§ 1-221. Identification badge for health care practitioners.

   (a) "Health care practitioner" defined. -- In this section, "health care practitioner" means a person who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized under this article to provide health care services in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession.

(b) Applicability. -- This section applies only to a health care practitioner who practices in:

   (1) A freestanding ambulatory care facility;

   (2) A physician's office; or

   (3) An urgent care facility.

(c) In general. -- Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, when providing health care to a patient, a health care practitioner shall wear a badge or other form of identification displaying in readily visible type:

   (1) The health care practitioner's name; and

   (2) The type of license of the health care practitioner.

(d) Exceptions. -- A badge or other form of identification is not required to be worn if:

   (1) (i) The patient is being seen in the office of a health care practitioner who is a solo practitioner; and

      (ii) The name and license of the health care practitioner can be readily determined by the patient from a posted license or sign in the office; or

   (2) The patient is being seen in:

      (i) An operating room or other setting where surgical or other invasive procedures are performed; or

      (ii) Any other setting where maintaining a sterile environment is medically necessary.

(e) Health occupations boards -- Regulations; reporting. --

   (1) Each health occupations board may adopt regulations to implement this section.

   (2) The regulations, when necessary for the patient or health care practitioner's safety or for therapeutic concerns may:

      (i) Provide exemptions from wearing a badge or other form of identification; or

      (ii) Allow use of the health care practitioner's first name only.

   (3) A violation may be reported to the health occupations board that licensed or certified the health care practitioner.

   (4) In response to a reported violation, a health occupations board may send an advisory letter or a letter of education to the health care practitioner.

(f) Confidentiality of advisory letter or letter of education. -- An advisory letter or letter of education sent by a health occupations board under this section is confidential and may not be publicly reported as a disciplinary action.

HISTORY: 2013, ch. 491.