§19–351.

    (a)    Except as provided in subsections (b) and (d) of this section, this subtitle does not affect the right of a hospital or related institution to employ or appoint staff.

    (b)    (1)    A hospital or related institution that provides services that licensed podiatrists are authorized to perform under Title 16 of the Health Occupations Article, other than incidental care, shall include, in its bylaws, rules, or regulations, provisions for use of facilities by and staff privileges for qualified podiatrists.

        (2)    The hospital or related institution may restrict use of facilities and staff privileges by podiatrists to those podiatrists who meet the qualifications that the hospital or related institution sets for granting those privileges.

        (3)    The qualifications that the hospital or related institution sets for granting privileges for services that licensed podiatrists are authorized to perform under Title 16 of the Health Occupations Article shall include consideration of the training, education, and experience of the podiatrist.

    (c)    (1)    A hospital or related institution shall include in its bylaws, rules, or regulations provisions for use of facilities by and staff privileges for qualified dentists.

        (2)    The hospital or related institution may restrict use of facilities and staff privileges by dentists to those dentists who meet the qualifications that the hospital or related institution sets for granting those privileges.

    (d)    (1)    A hospital or related institution that provides services of the type that licensed psychologists are permitted to perform under Title 18 of the Health Occupations Article shall include in its bylaws, rules, or regulations, provisions for use of facilities by and staff privileges for qualified psychologists.

        (2)    The hospital or related institution may restrict use of facilities and staff privileges by psychologists to those psychologists who meet the qualifications that the hospital or related institution sets for granting those privileges.

        (3)    (i)    Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require a hospital to:

                1.    Grant admitting privileges to a psychologist; or

                2.    Permit the exercise of those privileges granted by the hospital board of trustees to psychologists without appropriate collaboration with the physician who has privileges to admit and attend patients in the unit of the facility where the patient is being treated and who has ongoing responsibility for the patient.

            (ii)    In the event of a disagreement between the psychologist and the physician concerning the patient’s treatment, the decision of the physician who has ongoing responsibility for the patient shall govern.