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

2. B. Terms Defined.

   1. (1) Abandonment.

      1. (a) “Abandonment” means failure to provide or make reasonable arrangements for the continuation of care for a client in need of immediate care or failure to provide reasonable notice to a facility or practice under circumstances that seriously impair the delivery of clinical care to clients.
      2. (b) “Abandonment” does not include the declining by a licensed certified midwife of employer-stipulated mandatory overtime.
   2. (2) “Board” means the Board of Nursing.
   3. (3) “Client” means a patient, resident, or recipient of care.

   4. (4) “Electronic devices” means, but is not limited to, any of the following:

      1. (a) Telephones with recording and picture-taking ability;
      2. (b) Digital cameras or any other device that can record pictures and data;
      3. (c) Facsimile machines, photocopiers, and scanners for copying; and
      4. (d) Recording devices.
   5. (5) “Licensed certified midwife (LCM)” means an individual who has been issued a license by the Board to practice certified midwifery in accordance with COMAR 10.69.01.

   6. (6) Social Media.

      1. (a) “Social media” means any form of electronic communication.
      2. (b) “Social media” includes but is not limited to communication by use of websites or other electronic applications for social networking, commentary, and blogging through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content such as videos.

Authority: Health Occupations Article, §§ 8-101, 8-205, 8-208, 8-508, 8-601, 8-6A-02, 8-6D-01 through 8-6D-15, 8-701, 8-708, and 8-710, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: February 22, 2026 (52:17 Md. R. 875)