Maryland Health - General Section 4-3A-05

      The Advisory Council shall:

            (1)      Advise the General Assembly of emerging issues in the confidentiality of medical records;

            (2)      Conduct hearings;

            (3)      Monitor developments in federal law and regulations regarding:

                  (i)      Confidentiality of medical records;

                  (ii)      Health care information technology;

                  (iii)      Telemedicine; and

                  (iv)      Provider and patient communication;

            (4)      Facilitate dissemination of information on, and compliance with, federal standards for privacy of individually identifiable health information;

            (5)      Study the issue of patient or person in interest notification subsequent to:

                  (i)      The transfer of records relating to the transfer of ownership of a health care practice;

                  (ii)      The death, retirement, or change in employment of a health care practitioner; or

                  (iii)      The sale, dissolution, or bankruptcy of a corporation which has ownership interests or possession of medical records;

            (6)      Study medical databases and the electronic transmission of data in relation to its impact on patient confidentiality;

            (7)      Study emerging provider best practices for supporting patient confidentiality;

            (8)      Make recommendations to the General Assembly regarding the confidentiality of medical records; and

            (9)      On or before December 15 of each year, shall submit an annual report and its recommendations to the Governor, and subject to § 2-1246 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly.