2013 Maryland Code
HEALTH OCCUPATIONS
§ 1-608 - Timeliness of complaint resolution

§1-608.

(a) The Secretary shall monitor the timeliness of complaint resolution for each health occupations board.

(b) (1) On or before October 1, 2012, the Secretary shall establish goals for the timeliness of complaint resolution for all of the boards, a group of boards, or a specific board, including:

(i) After a complaint is filed with a board, a goal for the length of time a board has to complete an investigation and determine whether to bring charges;

(ii) After a board makes a decision to charge, a goal for the length of time a board has to issue charges;

(iii) After a board issues charges, a goal for the length of time a board has to schedule a hearing; and

(iv) After the date of an opinion from the Office of Administrative Hearings, or the final day of any hearing, a goal for the length of time a board has to issue a final decision.

(2) When determining the time frames for complaint resolution, the Secretary shall consider:

(i) The administrative and fiscal constraints of each health occupations board; and

(ii) The recommendations from the Task Force on Discipline of Health Care Professionals and Improved Patient Care.

(3) The goals established by the Secretary in accordance with this section are nonbinding and failure to meet the goals may not be used as grounds for any hearing or appeal of any board action.

(c) On or before October 1, 2012, the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene shall, in accordance with § 2-1246 of the State Government Article, report to the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee and the House Health and Government Operations Committee on the goals for the timeliness of complaint resolution established under this section.