(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the following applies:
(1) If a nursing administrator, a registered nurse, an advanced practice registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse, or a certified nursing assistant knows of an action or condition that might be grounds for action under § 8–316 or Subtitle 6A of this title, the nursing administrator, registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or certified nursing assistant shall report the action or condition to the Board; and
(2) An individual shall have the immunity from liability described under § 5–709 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article for making a report as required by this subsection.
(b) If a nurse administrator, a registered nurse, an advanced practice registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse, or a certified nursing assistant has reason to know that a licensee or certificate holder has committed an action or has a condition that might be grounds for reprimand or probation of the licensee or certificate holder or suspension or revocation of the license under § 8–316 or § 8–6A–10 of this title because the licensee or certificate holder has a substance use disorder, the nurse administrator, registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or certified nursing assistant is not required to report the licensee or certificate holder to the Board if:
(1) The nurse administrator, registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or certified nursing assistant knows that the licensee or certificate holder is in an alcohol or drug treatment program that is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, is certified by the Department, or is under the care of a health care practitioner who is competent and capable of dealing with substance use disorder;
(2) The nurse administrator, registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or certified nursing assistant is able to verify that the licensee or certificate holder remains in the treatment program until discharge; and
(3) The action or condition of the licensee or certificate holder has not caused injury to any individual while the licensee is practicing registered nursing or licensed practical nursing or the certificate holder is working as an advanced practice registered nurse or a nursing assistant.
(c) An individual is not required under this section to make any report that would be in violation of any federal or State law, rule, or regulation concerning the confidentiality of patient substance use disorder records.
Structure Maryland Statutes
Subtitle 5 - Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 8-501 - Master Planning
Section 8-502 - Specific Task Advisory Committees
Section 8-503 - Peer Advisory Committee
Section 8-504 - Employer to Report About Licensees
Section 8-505 - Report of Certain Actions or Conditions
Section 8-508 - Preparation and Dispensing of Drugs by Nurse Practitioners
Section 8-509 - Law Enforcement Agency to Notify Board of Complaints
Section 8-510 - Demonstration Studies to Evaluate Regulation Changes
Section 8-511 - Dispensing Methadone in Licensed Clinic
Section 8-512 - Registered Nurses Preparing and Dispensing Drugs and Devices