(a)    (1)    A hospital shall be classified:

(i)    As a general hospital if the hospital at least has the facilities and provides the services that are necessary for the general medical and surgical care of patients;

(ii)    As a special hospital if the hospital:

1.    Defines a program of specialized services, such as obstetrics, mental health, tuberculosis, orthopedy, chronic disease, or communicable disease;

2.    Admits only patients with medical or surgical needs within the program; and

3.    Has the facilities for and provides those specialized services;

(iii)    As a special rehabilitation hospital if the hospital meets the requirements of this subtitle and Subtitle 12 of this title; or

(iv)    As a limited service hospital if the health care facility:

1.    Is licensed as a hospital on or after January 1, 1999;

2.    Changes the type or scope of services offered by eliminating the capability to admit or retain individuals for overnight hospitalization;

3.    Retains an emergency or urgent care center; and

4.    Complies with the regulations adopted by the Secretary under § 19-307.1 of this subtitle.

(2)    The Secretary may set, by rule or regulation, other reasonable classifications for hospitals.

(b)    A related institution shall be classified:

(1)    As a care home if the related institution provides care to individuals who, because of advanced age or physical or mental disability, require domiciliary care or personal care in a protective environment; or

(2)    As a nursing home if the related institution:

(i)    Provides nursing care for chronically ill or convalescent patients; or

(ii)    Offers to provide 24-hour a day nursing care of patients in a home-type facility such as:

1.    A convalescent home;

2.    A nursing unit of a home for the aged;

3.    A psychiatric nursing home;

4.    A nursing facility for individuals with disabilities;

5.    A home for alcoholics; or

6.    A halfway house.