Section 2-318 - Rehabilitation committees. - Maryland Statutes

§ 2-318. Rehabilitation committees.
 

(a)  "Rehabilitation committee" defined.- In this section, "rehabilitation committee" means a committee that: 

(1) Is defined in subsection (b) of this section; and 

(2) Performs any of the functions listed in subsection (d) of this section. 

(b)  In general.- For purposes of this section, a rehabilitation committee is a committee of the Board or a committee of a professional association approved by the Board that: 

(1) Is recognized by the Board; and 

(2) Includes but is not limited to audiologists, hearing aid dispensers, speech-language pathologists, and speech-language pathology assistants. 

(c)  Scope of authority.- A rehabilitation committee of the Board or recognized by the Board may function: 

(1) Solely for the Board; or 

(2) Jointly with a rehabilitation committee representing another Board or Boards. 

(d)  Duties.- For purposes of this section, a rehabilitation committee evaluates and provides assistance to any audiologist, hearing aid dispenser, speech-language pathologist, or speech-language pathology assistant, and any other individual regulated by the Board, in need of treatment and rehabilitation for alcoholism, drug abuse, chemical dependency, or other physical, emotional, or mental condition. 

(e)  Discoverability and admissibility of proceedings, records and files.-  

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the proceedings, records, and files of the rehabilitation committee are not discoverable and are not admissible in evidence in any civil action arising out of matters that are being or have been reviewed and evaluated by the rehabilitation committee. 

(2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection does not apply to any record or document that is considered by the rehabilitation committee and that otherwise would be subject to discovery or introduction into evidence in a civil action. 

(3) For purposes of this subsection, civil action does not include a proceeding before the Board or judicial review of a proceeding before the Board. 

(f)  Good faith exemption from civil liability.- A person who acts in good faith and within the scope of jurisdiction of the rehabilitation committee is not civilly liable for any action as a member of the rehabilitation committee or for giving information to, participating in, or contributing to the function of the rehabilitation committee. 
 

[1990, ch. 6, § 11; ch. 661; 1992, ch. 326, § 3; 2007, ch. 391.]