The Secretary shall: Accept from physicians reports on occupational diseases; and Study occupational diseases and means to prevent and control the diseases. After notice and a public hearing before the Secretary, the Secretary may adopt rules and regulations necessary to prevent and control occupational diseases. The Secretary shall enforce the rules and regulations adopted under this section. The Secretary shall: Investigate each industrial condition that is suspected of causing an occupational disease; and Recommend means to control the condition. In Baltimore City, the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health also has the duties imposed and the powers conferred on the Secretary by this section. However, this section does not limit the authority of the Secretary in Baltimore City or any charter power of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City. A person who, after written notice of a rule or regulation adopted under this section, continues to violate the rule or regulation is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $100 for each day that the violation continues.

A physician who believes that a patient under the physician’s care has an occupational disease shall submit a report to the Secretary and the Secretary of Health. The report shall: State the name, address, occupation, and place of employment of the patient; Identify the suspected disease; and Contain any other information that the Secretary requires. The Secretary shall give the information received under this section to the Commissioner of Labor and Industry.