§1–221.

    (a)    In this section, “health care practitioner” means a person who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized under this article to provide health care services in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession.

    (b)    This section applies only to a health care practitioner who practices in:

        (1)    A freestanding ambulatory care facility;

        (2)    A physician’s office; or

        (3)    An urgent care facility.

    (c)    Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, when providing health care to a patient, a health care practitioner shall wear a badge or other form of identification displaying in readily visible type:

        (1)    The health care practitioner’s first name, nickname, last name, or full name that is commonly used in the office or facility; and

        (2)    The type of license of the health care practitioner.

    (d)    A badge or other form of identification is not required to be worn if:

        (1)    (i)    The patient is being seen in the office of a health care practitioner who is a solo practitioner; and

            (ii)    The name and license of the health care practitioner can be readily determined by the patient from a posted license or sign in the office; or

        (2)    The patient is being seen in:

            (i)    An operating room or other setting where surgical or other invasive procedures are performed; or

            (ii)    Any other setting where maintaining a sterile environment is medically necessary.

    (e)    (1)    Each health occupations board may adopt regulations to implement this section.

        (2)    The regulations, when necessary for the patient or health care practitioner’s safety or for therapeutic concerns may provide exemptions from wearing a badge or other form of identification.

        (3)    A violation may be reported to the health occupations board that licensed or certified the health care practitioner.

        (4)    In response to a reported violation, a health occupations board may send an advisory letter or a letter of education to the health care practitioner.

    (f)    An advisory letter or letter of education sent by a health occupations board under this section is confidential and may not be publicly reported as a disciplinary action.