3570

JOINT RESOLUTIONS

cost-efficient and effective use of space throughout the system;
and

WHEREAS, The regional psychiatric hospital centers are the
largest and oldest of Mental Hygiene facilities and contain many
acres of unused land and buildings that are empty or in need of
extensive repair; and

WHEREAS, Asbestos has been discovered in many State
psychiatric hospital buildings and abatement of this problem may
be extremely costly; and

WHEREAS, The 5-year deinstitutionalization plan of the
Mental Hygiene Administration calls for development of additional
community housing, therapeutic, rehabilitation, case management,
and other community support services for persons with mental
disorders, some of whom now reside in State psychiatric
facilities; and

WHEREAS, State expenditures for State psychiatric hospitals
continue to represent at least 80% of all funds expended by the
State for mental health services; and

WHEREAS, There exists no clear policy as to how State
psychiatric hospitals are to be integrated into a community-based
mental health care delivery system; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the
Legislative Policy Committee and the Governor are requested to
establish by June 1, 1986, a 13 15 member commission, called
the Commission on the Future of State Psychiatric Hospitals, to
study the most appropriate utilization and role of State
psychiatric hospital centers in a community-based mental health
care delivery system and make recommendations concerning the
budgets, service standards, scope of patient care and number of
these facilities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Commission consist of 13 l5 members
including:

(1)  1 member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by
the President of the Senate;

(2)  1 member of the House of Delegates, appointed by
the Speaker of the House;

(3)  The Director of Mental Hygiene Administration;

(4)  1 representative of the State Health Resources
Planning Commission, appointed by the Governor;

(5)  1 representative of the State Health Services
Cost Review Commission, appointed by the Governor;