<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" citation="COMAR 10.36.05.05" title_num="10" subtitle_num="36" chapter_num="05" heading="Representation of Services and Fees.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Public Statements and Advertising.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A psychologist or psychology associate shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Represent accurately and objectively the psychologist’s or psychology associate’s professional qualifications, education, experience, and areas of competence;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Correct others who misrepresent the psychologist’s or psychology associate’s professional qualifications or affiliations; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Identify a paid advertisement as a paid advertisement.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A psychologist or psychology associate may not:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Misrepresent, directly or by implication, the affiliations or the purposes or characteristics of institutions and organizations with which the psychologist or psychology associate is affiliated;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Claim organizational membership in a manner that suggests specialized competence or qualifications that the psychologist or psychology associate does not have;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Make public statements that contain:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>False, fraudulent, misleading, or deceptive statements;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Partial disclosures of relevant facts that misrepresent, mislead, or deceive; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Statements that create false or unjustified expectations of favorable results; or</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Solicit, either in person or through others, business or testimonial endorsements from clients who are vulnerable to undue influence.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Informed Consent. When conducting research or providing assessment, psychotherapy, counseling, or consulting with an individual or organization in person or by electronic transmission or other forms of communication, a psychologist or psychology associate shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>In general:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Obtain informed consent using appropriate language understandable to the client;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Vary appropriate informed consent forms and procedures to ensure that the client:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Has the capacity to consent;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Has been provided with information concerning participation in the activity that reasonably might affect the willingness to participate, including limits of confidentiality and monetary costs or reimbursements;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Is aware of the voluntary nature of participation and has freely and without undue influence expressed consent; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Is given the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers regarding the activity;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>In research, make clear to the client:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The nature of the participation as well as the costs and other obligations to be accepted by research participants;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The purpose and nature of any evaluations, treatment, or educational or training procedure;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>All aspects of research including any risks and consequences of the research that will reasonably be expected to influence willingness to participate;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>The right to withdraw from treatment or research at any time; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>The notification that permission shall be given by the client, student, or research participant before the use of observation or electronic taping, recording, or filming procedures; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>In therapeutic relationships, explain to the client:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The clarification of reasonable expectations;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The nature and purpose of testing, reports, and consultations;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The limits of confidentiality;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Specific information concerning fees, billing, and electronic services available in the payment of fees;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Psychotherapeutic schedules; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>The process and conditions of termination of therapy.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Financial Arrangements and Fees. A psychologist or psychology associate shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Make advance financial arrangements that are clearly understood by the client;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Inform the client about the possibility of initiating a collection procedure before using that procedure;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Comply with the provisions regarding patient referrals contained in Health Occupations Article, §§1-301 — 1-306, Annotated Code of Maryland;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Make full disclosure in advance to the client of any remuneration given or received for making or accepting referrals; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Refrain from signing statements for insurance purposes as though the psychologist or psychology associate provided a service that was actually provided by someone else.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>