{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-health-general-19-381","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Health - General § 19–381","heading":"","body":"(a) A hospital shall provide a patient or the legal guardian of a patient with an opportunity to designate one lay caregiver before discharge of the patient.\n(b) If a patient or the legal guardian of a patient declines to designate a lay caregiver:\n(1) The hospital shall document the decision in the patient’s medical record; and\n(2) The hospital shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions of this part.\n(c) If a patient or the legal guardian of a patient designates a lay caregiver, the hospital shall:\n(1) Record in the patient’s medical record:\n(i) The designation of the lay caregiver;\n(ii) The relationship of the lay caregiver to the patient; and\n(iii) The name, telephone number, and address of the lay caregiver; and\n(2) Request the written consent of the patient or the legal guardian of the patient to release medical information to the lay caregiver in accordance with:\n(i) The procedures of the hospital for releasing personal health information; and\n(ii) All applicable federal and State laws.\n(d) If a patient or the legal guardian of a patient declines to consent to the release of medical information to the lay caregiver, the hospital is not required to:\n(1) Provide to the lay caregiver the notice required under § 19–382 of this part; or\n(2) Consult with the lay caregiver or provide to the lay caregiver information contained in the discharge plan issued under § 19–383 of this part.\n(e) A patient or the legal guardian of a patient may change the designation of a lay caregiver in the event the lay caregiver becomes incapacitated.\n(f) A designation of a lay caregiver by a patient or the legal guardian of a patient under this section does not obligate an individual to perform any aftercare for the patient.\n(g) This section may not be construed to require a patient or the legal guardian of a patient to designate a lay caregiver.","path":["Article - Health - General"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=ghg\u0026section=19-381","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:58:48Z","sha256":"965a3ee08c192759caa2ad58bf05421e5f20e5dd648a429209ede14539fe2aee","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-health-general-19-380","next":"us-md/md.-code-health-general-19-382"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}