(a) In this section, "compulsory process" includes a subpoena, summons,
warrant, or court order that appears on its face to have been issued on
lawful authority.
(b) A health care provider shall disclose a medical record without the
authorization of a person in interest:
(1) To a unit of State or local government, or to a member of a
multidisciplinary team assisting the unit, for purposes of
investigation or treatment in a case of suspected abuse or neglect of a
child or an adult, subject to the following conditions:
(i) The health care provider shall disclose only the medical record of a
person who is being assessed in an investigation or to whom services
are being provided in accordance with Title 5, Subtitle 7 or Title 14,
Subtitle 3 of the Family Law Article;
(ii) The health care provider shall disclose only the information in the
medical record that will, in the professional judgment of the provider,
contribute to the:
1. Assessment of risk;
2. Development of a service plan;
3. Implementation of a safety plan; or
4. Investigation of the suspected case of abuse or neglect; and
(iii) The medical record may be redisclosed as provided in Article 88A, § 6
of the Code;
(2) Subject to the additional limitations for a medical record developed
primarily in connection with the provision of mental health services in
§ 4-307 of this subtitle, to health professional licensing and
disciplinary boards, in accordance with a subpoena for medical records
for the sole purpose of an investigation regarding:
(i) Licensure, certification, or discipline of a health professional; or
(ii) The improper practice of a health profession;
(3) To a health care provider or the provider's insurer or legal counsel,
all information in a medical record relating to a patient or
recipient's health, health care, or treatment which forms the basis
for the issues of a claim in a civil action initiated by the patient,
recipient, or person in interest;
(4) Notwithstanding any privilege in law, as needed, to a medical review
committee as defined in § 1-401 of the Health Occupations Article or
a dental review committee as defined in § 4-501 of the Health
Occupations Article;
(5) To another health care provider as provided in § 19-308.2 or §
10-807 of this article;
(6) Subject to the additional limitations for a medical record developed
primarily in connection with the provision of mental health services in
§ 4-307 of this subtitle and except as otherwise provided in items
(2), (7), and (8) of this subsection, in accordance with compulsory
process, if the health care provider receives:
(i) 1. A written assurance from the party or the attorney representing the
party seeking the medical records that:
A. A person in interest has not objected to the disclosure of the
designated medical records and 30 days have elapsed since the notice
was sent; or
B. The objections of a person in interest have been resolved and the
request for disclosure is in accordance with the resolution;
2. Proof that service of the subpoena, summons, warrant, or court order
has been waived by the court for good cause; or
3. A copy of an order entered by a court expressly authorizing disclosure
of the designated medical records; and
(ii) For disclosures made under item (i) of this paragraph, copies of the
following items that were mailed by certified mail to the person in
interest by the person requesting the disclosure at least 30 days
before the records are to be disclosed:
1. The subpoena, summons, warrant, or court order seeking the disclosure
or production of the records;
2. This section; and
3. A notice in the following form or a substantially similar form:
__________________________ In the
Plaintiffs ______________
v. For
______________
__________________________
Defendants
Case No.:_______
NOTICE TO (Patient Name)
IN COMPLIANCE WITH § 4-306 OF THE HEALTH - GENERAL ARTICLE,
ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND
TAKE NOTE that medical records regarding (Patient Name), have
been subpoenaed from the (Name and address of Health Care Provider)
pursuant to the attached subpoena and § 4-306 of the Health -
General Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. This subpoena ____ does
____ does not (mark one) seek production of mental health records.
Please examine these papers carefully. IF YOU HAVE ANY OBJECTION
TO THE PRODUCTION OF THESE DOCUMENTS, YOU MUST FILE A MOTION FOR A
PROTECTIVE ORDER OR A MOTION TO QUASH THE SUBPOENA ISSUED FOR THESE
DOCUMENTS UNDER MARYLAND RULES 2-403 AND 2-510 NO LATER THAN THIRTY
(30) DAYS FROM THE DATE THIS NOTICE IS MAILED. For example, a
protective order may be granted if the records are not relevant to the
issues in this case, the request unduly invades your privacy, or causes
you specific harm.
Also attached to this form is a copy of the subpoena duces tecum
issued for these records.
If you believe you need further legal advice about this matter,
you should consult your attorney.
_________________
Attorney
(Firm Name
Attorney address
Attorney phone number)
Attorneys for
(Name of Party Represented)
Certificate of Service
I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing notice was mailed,
first-class postage prepaid, this ___ day of __________, 200_ to
______________
Patient
____________________
Each Counsel in Case
______________
Attorney
(7) Subject to the additional limitations for a medical record developed
primarily in connection with the provision of mental health services in
§ 4-307 of this subtitle, to grand juries, prosecution agencies, law
enforcement agencies or their agents or employees to further an
investigation or prosecution, pursuant to a subpoena, warrant, or court
order for the sole purposes of investigating and prosecuting criminal
activity, provided that the prosecution agencies and law enforcement
agencies have written procedures to protect the confidentiality of the
records;
(8) To the Maryland Insurance Administration when conducting an
investigation or examination pursuant to Title 2, Subtitle 2 of the
Insurance Article, provided that the Insurance Administration has
written procedures to maintain the confidentiality of the records;
(9) To a State or local child fatality review team established under Title
5, Subtitle 7 of this article as necessary to carry out its official
functions; or
(10) To a local domestic violence fatality review team established under
Title 4, Subtitle 7 of the Family Law Article as necessary to carry out
its official functions.
(c) When a disclosure is sought under this section:
(1) A written request for disclosure or written confirmation by the health
care provider of an oral request that justifies the need for disclosure
shall be inserted in the medical record of the patient or recipient;
and
(2) Documentation of the disclosure shall be inserted in the medical record
of the patient or recipient.
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