Title 3
Health Facilities
Subtitle 1
[Repealed by Ord. 12-027]
Subtitle 2
Nursing Homes
§ 3-201. "Nursing home" defined.
In this subtitle, "nursing home" means:
(1) a comprehensive care facility, as defined in COMAR 10.07.02.01B(6);
(2) an assisted living program, as defined in COMAR 10.07.14.02B(10); and
(3) an extended care facility, as defined in COMAR 10.07.02.01B(12).
§ 3-202. Cooling requirements.
From June 1 through September 30 of each year, every nursing home must maintain and operate, throughout all rooms and areas that are occupied or used by residents, a cooling system that maintains a temperature of less than 82° F.
§ 3-203. Equipment and supply standards.
(a) Commissioner to develop.
The Commissioner must develop standards and requirements for the following items used in nursing homes:
(1) patient lifting and mobility equipment;
(2) bathroom and shower equipment; and
(3) linens and toiletries.
(b) Nursing homes to comply.
Every nursing home must comply with the standards and requirements adopted under this section.
3-204 to 3-205. {Reserved}
§ 3-206. Civil penalties: $1,000.
(a) In general.
Any person who violates any provision of this subtitle is subject to a civil fine of not more than $1,000 for each offense.
(b) Each day a separate offense.
Each day that a violation continues is a separate offense.
Subtitle 3
City Clinics and Centers
§ 3-301. Commissioner may establish.
The Commissioner of Health may establish health clinics and centers in the City.
§ 3-302. Operational guidelines and procedures.
(a) In general.
The Commissioner must adopt guidelines and procedures for the administration and operation of these clinics and centers.
(b) Scope.
Among other matters, the guidelines and procedures must govern:
(1) the eligibility of individuals for services; and
(2) the fees to be charged for those services.
§ 3-303. Fees.
Fees for services at City clinics and centers:
(1) may not exceed the actual cost of the services; and
(2) must be approved by the Board of Estimates.
Subtitle 4
Temporary Hospitals
§ 3-401. Establishment.
To prevent morbidity or mortality constituting a threat to public health, the Commissioner of Health, with the approval of the Mayor may:
(1) rent or erect suitable structures for temporary hospitals or places to receive the sick or infected; and
(2) require sick or infected individuals to be moved to these temporary hospitals or places.
§ 3-402. Rules and regulations.
In the rules and regulations adopted under § 2-106 {"Rules and regulations"} of this article, the Commissioner may, with the approval of the Mayor, adopt rules and regulations to govern:
(1) all temporary hospitals or places established under this section; and
(2) all individuals residing in or in any way concerned with them.
§ 3-403. Individuals too sick to move.
If an individual cannot be moved without danger to his or her health, the house or place where he or she remains is considered to be a temporary hospital for purposes of this subtitle.
3-404 to 3-405. {Reserved}
§ 3-406. Penalties: $500.
(a) In general.
Any person who violates a rule or regulation adopted under this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $500 for each offense.
(b) Each day a separate offense.
Each day that a violation continues is a separate offense.
Subtitle 5
Limited-Service Pregnancy Centers
§ 3-501. "Limited-service pregnancy center" defined.
In this subtitle, "limited-service pregnancy center" means any person:
(1) whose primary purpose is to provide pregnancy-related services; and
(2) who:
(i) for a fee or as a free service, provides information about pregnancy-related services; but
(ii) does not provide or refer for:
(A) abortions; or
(B) nondirective and comprehensive birth-control services.
§ 3-502. Disclaimer required.
(a) In general.
A limited-service pregnancy center must provide its clients and potential clients with a disclaimer substantially to the effect that the center does not provide or make referral for abortion or birth-control services.
(b) How given.
The disclaimer required by this section must be given through 1 or more signs that are:
(1) written in English and Spanish;
(2) easily readable; and
(3) conspicuously posted in the center's waiting room or other area where individuals await service.
§ 3-503. Violation notice.
If the Health Commissioner learns that a pregnancy center is in violation of this subtitle, the Commissioner shall issue a written notice ordering the center to correct the violation within 10 days of the notice or within any longer period that the Commissioner specifies in the notice.
3-504 to 3-505. {Reserved}
§ 3-506. Enforcement by citation.
(a) In general.
The failure to comply with an order issued under § 3-503 {"Violation notice"} of this subtitle may be enforced by issuance of:
(1) an environmental citation under City Code Article 1, Subtitle 40 {"Environmental Control Board"}; or
(2) a civil citation under City Code Article 1, Subtitle 41 {"Civil Citations"}.
(b) Process not exclusive.
The issuance of a citation to enforce this subtitle does not preclude pursuing any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement action authorized by law.