§4–401.

    (a)    In this section, “provider” means:

        (1)    An acupuncturist;

        (2)    A chiropractor;

        (3)    A dentist;

        (4)    A nurse;

        (5)    An optometrist;

        (6)    A physician;

        (7)    A podiatrist; or

        (8)    A person who is employed by or under contract with a hospital, nursing institution, or other health care provider.

    (b)    A provider may not knowingly or willfully destroy, damage, alter, obliterate, or otherwise obscure a medical record, hospital report, laboratory report, X-ray report, or other information about a patient in an effort to conceal the information from use as evidence in an administrative, civil, or criminal proceeding.

    (c)    A provider who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both.