1. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

2. B. Terms Defined.

   1. (1) “Administrative Services Organization (ASO)” means the contractor procured by the State to provide the Department with administrative support services to operate the Maryland Public Behavioral Health System.
   2. (2) “Behavioral Health Administration (BHA)” means the administration within the Department that establishes regulatory requirements that behavioral health programs are to maintain in order to become licensed by the Department.
   3. (3) “Core Service Agency” means the local mental health authority responsible for planning, managing, and monitoring public mental health services at the local level.
   4. (4) “Crisis” means the experience of stress, emotional or behavioral symptoms, difficulties with substance use, or a traumatic event that compromises an individual’s ability to function within their current family and living situation, school, workplace, or community, as defined by the individual experiencing the crisis.
   5. (5) “Crisis intervention” means the ability to perform or provide crisis assessment, crisis de-escalation, psychoeducation, brief behavioral support, and referral and linkage to appropriate services and supports.
   6. (6) “Department” means the Maryland Department of Health, as defined in COMAR 10.09.36.01, or its authorized agents acting on behalf of the Department.

   7. (7) “Licensed mental health professional” means a:

      1. (a) Psychiatrist;
      2. (b) Licensed psychologist;
      3. (c) Psychiatric nurse practitioner (CRNP-PMH);
      4. (d) Clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric and mental health nursing (APRN-PMH);
      5. (e) Licensed certified social worker-clinical (LCSW-C);
      6. (f) Licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor (LCADC);
      7. (g) Licensed clinical marriage and family therapist (LCMFT);
      8. (h) Licensed clinical professional art therapist (LCPAT);
      9. (i) Licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC); or

      10. (j) Properly supervised:

          1. (i) Licensed master social worker (LMSW);
          2. (ii) Licensed graduate alcohol and drug counselor (LGADC);
          3. (iii) Licensed graduate marriage and family therapist (LGMFT);
          4. (iv) Licensed graduate professional art therapist (LGPAT);
          5. (v) Licensed graduate professional counselor (LGPC);
          6. (vi) Licensed certified social worker (LCSW); or
          7. (vii) Psychology associate.
   8. (8) “Medical Assistance” has the meaning stated in COMAR 10.09.24.02.
   9. (9) “Medically necessary” has the meaning stated in COMAR 10.09.36.01.
   10. (10) “Participant” means an individual who is certified as eligible for, and is receiving, Medical Assistance benefits.
   11. (11) “Program” has the meaning stated in COMAR 10.09.36.01.
   12. (12) “Provider” means an organization or an individual practitioner furnishing the services covered under this chapter which, through appropriate agreement with the Department, has been identified as a Program provider by the issuance of a provider account number.

Authority: Health-General Article, §§2-104(b), 2-105(b), 15-103, and 15-105, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: May 27, 2024 (51:10 Md. R. 525)

Regulation .07C amended effective July 7, 2025 (52:13 Md. R. 655)

Regulation .07D adopted effective July 7, 2025 (52:13 Md. R. 655)