1. A. A physical therapist or physical therapist assistant may not engage in sexual misconduct.

2. B. Sexual misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

   1. (1) Sexual behavior with a client or patient in the context of a professional evaluation, treatment, procedure, or service to the client or patient, regardless of the setting in which the professional service is rendered;
   2. (2) Sexual behavior with a client or patient under the pretext of diagnostic or therapeutic intent or benefit;
   3. (3) Solicitation of a sexual relationship, whether consensual or nonconsensual, with a patient;
   4. (4) Sexual advances requesting sexual favors;
   5. (5) Therapeutically inappropriate or intentional touching of a sexual nature;
   6. (6) A verbal comment of a sexual nature;
   7. (7) Physical contact of a sexual nature with a patient;
   8. (8) Discussion of unnecessary sexual matters while treating a patient;
   9. (9) The taking of photographs of patients for a sexual purpose;
   10. (10) Sexual harassment of staff or students;
   11. (11) An unnecessary sensual act or comment; or
   12. (12) Sexual contact with an incompetent or unconscious patient.

Authority: Health-General Article, §2-1004; Health Occupations Article, §§1-212, 13-206, and 13-316; Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: April 6, 1979 (6:7 Md. R. 577)

Regulations .01—.03 repealed and new regulations .01 and .02 adopted effective August 2, 1982 (9:15 Md. R. 1514)

Regulation .01A amended effective April 4, 2022 (49:7 Md. R. 467)

Regulation .01C amended effective April 24, 2006 (33:8 Md. R. 734)

Regulation .01G adopted effective September 18, 2000 (27:18 Md. R. 1665)

Regulation .01H—L adopted effective March 18, 2002 (29:5 Md. R. 504)

Regulation .02 amended effective November 7, 1994 (21:22 Md. R. 1877)

Regulation .02 amended and recodified to Regulation .03 and new Regulation .02 adopted effective September 6, 1999 (26:18 Md. R. 1376)