§ 18–4A-03
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Health-Gen. § 18-4A-03 (2026)
Title 18. Disease Prevention
Subtitle 4A. Consent to Immunization of Minors
§ 18–4A-03LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Subject to the provisions of this section, the following individuals, not in order of priority, may consent to the immunization of a minor if a parent is not reasonably available and the authority to consent is not denied under subsection (b) or (c) of this section:
(1)
A grandparent;
(2)
An adult brother or sister;
(3)
An adult aunt or uncle;
(4)
A stepparent;
(5)
Any other adult who has care and control of the minor;
(6)
A court that has jurisdiction of a suit affecting the parent-child relationship of which the minor is the subject;
(7)
An adult who has care and control of the minor under an order of a court or by commitment by a court to the care of an agency of the State or county if the adult reasonably believes the minor needs immunization; or
(8)
For minors in its care and custody, the Department of Juvenile Services.
(b)
A person may not consent to the immunization of a minor under subsection (a) of this section if:
(1)
The person has actual knowledge that the parent has expressly refused to give consent to the immunization; or
(2)
The parent has told the person that the person may not consent to the immunization of the minor or, in the case of a written authorization, has withdrawn the authorization in writing.
(c)
When a parent has been contacted and requested to consent to the immunization of a minor, the Department of Juvenile Services may consent to the immunization of a minor in its care and custody if the parent:
(1)
Has not acted on the request; and
(2)
Has not expressly denied to the Department of Juvenile Services the authority to consent to the immunization of the minor.
(d)
For purposes of this section, a person is not reasonably available if:
(1)
The location of the person is unknown;
(2)
(i)
A reasonable effort made by a person listed in subsection (a) of this section to locate and communicate with the parent for the purpose of obtaining consent has failed; and
(ii)
Not more than 90 days have passed since the date that the effort was made; or
(3)
The parent has been contacted by a person listed in subsection (a) of this section and requested to consent to the immunization of the minor, and the parent:
(i)
Has not acted on the request; and
(ii)
Has not expressly denied authority to the person listed in subsection (a) of this section to consent to immunization of the minor.
(e)
A person authorized to consent to the immunization of a minor under this section shall confirm that the parent is not reasonably available in writing and the written confirmation shall be included in the minor’s medical record.