1. (a)

   1. (1) A hospital shall be classified:

      1. (i) As a general hospital if the hospital at least has the facilities and provides the services that are necessary for the general medical and surgical care of patients;

      2. (ii) As a special hospital if the hospital:

         1. 1. Defines a program of specialized services, such as obstetrics, mental health, tuberculosis, orthopedy, chronic disease, or communicable disease;
         2. 2. Admits only patients with medical or surgical needs within the program; and
         3. 3. Has the facilities for and provides those specialized services;
      3. (iii) As a special rehabilitation hospital if the hospital meets the requirements of this subtitle and Subtitle 12 of this title; or

      4. (iv) As a limited service hospital if the health care facility:

         1. 1. Is licensed as a hospital on or after January 1, 1999;
         2. 2. Changes the type or scope of services offered by eliminating the capability to admit or retain individuals for overnight hospitalization;
         3. 3. Retains an emergency or urgent care center; and
         4. 4. Complies with the regulations adopted by the Secretary under § 19-307.1 of this subtitle.
   2. (2) The Secretary may set, by rule or regulation, other reasonable classifications for hospitals.

2. (b) A related institution shall be classified:

   1. (1) As a care home if the related institution provides care to individuals who, because of advanced age or physical or mental disability, require domiciliary care or personal care in a protective environment; or

   2. (2) As a nursing home if the related institution:

      1. (i) Provides nursing care for chronically ill or convalescent patients; or

      2. (ii) Offers to provide 24-hour a day nursing care of patients in a home-type facility such as:

         1. 1. A convalescent home;
         2. 2. A nursing unit of a home for the aged;
         3. 3. A psychiatric nursing home;
         4. 4. A nursing facility for individuals with disabilities;
         5. 5. A home for alcoholics; or
         6. 6. A halfway house.

Added by Acts 1982, c. 21, § 2, eff. July 1, 1982. Amended by Acts 1986, c. 733, § 1, eff. July 1, 1986; Acts 1990, c. 545, § 1, eff. July 1, 1990; Acts 1996, c. 147, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, c. 678, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, c. 255, § 1, eff. June 1, 2001; Acts 2002, c. 19, § 4, eff. April 9, 2002.

Formerly Art. 43, §§ 556, 562.