{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-health-general-20-103","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Health - General § 20–103","heading":"","body":"(a) In this section, “qualified provider” means a physician, nurse practitioner, nurse–midwife, licensed certified midwife, physician assistant, or any other individual:\n(1) Who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized by law to practice in the State; and\n(2) For whom the performance of an abortion is within the scope of the individual’s license or certification.\n(b) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this section, a qualified provider may not perform an abortion on an unmarried minor unless the qualified provider first gives notice to a parent or guardian of the minor.\n(c) The qualified provider may perform the abortion without notice to a parent or guardian if:\n(1) The minor does not live with a parent or guardian; and\n(2) A reasonable effort to give notice to a parent or guardian is unsuccessful.\n(d) (1) The qualified provider may perform the abortion, without notice to a parent or guardian of a minor if, in the professional judgment of the qualified provider:\n(i) Notice to the parent or guardian may lead to physical or emotional abuse of the minor;\n(ii) The minor is mature and capable of giving informed consent to an abortion; or\n(iii) Notification would not be in the best interest of the minor.\n(2) The qualified provider is not liable for civil damages or subject to a criminal penalty for a decision under this subsection not to give notice.\n(e) The postal receipt that shows an article of mail was sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, bearing a postmark from the United States Postal Service, to the last known address of a parent or guardian and that is attached to a copy of the notice letter that was sent in that article of mail shall be conclusive evidence of notice or a reasonable effort to give notice, as the case may be.\n(f) A qualified provider may not provide notice to a parent or guardian if the minor decides not to have the abortion.","path":["Article - Health - General"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=ghg\u0026section=20-103","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:58:48Z","sha256":"ff8d8d8632b305826b3143fc4cbf2e109ada52c63e62fb6992470dbf3f7f8a30","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-health-general-20-102","next":"us-md/md.-code-health-general-20-104"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}