Chapter 08. Professional and Volunteer Firefighter Innovative Cancer Screening Technologies Program

“Applicant” means an entity that applies to receive a grant under the Professional and Volunteer Firefighter Innovative Cancer Screening Technologies Program.

Cancer Screening Test.

“Cost effectiveness” means a comparison between cost and expected health outcomes of a cancer test or intervention.

“Department” means the Maryland Department of Health.

“Grant” means funds distributed to a grantee under the Professional and Volunteer Firefighter Innovative Cancer Screening Technologies Program.

“Grantee” means a local fire department, volunteer fire department, or volunteer fire company approved to receive funds under the Professional and Volunteer Firefighter Innovative Cancer Screening Technologies Program.

“Health care provider” means a doctor of medicine or osteopathy, dentist, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant who is authorized to practice by the state in which the individual practices.

“Local fire department” means a fire department operating in a Maryland county or Baltimore City.

“Program” means the Professional and Volunteer Firefighter Innovative Cancer Screening Technologies Program.

“Qualifications” means the education, experience, skills, and licensing of an individual associated with a Program grant application.

“Volunteer fire company” means a volunteer fire company operating in a Maryland county or Baltimore City.

“Volunteer fire department” means a volunteer fire department operating in a Maryland county or Baltimore City.

Procure and administer innovative cancer screening tests that are not otherwise conducted during routine physical examinations or covered by insurance to professional firefighters employed by a local fire department and volunteer firefighters who serve in a volunteer fire company or department; and

Pay for activities directly associated with the grant that are approved by the Department.

Shall submit a completed application to the Department by the due date listed in the request for applications;

Shall include in the application all required information listed in the request for applications, including:

May voluntarily withdraw an application at any time.

Determine the amount of money available for grants under the Program in each fiscal year;

Develop a weighting formula to rate each application received by the Program;

Make available the weighting formula on the Program website and include the weighting formula in the request for applications;

Request additional information or changes to the application if necessary; and

Reject an application that does not meet the application requirements.

The scientific and clinical evidence supporting the claimed accuracy and reliability of test;

Whether the test employs innovative or novel technologies;

The ability of the test to simultaneously screen for two or more cancer types;

The cost effectiveness of the test; and

Whether the test is developed, manufactured, or commercialized by a business entity located in the State.

The Department may approve an advance payment based on financial need.

If a financial or progress report required by §B or C of this regulation is overdue, the Department may withhold payment of funds to a grantee until the financial or progress report is submitted.

A grantee shall:

The Department may audit the accounts referenced in §B(1) of this regulation at any time.

A grantee shall retain all records pertaining to a grant for 3 years from the date the final report is submitted under §B(1) of this regulation.

In the case of an audit or litigation, the Department may extend the time period under §B(1) or (3) of this regulation until the completion of the audit or litigation.

Interim reports describing the progress of the grant; and

A comprehensive final report that provides a summary of all activities conducted under the grant no later than the deadline specified by the Department, including the:

A grantee who publishes results from activities supported by a grant approved under this chapter shall include in the publication the following acknowledgement: “Supported in part with funds from the Professional and Volunteer Firefighter Innovative Cancer Screening Technologies Program of the Maryland Department of Health.”

A grantee shall provide the Department with one electronic copy of any published article associated with an activity conducted under a grant.

Shall ensure that a cancer screening test purchased under a Program grant is used for the sole purpose of the grant;

Shall keep an inventory of cancer screening tests purchased; and

May not transfer a cancer screening test to another entity without written permission from the Department.

The Department may terminate a grant:

The Department may not be held responsible for any expenses incurred by a grantee after cancellation of a grant.

The grantee shall return all unexpended funds to the Department within 30 days of termination of a grant.

A grantee shall be solely responsible for its actions related to the:

The Department may not be held liable for any claims, losses, liabilities, expenses, or damages arising from activities related to the: