(a) (1) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (d) of this section, an employer of a licensed respiratory care practitioner shall submit to the Board a report if: (i) The employer: 1. Reduced, suspended, revoked, restricted, denied, conditioned, or did not renew the licensed respiratory care practitioner's clinical privileges, employment, or other ability to practice or treat patients; 2. Involuntarily terminated or restricted the licensed respiratory care practitioner's employment or staff membership; or 3. Asked the licensed respiratory care practitioner to voluntarily resign because of the licensed respiratory care practitioner's conduct or while the licensed respiratory care practitioner is being investigated; and (ii) The action described under item (i) of this paragraph was taken: 1. For reasons that might be grounds for disciplinary action under § 14-5A-17 of this subtitle; 2. Because the licensed respiratory care practitioner may have engaged in an act that may constitute unprofessional conduct; 3. Because the licensed respiratory care practitioner may be unable to practice respiratory care with reasonable skill and safety because of a physical or mental condition or professional incompetence; or 4. Because the licensed respiratory care practitioner may have harmed or placed one or more patients or the public at unreasonable risk of harm by engaging in an act that creates an immediate or continuing danger. (2) A report submitted under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include: (i) The action taken by the employer; (ii) A detailed explanation of the reasons for the action, including references to specific patient medical records, if any, that informed the employer's action; and (iii) The steps taken by the employer to investigate the conduct of the licensed respiratory care practitioner. (3) (i) The Board may request from the employer additional information regarding an action described in paragraph (1) of this subsection that was taken by the employer. (ii) If an employer receives a request made under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the employer shall promptly provide the additional information. (b) If an employer knows that the conduct of a licensed respiratory care practitioner requires that the employer submit a report under subsection (a)(1) of this section because the licensed respiratory care practitioner is impaired by alcohol or another substance, the employer is not required to report the respiratory care practitioner to the Board if: (1) The employer knows that the licensed respiratory care practitioner is: (i) In a substance use disorder treatment program that is accredited by The Joint Commission or is certified by the Department; or (ii) Under the care of a health care practitioner who is competent and capable of dealing with substance use disorders; (2) The employer is able to verify that the licensed respiratory care practitioner remains in the treatment program until successful discharge; and (3) The action or condition of the licensed respiratory care practitioner has not caused injury to any person while the respiratory care practitioner is practicing as a licensed respiratory care practitioner. (c) If the employer knows that the licensed respiratory care practitioner is noncompliant with the substance use disorder treatment program, the employer of the licensed respiratory care practitioner shall report the licensed respiratory care practitioner's noncompliance to the Board. (d) (1) The Board may extend the reporting under this section for good cause shown. (2) A person is not required under this section to make any report that would be in violation of any federal or State law, rule, or regulation concerning the confidentiality of substance use disorder patient records. (e) The Board may enforce this section by subpoena. (f) Any person shall have the immunity from liability described under § 5- 715(d) of the Courts Article for giving any of the information required by this section. (g) An employer required to make a report to the Board under this section shall submit the report within 10 days after the action requiring the report. (h) A report made under this section is privileged, not subject to inspection under the Public Information Act, and not subject to subpoena or discovery in any civil action other than a proceeding arising out of a hearing and decision of the Board or a disciplinary panel under this title. (i) (1) A disciplinary panel may impose a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for knowingly failing to report under this section. (2) A disciplinary panel may impose a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per incident for a report made by an employer in bad faith. (3) The Board shall remit any penalty collected under this subsection into the General Fund of the State.
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