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

      (b)      "County" means a county of this State and, unless expressly provided otherwise, Baltimore City.

      (c)      "Department" means the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

      (d)      "Health officer" means, unless expressly provided otherwise, the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health or the health officer of a county.

      (e)      "Includes" or "including" means includes or including by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

      (f)      "Local health planning agency" means the health department of a jurisdiction or a body designated by the local health department to perform health planning functions.

      (g)      "Medical examiner" means:

            (1)      The Chief Medical Examiner;

            (2)      The Deputy Chief Medical Examiner;

            (3)      Any assistant medical examiner; or

            (4)      Any deputy medical examiner.

      (h)      "Person" means an individual, receiver, trustee, guardian, personal representative, fiduciary, or representative of any kind and any partnership, firm, association, corporation, or other entity.

      (i)      "Physician" means an individual who is authorized under the Maryland Medical Practice Act to practice medicine in this State.

      (j)      "Secretary" means the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene.

      (k)      "State" means:

            (1)      A state, possession, or territory of the United States;

            (2)      The District of Columbia; or

            (3)      The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.