Sec. 10.65.03.06. Records, Confidentiality, and Informed Consent

A license holder or registration holder shall:

A. Respect and maintain the privacy and confidentiality of the client;

B. Disclose the client's record or information about the client only with the client's consent or as required by law;

C. Adequately safeguard confidential client information, including storage and disposal of records;

D. Provide sufficient information to a client to allow the client to make an informed decision regarding treatment, including:

(1) The purpose or nature of an evaluation or treatment regimen;

(2) Alternatives to treatment;

(3) Side effects and benefits of a proposed treatment regimen and the alternatives to that treatment;

(4) The estimated cost of treatment and alternatives to treatment;

(5) The right of the client to withdraw from treatment at any time, including the risks associated with withdrawing from treatment; and

(6) The client's right to decline to participate in treatment if an aspect of the treatment will be recorded, documented, photographed, observed, or otherwise used in an educational program;

E. Obtain the full informed consent of a client participating in a human research program, without a direct or implied penalty for the client's refusal to participate in the program, and with due regard for the client's autonomy and dignity;

F. Comply with applicable federal and State laws for human research programs; and

G. Comply with applicable provisions of Health-General Article, Title 4, Subtitle 3, Annotated Code of Maryland.