Maryland
Maryland Statutes
ยง 20-214. Health - General
(a) (1) A person may not be required to perform or participate in, or refer
to any source for, any medical procedure that results in artificial
insemination, sterilization, or termination of pregnancy.
(2) The refusal of a person to perform or participate in, or refer to a source
for, these medical procedures may not be a basis for:
(i) Civil liability to another person; or
(ii) Disciplinary or other recriminatory action against the person.
(b)(1) A licensed hospital, hospital director, or hospital governing board
may not be required:
(i) To permit, within the hospital, the performance of any medical
procedure that results in artificial insemination, sterilization, or
termination of pregnancy; or
(ii) To refer to any source for these medical procedures.
(2) The refusal to permit or to refer to a source for these procedures may
not be grounds for:
(i) Civil liability to another person; or
(ii) Disciplinary or other recriminatory action against the person by this
State or any person.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a health care
provider, a licensed hospital, a hospital director, or a hospital governing
board is not immune from civil damages, if available at law, or from
disciplinary or other recriminatory action, if the failure to refer a patient to
a source for any medical procedure that results in sterilization or termination
of pregnancy would reasonably be determined as:
(1) The cause of death or serious physical injury or
serious long-lasting injury to the patient; and
(2) Otherwise contrary to the standards of medical care.