2013 Maryland Code
HEALTH - GENERAL
§ 8-403 - Alcohol abuse and drug abuse treatment programs -- In general

§8-403.

(a) In this section, “alcohol abuse and drug abuse treatment program”:

(1) Means any individual or organization that provides treatment, care, or rehabilitation for individuals who show the effects of drug abuse or alcohol abuse, and represents or advertises itself as an alcohol abuse or drug abuse treatment program; and

(2) Includes a program or facility that is owned or operated by this State or any of its political subdivisions.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this section, an alcohol abuse and drug abuse treatment program shall be certified by the Department before program services may be provided in this State.

(c) This section does not apply to:

(1) A health professional licensed under the Health Occupations Article who is treating patients within the scope of the professional’s practice and who does not advertise the practice as an alcohol abuse or drug abuse program;

(2) Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, transitional housing programs, or other similar organizations, if the organization holds meetings or provides support services to help individuals who show the effects of drug abuse or alcohol abuse; or

(3) An employees’ assistance program of a business entity.

(d) Unless requested, the certification requirements of this section do not apply to a hospital as defined in § 19-301 of this article accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals with a separately accredited alcohol and drug abuse program.

(e) An intermediate care facility, alcoholic (type C or D), shall be certified as an intermediate care alcohol abuse and drug abuse treatment facility.

§ 8-403 - 1. Alcohol abuse and drug abuse treatment programs -- Pregnant or postpartum women

(a) Procedure established; protocols for referrals; referral agreements. --

(1) In consultation with the Office of Maternal Health and Family Planning, the Administration shall develop a referral procedure to require alcohol abuse and drug abuse treatment programs or facilities that are owned or operated by the State or any of its political subdivisions, or that receive partial or full funding from the State, to operate an alcohol abuse and drug abuse treatment program to accept pregnant or postpartum women for treatment on a priority basis.

(2) As part of the referral procedure developed under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Administration shall:

(i) Require alcohol abuse and drug abuse treatment programs and facilities to have protocols for referring pregnant or postpartum women for prenatal care and medical assistance services; and

(ii) Establish referral agreements with local health departments and local departments of social services as a method of identifying pregnant and postpartum women in need of and requesting alcohol abuse and drug abuse treatment services.

(b) Treatment available for one year following end of pregnancy. -- A postpartum woman shall be allowed to continue to receive or to begin receiving alcohol abuse and drug abuse treatment services for up to 1 year following the end of the pregnancy.

(c) Requirements for funding applications. -- The Administration shall require alcohol abuse and drug abuse treatment programs and facilities to submit along with their funding applications evidence of and procedures for admitting on a priority basis into their alcohol abuse and drug abuse treatment program or facility referred pregnant and postpartum women.