<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" citation="COMAR 10.12.02.02" title_num="10" subtitle_num="12" chapter_num="02" heading="Definitions.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Terms Defined.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>“Child” means any individual younger than 18 years old.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>“Department” means the Maryland Department of Health.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>“Emergency hospital treatment” means the provision of those services which are medically necessary to treat the victim's physical health or alleviate the victim's severe pain or discomfort.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>“Examination” means a medical examination, including the necessary tests, for the purpose of establishing and gathering information and evidence as to the alleged rape or sexual offense only.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4-1)">
      <text>“Forensic nurse examiner” means a registered nurse examiner certified by the Maryland Board of Nursing.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Initial Assessment.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>“Initial assessment” means an appraisal for the purpose of establishing and gathering information and evidence as to alleged child sexual abuse.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>“Initial assessment” includes a:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Psychological evaluation;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Parental interview; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Medical evaluation.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>“Interdisciplinary team expert in the field of child abuse” means a licensed physician, psychologist, social worker, nurse practitioner, nurse, or mental health professional working in a setting that specializes in child abuse.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>“Mental health professional” means a board-eligible or board-certified psychiatrist, a licensed psychologist, or a person with a minimum of a master's degree and clinical training in an accepted mental health field, including the fields of counseling, nursing, occupational therapy, psychology, and social work.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>“Physician” means a person licensed to practice medicine in Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>“Provider” means a physician, hospital, or laboratory.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>“Qualified hospital health care personnel” means a licensed employee of a hospital licensed by the State.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(11)">
      <text>“Rape” means a criminal act of vaginal intercourse as defined under Criminal Law Article, §§3-303 and 304, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(12)">
      <text>Sexual Abuse.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>“Sexual abuse” means an act that involves sexual molestation or exploitation of a child whether or not the sexual molestation or exploitation of the child is by a parent or other person who has permanent or temporary care, or custody or responsibility for supervision of a child, or by a household or family member.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>“Sexual abuse” includes, but is not limited to:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Incest, rape, or sexual offense in any degree;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Sodomy; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Unnatural or perverted sexual practices.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(13)">
      <text>“Sexual offense” means a criminal sexual act or sexual contact as defined under Criminal Law Article, §§3-305—3-308, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(14)">
      <text>“Victim” means a person who is alleged to be the subject of rape, sexual offense, or child sexual abuse.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>