§ 18–308
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Health-Gen. § 18-308 (2026)
Title 18. Disease Prevention
Subtitle 3. Specific Diseases
§ 18–308LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Immediately after the birth of a child, the attending physician or attending nurse midwife shall use in the eyes of the child a prophylactic, approved by the Department, against gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum.
(b)
If, within 2 weeks after the birth of a child, an eye of the child becomes inflamed or swollen:
(1)
The attending physician shall test to determine if gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum is the cause of the inflammation or swelling; or
(2)
If there is no attending physician, any other individual who has care of the child shall report the condition immediately to a physician or to the health officer for the county where the child is located, so that testing may be done.
(c)
Within 48 hours after a physician knows that a child under the physician’s care has gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum, the physician shall submit a report to the Department.
(d)
An individual other than a physician may not treat the inflammation or swelling.
(e)
A person who violates any provision of subsection (b)(2) or (d) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $100 or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or both.