2013 Maryland Code
PUBLIC SAFETY
§ 14-110 - Local emergency plans

§14-110.

(a) (1) Each county shall:

(i) prepare an Emergency Preparedness Plan for responding to an emergency that involves hazardous materials or controlled hazardous substances, as defined in the Environment Article; and

(ii) review the Plan annually and submit any changes to the Director so that the Director may maintain current and accurate information about the Plan.

(2) Each county shall submit its Emergency Preparedness Plan to the Director on or before October 1, 1998.

(b) (1) A local organization for emergency management shall submit to the Director a radiological emergency response plan if the political subdivision in which the local organization for emergency management is located:

(i) falls within the plume or ingestion zone of a commercial nuclear reactor; or

(ii) might reasonably be expected to host evacuees from another jurisdiction in a plume or ingestion zone.

(2) The radiological emergency response plan shall provide for the evacuation of the residents of the political subdivision as a result of an emergency caused by a dangerous release of radiation.

§ 14-110 - 1. Emergency plans for human service facilities.

(a) "Human service facility" defined. -- In this section, "human service facility" means a facility licensed by the State that is:

(1) a nursing home, as defined in § 19-1401 of the Health - General Article;

(2) an assisted living facility, as defined in § 19-1801 of the Health - General Article;

(3) a hospital, as defined in § 19-301 of the Health - General Article;

(4) a related institution as defined in § 19-301 of the Health - General Article;

(5) a State-operated institution for mental disease;

(6) a group home as defined in § 7-101 of the Health - General Article;

(7) an alternative living unit as defined in § 7-101 of the Health - General Article; and

(8) a State residential center as defined in § 7-101 of the Health - General Article.

(b) In general. -- A human service facility shall develop an emergency plan.

(c) Procedures to be included in plan. -- An emergency plan shall include procedures that will be followed before, during, and after an emergency to address:

(1) the evacuation, transportation, or shelter-in-place of individuals served by the human service facility;

(2) the notification to families, staff, and licensing authorities regarding the action that will be taken concerning the safety and well-being of the individuals served by the human service facility;

(3) staff coverage, organization, and assignment of responsibilities; and

(4) the continuity of operations, including:

(i) procuring essential goods, equipment, and services; and

(ii) relocation to alternate facilities.

(d) Reimbursement allowed; responsibility for financial obligation. --

(1) This subsection does not prohibit a human service facility from applying for and receiving reimbursement:

(i) under any applicable insurance policy; or

(ii) from any State or federal funds that may be available due to a declared State or federal emergency.

(2) A human service facility is solely responsible for any financial obligation arising from voluntary or mandatory activation of any aspect of the emergency plan developed by the human service facility under this section.

(e) Regulations. --

(1) On or before November 30, 2007, a State agency that is responsible for the licensing of a human service facility shall adopt regulations governing the development of emergency plans under this section.

(2) Regulations adopted under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be developed in consultation with representatives of:

(i) the Maryland Emergency Management Agency;

(ii) the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems;

(iii) local organizations for emergency management; and

(iv) human service facilities.

(f) Access to plans. -- For purposes of coordinating local emergency planning efforts, a human service facility shall provide access to the emergency plans developed under this section to local organizations for emergency management.

§ 14-110 - 2. Designation of public library as essential community service during emergency.

A public library shall be designated as providing an essential community service during an emergency as described under the Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance Program provisions relating to federal disaster assistance and temporary relocation facilities.

§ 14-110 - 3. Emergency plans for kidney dialysis centers

(a) "Kidney dialysis center" defined. -- In this section, "kidney dialysis center" has the meaning stated in § 19-3B-01 of the Health - General Article.

(b) In general. -- A kidney dialysis center shall have an emergency plan.

(c) Procedures to be included in plan. -- An emergency plan shall include policies and procedures that will be followed before, during, and after an emergency to address:

(1) the safe management of individuals who are receiving services at the kidney dialysis center when an emergency occurs;

(2) notification of patients, families, staff, and licensing authorities regarding actions that will be taken concerning the provision of dialysis services to the individuals served by the kidney dialysis center;

(3) staff coverage, organization, and assignment of responsibilities; and

(4) the continuity of operations, including procedures to secure access to essential goods, equipment, and dialysis services.

(d) Reimbursement allowed; responsibility for financial obligation. --

(1) This subsection does not prohibit a kidney dialysis center from applying for and receiving reimbursement:

(i) under any applicable insurance policy; or

(ii) from any State or federal funds that may be available due to a declared State or federal emergency.

(2) A kidney dialysis center is solely responsible for any financial obligation arising from voluntary or mandatory activation of any aspect of the emergency plan developed by the kidney dialysis center under this section.

(e) Access to plans. -- For purposes of coordinating local emergency planning efforts, a kidney dialysis center shall provide access to the emergency plans developed under this section to local organizations for emergency management.