# Health - General (GHG)

## Title 19. Health Care Facilities

### Subtitle 3. Hospitals and Related Institutions

#### Section 19-308.8

(a) A hospital may discharge a patient:

  (1) Entirely;

  (2) To another level of care, treatment, or services;

  (3) To different health professionals; or

  (4) To settings for continued services.

(b) A hospital's process for transfer or discharge shall be based on a patient's assessed needs.

(c) To facilitate discharge or transfer, the hospital shall:

  (1) Assess a patient's needs;

  (2) Plan for discharge or transfer;

  (3) Facilitate the discharge or transfer process;

  (4) Give the patient or person responsible for providing continuing care to the patient written discharge instructions in a form the patient can understand; and

  (5) Help to ensure that continuity of care, treatment, and services is maintained.

(d) If a hospital fails to comply with the requirements of this section, the Secretary may impose a civil money penalty not to exceed $10,000 for each failure to comply.

(e) A hospital may appeal a civil money penalty imposed under subsection (c) of this section in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article.

---

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