Sec. 10.39.07.01. Definitions

A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

(1) Abandonment.

(a) "Abandonment" means:

(i) Termination by a certificate holder of a client assignment that was accepted by the certificate holder, without reasonable notification to the immediate supervisor to allow for the continuation of the client's care;

(ii) Refusal by a certificate holder of an assignment, mandatory overtime, or both in the event of a natural disaster or a federal, State, county, or city declaration of an emergency; or

(iii) Failure of a certificate holder to report for assigned duty or leaving a client unattended at the end of the assigned shift if the certificate holder is the sole provider of care for a private duty or hospice assignment and does not provide prior notification to the nursing supervisor, the cognitively capable adult client, or the client's designated representative.

(b) "Abandonment" does not include the declining by a certificate holder of employer-stipulated mandatory overtime.

(2) "Accepting an assignment" means a certificate holder has arrived on duty and assumed responsibility for client care.

(3) "Board" means the Board of Nursing.

(4) "Certificate holder" means an individual who is certified under Health Occupations Article, §8-6A-05 or 8-6A-08, Annotated Code of Maryland, as either a certified nursing assistant in any category or a medication technician.

(5) "Client" means a patient, resident, or recipient of care.

(6) “Electronic devices” means, but is not limited to, any of the following:

(a) Telephones with recording and picture-taking ability;

(b) Digital cameras or any other device that can record pictures and data;

(c) Facsimile machines, photocopiers, and scanners for copying; and

(d) Recording devices.

(7) “Social media” means any form of electronic communication, including, but not limited to, communication by use of websites for social networking and blogging through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content such as videos.