Maryland Health - General Section 19-345

      (a)      A resident of a facility may not be transferred or discharged from the facility involuntarily except for the following reasons:

            (1)      The transfer or discharge is necessary for the resident's welfare and the resident's needs cannot be met in the facility;

            (2)      The transfer or discharge is appropriate because the resident's health has improved sufficiently so that the resident no longer needs the services provided by the facility;

            (3)      The health or safety of an individual in a facility is endangered;

            (4)      The resident has failed, after reasonable and appropriate notice to pay for, or under Medicare or Medicaid or otherwise to have paid for, a stay at the facility; or

            (5)      The facility ceases to operate.

      (b)      (1)      A Medicaid certified facility may not:

                  (i)      Include in the admission contract of a resident any requirement that, to stay at the facility, the resident will be required to pay for any period of time or amount of money as a private pay resident for any period when the resident is eligible for Medicaid benefits; or

                  (ii)      Transfer or discharge a resident involuntarily because the resident is a Medicaid benefits recipient.

            (2)      (i)      Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, a Medicaid certified facility is presumed to be transferring or discharging a resident in violation of this subsection, if the resident is or becomes eligible for Medicaid benefits.

                  (ii)      A Medicaid certified facility is not presumed to be transferring or discharging a resident in violation of this subsection for transferring or discharging a resident for nonpayment for services while the resident was ineligible for assistance under the medical assistance program.