHER TYPES OF HEALTH
CARE PRACTITIONERS IN THE MEDICAL CARE DATA BASE. ADDITIONAL PROVIDER
GROUPS MAY BE INCLUDED ONLY IF THE COMMISSION HAD INCLUDED IN THEIR
ANNUAL REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR THE PREVIOUS YEAR THE
RECOMMENDATION THAT THAT TYPE OF HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER BE
INCLUDED IN THE MEDICAL CARE DATA BASE.

(C) (B) IN ADDITION TO THE DUTIES SET FORTH ELSEWHERE IN THIS
SUBTITLE, THE COMMISSION SHALL:

(1)     PREPARE ANNUALLY A BUDGET PROPOSAL THAT INCLUDES THE
ESTIMATED INCOME OF THE COMMISSION AND PROPOSED EXPENSES FOR ITS
ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION; AND

(2) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1 OF EACH YEAR, SUBMIT TO THE
GOVERNOR, TO THE SECRETARY, AND SUBJECT TO § 2-1312 OF THE STATE
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AN ANNUAL REPORT ON THE
OPERATIONS AND ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMISSION DURING THE PRECEDING
FISCAL YEAR, INCLUDING ANY POLICY RECOMMENDATION THAT THE COMMISSION
CONSIDERS RELEVANT.

(D) (C) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL SET REASONABLE DEADLINES FOR
THE FILING OF INFORMATION OR REPORTS IT REQUIRES UNDER THIS SUBTITLE.

(2)     THE COMMISSION MAY ADOPT REGULATIONS THAT IMPOSE
REASONABLE PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO FILE A REPORT AS REQUIRED.

(E) (D) EXCEPT FOR CONFIDENTIAL OR PRIVILEGED PATIENT
INFORMATION, THE COMMISSION SHALL MAKE:

(1) EACH SUMMARY, COMPILATION, AND REPORT REQUIRED UNDER
THIS SUBTITLE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT THE OFFICE OF THE
COMMISSION DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS; AND

(2) EACH SUMMARY, COMPILATION, AND REPORT AVAILABLE TO ANY
OTHER STATE AGENCY ON REQUEST.

(F) (E) (1) THE COMMISSION MAY CONTRACT WITH A QUALIFIED,
INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY FOR ANY SERVICE NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE
POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.

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