# Public Safety (GPS)

## Title 14. Emergency Management

### Subtitle 3A. Governor's Health Emergency Powers

#### Section 14-3A-01

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) "Catastrophic health emergency" means a situation in which extensive loss of life or serious disability is threatened imminently because of exposure to a deadly agent.

(c) "Deadly agent" means:

  (1) anthrax, ebola, plague, smallpox, tularemia, or other bacterial, fungal, rickettsial, or viral agent, biological toxin, or other biological agent capable of causing extensive loss of life or serious disability;

  (2) mustard gas, nerve gas, or other chemical agent capable of causing extensive loss of life or serious disability; or

  (3) radiation at levels capable of causing extensive loss of life or serious disability.

(d) "Exposure to a deadly agent" means a threat to human health caused by the release, distribution, or transmission of a deadly agent in:

  (1) this State; or

  (2) another jurisdiction because of movement into the State of the deadly agent or of individuals exposed to the deadly agent.

(e) "Health care provider" means:

  (1) a health care facility as defined in Sec. 19-114(d)(1) of the Health - General Article;

  (2) a health care practitioner as defined in Sec. 19-114(e) of the Health - General Article; and

  (3) an individual licensed or certified as an emergency medical services provider under Sec. 13-516 of the Education Article.

(f) "Secretary" means the Secretary of Health.

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Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)