This statute governs the requirements for certificates used in involuntary psychiatric admissions in Maryland. Certificates must be based on a personal examination by a qualified clinician, include a mental disorder diagnosis and opinions on the need for inpatient care and facility admission, and be completed within specified timeframes. Clinicians with financial interests in a proprietary facility or familial relationships to the individual or applicant are prohibited from signing certificates for admission to that facility.
View official source- 1 - Article - Health - General [Previous][Next] §10–616. (a) (1) A certificate for involuntary admission of an individual under this part shall: (i) Be based on the personal examination of the physician, psychologist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, licensed certified social worker–clinical, or licensed clinical professional counselor who signs the certificate; and (ii) Be in the form that the Secretary adopts, by rule or regulation. (2) The rules and regulations shall require the form to include: (i) A diagnosis of a mental disorder of the individual; (ii) An opinion that the individual needs inpatient care or treatment; and (iii) An opinion that admission to a facility or Veterans’ Administration hospital is needed for the protection of the individual or another. (b) A certificate may not be used for admission if the examination on which the certificate is made was done: (1) More than 1 week before the certificate is signed; or (2) More than 30 days before the facility or the Veterans’ Administration hospital receives the application for admission. (c) A certificate may not be used for an admission if the physician, psychologist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, licensed certified social worker–clinical, or licensed clinical professional counselor who signed the certificate: (1) Has a financial interest, through ownership or compensation, in a proprietary facility and admission to that proprietary facility is sought for the individual whose status is being certified; or (2) Is related, by blood or marriage, to the individual or to the applicant. - 2 - [Previous][Next]