§ 3-532

Maryland § 3-532

• Jurisdiction: Maryland
• Article gps: Public Safety
• Title: 3

Text

(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2) “Interested party” means a health care practitioner, as defined in § 19–144(3) of the Health – General Article, or another interested person who has sufficient information to inform a law enforcement agency of another individual’s health–related condition or circumstance that represents a safety concern of the individual.

(3) “Qualified request” means an oral or written request that includes credible information regarding a specific safety concern.

(4) “Wellness check” means an in–person visit by a law enforcement officer concerning the well–being of an individual.

(b) (1) Subject to subsection (c) of this section, if a law enforcement agency receives a qualified request from an interested party for a wellness check of an individual located in the law enforcement agency’s jurisdiction, the law enforcement agency shall conduct a wellness check of the individual without unreasonable delay.

(2) Subject to subsection (c) of this section, if a law enforcement agency receives a qualified request from an interested party for a wellness check of an individual who is not located in the law enforcement agency’s jurisdiction, the law enforcement agency shall submit a request to the relevant law enforcement agency in the State or another state to conduct a wellness check of the individual without unreasonable delay.

(c) If the interested party states in the qualified request that there is a concern for a life–threatening condition, then a fire, rescue, or emergency medical services entity shall conduct the wellness check simultaneously with the law enforcement agency.

(d) A law enforcement agency and, if applicable, a fire, rescue, or emergency medical services entity, that receives a qualified request under this section shall meet the requirements of this section regardless of where the interested party making the qualified request is located.