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

2. B. Terms Defined.

   1. (1) “Board” means the State Board of Social Work Examiners.
   2. (2) “Client” means the individual, couple, family, group, or organization to whom the licensee is rendering professional service.
   3. (3) “Dual relationship” means a relationship in which a licensee is involved with a client professionally and in any other capacity.
   4. (4) “Impairment” means a licensee whose diminished capacity affects the licensee’s practice of social work.

   5. (5) “Inappropriate sexual language” means:

      1. (a) An eroticized or sexually provocative comment; or
      2. (b) An inappropriate discussion of a sexual matter unrelated to client treatment.

   6. (6) “Sexual behavior” means:

      1. (a) A sexual act as specified in Criminal Law Article, §3-301(e) and (g), Annotated Code of Maryland; and
      2. (b) Sexual contact as specified in Criminal Law Article, §3-301(f), Annotated Code of Maryland.
   7. (7) “Sexual exploitation” means a situation in which the licensee takes advantage of the unequal relationship between the licensee and client, a student, or a supervisee to obtain sexual favors.

   8. (8) “Sexual harassment” means:

      1. (a) A deliberate or repeated comment of a sexual nature unrelated to client treatment; or
      2. (b) An advance, gesture, solicitation, request, intimidation, or physical contact of a sexual nature.

   9. (9) “Sexual misconduct” means:

      1. (a) Inappropriate sexual language;
      2. (b) Sexual exploitation;
      3. (c) Sexual harassment;
      4. (d) Sexual behavior; or
      5. (e) Therapeutic deception.
   10. (10) “Supervisee” means the individual to whom the licensee provides professional, educational, or administrative supervision or direction.
   11. (11) “Therapeutic deception” means a representation by a licensee that sexual contact or sexual activity by or with the client is consistent with or part of the client's treatment.
   12. (12) “Therapeutic relationship” means the relationship between a licensee and a client, in the practice of social work.

Authority: Health Occupations Article, §§1-212 and 19-101—19-502, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: May 23, 1983 (10:10 Md. R. 873)

Regulation .02E amended effective April 2, 1990 (17:6 Md. R. 741)

Regulation .02G amended as an emergency provision effective September 15, 1993 (20:20 Md. R. 1565); amended permanently effective December 1, 1993 (20:22 Md. R. 1707)

Regulations .01—.02 repealed and new Regulations .01—.06 adopted effective October 4, 1999 (26:20 Md. R. 1546)

Regulation .03 amended effective August 5, 2002 (29:15 Md. R. 1142)

Regulation .06 amended effective August 5, 2002 (29:15 Md. R. 1142)

Chapter revised effective June 13, 2011 (38:12 Md. R. 705)

Regulation .01B amended effective May 20, 2019 (46:10 Md. R. 490)

Regulation .02B amended effective May 20, 2019 (46:10 Md. R. 490)

Regulation .03 amended effective May 20, 2019 (46:10 Md. R. 490)

Regulation .04A amended effective May 20, 2019 (46:10 Md. R. 490)

Regulation .05 amended effective May 20, 2019 (46:10 Md. R. 490)

Regulation .06 amended effective May 20, 2019 (46:10 Md. R. 490)

Regulation .07B amended effective May 20, 2019 (46:10 Md. R. 490)