WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                           Ch. 183

WHEREAS, The Study found that the locus of care has shifted from the acute
hospital setting to individuals' homes and that this shift requires a need for
high technology home medical equipment to support the individual at home; and

WHEREAS, The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
has available an accreditation procedure for homo medical equipment providers; and

WHEREAS, State licensure of home medical equipment providers is desirable to
ensure that adequate quality of care is provided; and

WHEREAS, State licensure of home medical equipment providers is desirable to
ensure that there is appropriate screening of these providers; and

WHEREAS, State licensure of home medical equipment providers is desirable to
ensure that the public authority exists to investigate complaints of fraud and
overcharging; now, therefore,

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Health - General

SUBTITLE 17. HOME MEDICAL EQUIPMENT PROVIDERS

19-1701.

(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

(B) "HOME MEDICAL EQUIPMENT PROVIDER" MEANS A PERSON WHO
ENGAGES IN THE BUSINESS OF PROVIDING HOME MEDICAL EQUIPMENT SERVICES,
WHETHER DIRECTLY OR THROUGH A CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT, TO AN
UNRELATED SICK OR DISABLED INDIVIDUAL IN THE RESIDENCE OF THE
INDIVIDUAL A NONINSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENT.

Subtitle 4A. Residential Service Agencies

19-4A-01.

(a)     In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b)      "Home health care" includes any of the following services:

(1)     Audiology and speech pathology;

(2)     Dietary and nutritional services;

(3)     Drug services;

(4)     Home health aide;

(5)     Laboratory;

(6)     Medical social services;

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