2308

VETOES

May 29, 1979
Honorable Benjamin L. Cardin
Speaker of the House of Delegates
State House
Annapolis, Maryland 21404

Dear Mr. Speaker:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the
Maryland Constitution, I have today vetoed House Bill 1062.

This bill provides a statutory procedure for the
resolution of disputes between the Mental Hygiene
Administration and the Mental Retardation Administration
regarding the proper placement of patients in residential
facilities of the respective Administrations.

In my judgment, the provisions of Code, Art. 59A, §§15
and 17, coupled with the authority vested in the Secretary
of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Governor are more than
sufficient to resolve any such disputes in a manner
consistent with the primary mission of the Department, i.e.,
to provide a speedy, efficient, effective and coordinated
public health care program. Therefore, I am satisfied that,
as a matter of law, this measure is unnecessary. However, I
am not satisfied that, as a matter of fact, the problems
which prompted this legislation are insignificant. Quite to
the contrary, wherever the General Assembly of Maryland
finds it necessary to provide a statutory mechanism for
resolving disputes between agencies within the Executive
Branch, especially where, as here, they are constituent
agencies of the very same Department, X am greatly
concerned. Consequently, I have directed the Secretary of
Health and Mental Hygiene to review the subject of requests
for transfers for the purpose of insuring that the laudable
intent of this legislation is achieved administratively.

For these reasons, I have decided to veto House Bill
1062.

Sincerely,
Harry Hughes
Governor

House Bill No. 1090
AH ACT concerning