Maryland Health - General Section 19-307
§ 19-307.
  (a)   (1)   A hospital shall be classified:
      (i)   As a general hospital if the hospital at least has the facilities and provides the services that are necessary for the general medical and surgical care of patients;
      (ii)   As a special hospital if the hospital:
        1.   Defines a program of specialized services, such as obstetrics, mental health, tuberculosis, orthopedy, chronic disease, or communicable disease;
        2.   Admits only patients with medical or surgical needs within the program; and
        3.   Has the facilities for and provides those specialized services;
      (iii)   As a special rehabilitation hospital if the hospital meets the requirements of this subtitle and Subtitle 12 of this title; or
      (iv)   As a limited service hospital if the health care facility:
        1.   Is licensed as a hospital on or after January 1, 1999;
        2.   Changes the type or scope of services offered by eliminating the capability to admit or retain individuals for overnight hospitalization;
        3.   Retains an emergency or urgent care center; and
        4.   Complies with the regulations adopted by the Secretary under § 19-307.1 of this subtitle.
    (2)   The Secretary may set, by rule or regulation, other reasonable classifications for hospitals.
  (b)   A related institution shall be classified:
    (1)   As a care home if the related institution provides care to individuals who, because of advanced age or physical or mental disability, require domiciliary care or personal care in a protective environment; or
    (2)   As a nursing home if the related institution:
      (i)   Provides nursing care for chronically ill or convalescent patients; or
      (ii)   Offers to provide 24-hour a day nursing care of patients in a home-type facility such as:
        1.   A convalescent home;
        2.   A nursing unit of a home for the aged;
        3.   A psychiatric nursing home;
        4.   A nursing facility for individuals with disabilities;
        5.   A home for alcoholics; or
        6.   A halfway house.