Section 19-345 - Transfer or discharge of resident(a) A resident of a facility may not be transferred or discharged from the facility involuntarily except for the following reasons: (1) The transfer or discharge is necessary for the resident's welfare and the resident's needs cannot be met in the facility;(2) The transfer or discharge is appropriate because the resident's health has improved sufficiently so that the resident no longer needs the services provided by the facility;(3) The health or safety of an individual in a facility is endangered;(4) The resident has failed, after reasonable and appropriate notice, to pay for, or under Medicare or Medicaid or otherwise, to have paid for a stay at the facility; or(5) The facility ceases to operate.(b)(1) A Medicaid certified facility may not: (i) Include in the admission contract of a resident any requirement that, to stay at the facility, the resident will be required to pay for any period of time or amount of money as a private pay resident for any period when the resident is eligible for Medicaid benefits; or(ii) Transfer or discharge a resident involuntarily because the resident is a Medicaid benefits recipient.(2)(i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, a Medicaid certified facility is presumed to be transferring or discharging a resident in violation of this subsection, if the resident is or becomes eligible for Medicaid benefits.(ii) A Medicaid certified facility is not presumed to be transferring or discharging a resident in violation of this subsection for transferring or discharging a resident for nonpayment for services while the resident was ineligible for assistance under the medical assistance program.Amended by 2019 Md. Laws, Ch. 545,Sec. 1, eff. 10/1/2019.