Section 10-620 - Definitions. - Maryland Statutes

§ 10-620. Definitions.
 

(a)  In general.- In Part IV of this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 

(b)  Court.- "Court" means a district or circuit court of this State. 

(c)  Emergency evaluee.- "Emergency evaluee" means an individual for whom an emergency evaluation is sought or made under Part IV of this subtitle. 

(d)  Emergency facility.-  

(1) "Emergency facility" means a facility that the Department designates, in writing, as an emergency facility. 

(2) "Emergency facility" includes a licensed general hospital that has an emergency room, unless the Department, after consultation with the health officer, exempts the hospital. 

(e)  Mental disorder.-  

(1) "Mental disorder" means the behavioral or other symptoms that indicate: 

(i) To a lay petitioner who is submitting an emergency petition, a clear disturbance in the mental functioning of another individual; and 

(ii) To the following health professionals doing an examination, at least one mental disorder that is described in the version of the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - Mental Disorders" that is current at the time of the examination: 

1. Physician; 

2. Psychologist; 

3. Clinical social worker; 

4. Licensed clinical professional counselor; 

5. Clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric and mental health nursing (APRN/PMH); 

6. Psychiatric nurse practitioner (CRNP-PMH); or 

7. Licensed clinical marriage and family therapist. 

(2) "Mental disorder" does not include intellectual disability. 

(f)  Peace officer.- "Peace officer" means a sheriff, a deputy sheriff, a State police officer, a county police officer, a municipal or other local police officer, or a Secret Service agent who is a sworn special agent of the United States Secret Service or Department of Homeland Security authorized to exercise powers delegated under 18 U.S.C. § 3056. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 59, § 22; 1982, ch. 21, § 2; 1991, ch. 27; 1994, ch. 165, § 3; 2001, ch. 270; 2002, ch. 49; 2004, chs. 25, 315; 2008, ch. 43; 2009, ch. 119.]