Title 20. Miscellaneous Health Provisions — Subtitle 4. Identification of Newborn Infants
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Health-Gen. § 20-401 (2026)
Title 20. Miscellaneous Health Provisions
Subtitle 4. Identification of Newborn Infants
§ 20–401LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)
“Born” means the complete expulsion or extraction of a product of human conception from the mother, regardless of the period of gestation, if, after the expulsion or extraction, it breathes or shows any other evidence of life, such as heartbeat, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscle, whether or not the umbilical cord is cut or the placenta is attached.
(c)
“Cord blood sampling” means:
(1)
Taking a sample of a newborn infant’s blood from the infant’s umbilical cord; or
(2)
The act of producing such a sample.
(d)
“Footprinting” means:
(1)
An ink or other type of impression of the skin patterns located on the sole of a foot; or
(2)
The act of producing such an impression.
(e)
“Institution” means:
(1)
A hospital or related institution as defined in § 19-301 of this article;
(2)
A freestanding birthing center as defined in § 19-3B-01(f) of this article; or
(3)
Any other facility that delivers an infant from its mother.
Md. Code Ann., Health-Gen. § 20-402 (2026)
Title 20. Miscellaneous Health Provisions
Subtitle 4. Identification of Newborn Infants
§ 20–402LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, after an infant is born in an institution and before the infant leaves the delivery room of the institution, the institution shall perform at least one of the following infant identification procedures on all newborn infants:
(1)
Cord blood sampling;
(2)
Footprinting; or
(3)
Any other procedure the Secretary deems equivalent and appropriate.
(b)
(1)
An institution shall maintain the record of a newborn infant’s identification for a period of time the Secretary establishes by regulation.
(2)
In establishing the regulations required under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Secretary shall:
(i)
Consider the varying nature of infant identification procedures that may be used by an institution under this subtitle; and
(ii)
Adopt appropriate time periods for each type of infant identification procedure.
(c)
All personnel of an institution responsible for performing newborn infant identification procedures under this subtitle shall be adequately trained in all infant identification procedures used by the institution.
(d)
An institution acting in good faith in accordance with the provisions of this subtitle may not be liable in any cause of action related to the failure to produce an identifiable newborn infant identification.