§ 4-401. Concealment of records and reports

   (a) "Provider" defined. -- In this section, "provider" means:

   (1) An acupuncturist;

   (2) A chiropractor;

   (3) A dentist;

   (4) A nurse;

   (5) An optometrist;

   (6) A physician;

   (7) A podiatrist; or

   (8) A person who is employed by or under contract with a hospital, nursing institution, or other health care provider.

(b) Concealment prohibited. -- A provider may not knowingly or willfully destroy, damage, alter, obliterate, or otherwise obscure a medical record, hospital report, laboratory report, X-ray report, or other information about a patient in an effort to conceal the information from use as evidence in an administrative, civil, or criminal proceeding.

(c) Penalty. -- A provider who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $ 5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 27, § 275A; 1982, ch. 21, § 2; 1990, ch. 480, § 1; 1997, ch. 235.