# Health - General (GHG)

## Title 6. Health Care Facility Visitation and Medical Emergencies

### Subtitle 1. In General

#### Section 6-101

(a) In this title, "domestic partnership" means a relationship between two individuals who:

  (1) Are at least 18 years old;

  (2) Are not related to each other by blood or marriage within four degrees of consanguinity under civil law rule;

  (3) Are not married or in a civil union or domestic partnership with another individual; and

  (4) Agree to be in a relationship of mutual interdependence in which each individual contributes to the maintenance and support of the other individual and the relationship, even if both individuals are not required to contribute equally to the relationship.

(b) An individual who asserts a domestic partnership under subsection (a) of this section may be required to provide:

  (1) An affidavit signed under penalty of perjury by two individuals stating that they have established a domestic partnership; and

  (2) Proof of any two of the following documents:

    (i) Joint liability of the individuals for a mortgage, lease, or loan;

    (ii) The designation of one of the individuals as the primary beneficiary under a life insurance policy on the life of the other individual or under a retirement plan of the other individual;

    (iii) The designation of one of the individuals as the primary beneficiary of the will of the other individual;

    (iv) A durable power of attorney for health care or financial management granted by one of the individuals to the other individual;

    (v) Joint ownership or lease by the individuals of a motor vehicle;

    (vi) A joint checking account, joint investments, or a joint credit account;

    (vii) A joint renter's or homeowner's insurance policy;

    (viii) Coverage on a health insurance policy;

    (ix) Joint responsibility for child care, such as guardianship or school documents; or

    (x) A relationship or cohabitation contract.

### Subtitle 2. Visitation and Medical Emergencies

#### Section 6-201

(a) A hospital, related institution, or residential treatment center, as defined in Sec. 19-301 of this article, shall allow a patient's or resident's domestic partner, the children of the patient's or resident's domestic partner, and the domestic partner of the patient's or resident's parent or child to visit, unless:

  (1) No visitors are allowed;

  (2) The facility reasonably determines that the presence of a particular visitor would endanger the health or safety of a patient, resident, or member of the facility staff; or

  (3) The patient or resident or the patient's or resident's personal representative tells the facility staff that the patient or resident does not want a particular person to visit.

(b) This section does not prohibit a hospital, related institution, or residential treatment center from establishing reasonable restrictions on visitation, including restrictions on the hours of visitation and number of visitors.

#### Section 6-202

In the case of a medical emergency, two adults shall be treated as domestic partners if one of the adults, in good faith, tells the emergency medical provider or hospital personnel that the adults are in a mutually interdependent relationship, for the following purposes only:

(1) Allowing one adult to accompany the ill or injured adult being transported to a hospital in an emergency vehicle; and

(2) Visitation with the ill or injured adult admitted to a hospital on an emergency basis on the same basis as a member of the ill or injured adult's immediate family.

#### Section 6-203

Notwithstanding any provisions of this title or any other provision of law, if a domestic partner has selected a health care agent in accordance with Title 5, Subtitle 6 of this article, that health care agent retains the authority to make any decisions for the domestic partner that are provided for in the selection of the health care agent until the health care agency has been revoked in accordance with the provisions of Title 5, Subtitle 6 of this article.

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