1. (a) In this article the following words have the meanings indicated.

   (a-1) “Active service member” has the meaning stated in § 9-901 of the State Government Article.

2. (b) “County” means a county of this State and, unless expressly provided otherwise, Baltimore City.
3. (c) “Department” means the Maryland Department of Health.
4. (d) “Domestic partner” means an individual who meets the requirements of § 6-101 of this article.
5. (e) “Health officer” means, unless expressly provided otherwise, the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health or the health officer of a county.
6. (f) “Includes” or “including” means includes or including by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.
7. (g) “Local health planning agency” means the health department of a jurisdiction or a body designated by the local health department to perform health planning functions.

8. (h) “Medical examiner” means:

   1. (1) The Chief Medical Examiner;
   2. (2) The Deputy Chief Medical Examiner;
   3. (3) Any assistant medical examiner; or
   4. (4) Any deputy medical examiner.
9. (i) “Person” means an individual, receiver, trustee, guardian, personal representative, fiduciary, or representative of any kind and any partnership, firm, association, corporation, or other entity.
10. (j) “Physician” means an individual who is authorized under the Maryland Medical Practice Act¹ to practice medicine in this State.

11. (k) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Health.

    (k-1) “Service member” has the meaning stated in § 9-901 of the State Government Article.

12. (l) “State” means:

    1. (1) A state, possession, or territory of the United States;
    2. (2) The District of Columbia; or
    3. (3) The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
13. (m) “Uniformed services” has the meaning stated in § 9-901 of the State Government Article.
14. (n) “Veteran” has the meaning stated in § 9-901 of the State Government Article.

Added by Acts 1982, c. 21, § 2, eff. July 1, 1982. Amended by Acts 1988 c. 714, § 2, eff. July 1, 1988; Acts 1990, c. 545, § 1, eff. July 1, 1990; Acts 1998, c. 134, § 1, eff. July 1, 1998; Acts 1998, c. 135, § 1, eff. July 1, 1998; Acts 1998, c. 410, § 1, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 1998, c. 411, § 1, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 1998, c. 731, § 1, eff. June 1, 1998; Acts 1999, c. 195, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1999; Acts 2000, c. 17, § 1, eff. July 1, 2000; Acts 2000, c. 18, § 1, eff. July 1, 2000; Acts 2000, c. 512, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2000; Acts 2000, c. 513, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2000; Acts 2001, c. 565, § 1, eff. July 1, 2001; Acts 2002, c. 371, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2002; Acts 2002, c. 443, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2002; Acts 2002, c. 444, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2002; Acts 2007, c. 147, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2007; Acts 2008, c. 590, § 1, eff. July 1, 2008; Acts 2009, c. 689, § 1, eff. July 1, 2009; Acts 2010, c. 143, § 1, eff. July 1, 2010; Acts 2010, c. 144, § 1, eff. July 1, 2010; Acts 2017, c. 214, § 1, eff. July 1, 2017; Acts 2025, c. 259, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2025; Acts 2025, c. 260, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.

Health Occupations, § 14-101 et seq.