{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-health-general-19-3a-02","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Health - General § 19–3A–02","heading":"","body":"(a) On or before January 1, 2006, the Department shall adopt regulations for licensing a freestanding medical facility that uses in its title or advertising the word “emergency” or other language indicating to the public that medical treatment for immediately life-threatening medical conditions is available at that freestanding medical facility.\n(b) The regulations shall require the freestanding medical facility to:\n(1) Be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week;\n(2) Have available at all times:\n(i) At least 1 physician who is credentialed in emergency medicine by the hospital of which the freestanding medical facility is an administrative part;\n(ii) A sufficient number of registered nurses and other health care professionals to provide advanced life support;\n(iii) Basic diagnostic and laboratory facilities and technicians;\n(iv) Resuscitation supplies and equipment, including monitors, defibrillators, cardiac medications, intubation equipment, and intravenous line equipment;\n(v) A commercial ambulance for transport of individuals in need of hospitalization or other emergency care; and\n(vi) Emergency services to all individuals, regardless of ability to pay;\n(3) Comply with all Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems emergency transport protocols established for the freestanding medical facility;\n(4) (i) Comply, except in a life–threatening emergency in which compliance is not feasible or practicable, with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on universal precautions; and\n(ii) Display the notice developed under § 1–207 of the Health Occupations Article that explains the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines on universal precautions at the entrance to the freestanding medical facility;\n(5) Refrain from use of the words “emergency department”, “emergency room”, or “hospital”; and\n(6) Meet any other standard that the Secretary deems necessary to ensure the quality and safety of services provided by a freestanding medical facility.","path":["Article - Health - General"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=ghg\u0026section=19-3A-02","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:58:48Z","sha256":"db2c6b15ae48965dfab049b24893ae4501f1caaa50b23846666066a7aa6961a7","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-health-general-19-3a-01","next":"us-md/md.-code-health-general-19-3a-03"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}