# Health - General (GHG)

## Title 19. Health Care Facilities

### Subtitle 3. Hospitals and Related Institutions

#### Section 19-307

(a)

  (1) A hospital shall be classified:

    (i) As a general hospital if the hospital at least has the facilities and provides the services that are necessary for the general medical and surgical care of patients;

    (ii) As a special hospital if the hospital:

      (1) Defines a program of specialized services, such as obstetrics, mental health, tuberculosis, orthopedy, chronic disease, or communicable disease;

      (2) Admits only patients with medical or surgical needs within the program; and

      (3) Has the facilities for and provides those specialized services;

    (iii) As a special rehabilitation hospital if the hospital meets the requirements of this subtitle and Subtitle 12 of this title; or

    (iv) As a limited service hospital if the health care facility:

      (1) Is licensed as a hospital on or after January 1, 1999;

      (2) Changes the type or scope of services offered by eliminating the capability to admit or retain individuals for overnight hospitalization;

      (3) Retains an emergency or urgent care center; and

      (4) Complies with the regulations adopted by the Secretary under Sec. 19-307.1 of this subtitle.

  (2) The Secretary may set, by rule or regulation, other reasonable classifications for hospitals.

(b) A related institution shall be classified:

  (1) As a care home if the related institution provides care to individuals who, because of advanced age or physical or mental disability, require domiciliary care or personal care in a protective environment; or

  (2) As a nursing home if the related institution:

    (i) Provides nursing care for chronically ill or convalescent patients; or

    (ii) Offers to provide 24-hour a day nursing care of patients in a home-type facility such as:

      (1) A convalescent home;

      (2) A nursing unit of a home for the aged;

      (3) A psychiatric nursing home;

      (4) A nursing facility for individuals with disabilities;

      (5) A home for alcoholics; or

      (6) A halfway house.

---

Md. Code Ann., Health-Gen. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)