Md. Code, Health Occupations § 11–401

(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2) “Governmental unit” means any board, commission, authority, department, or other administrative agency of this State, a county, or a municipality.

(3) “Ocular practitioner” means any practitioner who is authorized to provide services within the scope of optometry.

(b) (1) Except as provided in this subsection, a governmental unit may not interfere with the complete freedom of the public to choose any ocular practitioner.

(2) A governmental unit may make an agreement under which an ocular practitioner is to provide optometric services to the employees of a governmental unit.

(c) A governmental unit shall honor and accept any report, statement, or service made or provided by a licensed optometrist within the scope of optometry to the same extent as if the report, statement, or service was made or provided by a physician.