324/Maryland Manual

David F. Chavkin, Executive Director

2510 St. Paul St.
Baltimore 21218 Telephone: 383-3400
TTY: 235-4227

In 1977 the Maryland Advocacy Unit for the
Developmentally Disabled was created by Execu-
tive Order in accordance with federal statute (P.L.
94—103). The Unit is the State's official agency
designated to protect and advocate the rights of the
developmentally disabled in Maryland. It is a non-
profit private corporation directed by a nine-
member Board of Directors. The Governor ap-
points the Board's members.

The Maryland Advocacy Unit for the Develop-
mentally Disabled, Inc., (MAUDD) has developed
a network of advocacy services to pursue legal,
administrative, and other appropriate remedies to
ensure the protection of the rights of disabled
persons who are entitled to receive treatment,
services, or habilitation within the State. MAUDD
is independent of any State agency which provides
treatment, services, or habilitation to persons with
disabilities.

MAUDD serves disabled persons with problems
in guardianship, special education, lack of ade-
quate services in institutions and the community,
abuse and neglect, as well as other problems
related to their disability.

GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON
DOMESTIC RELATIONS LAWS

Chairman: Beverly Anne Groner

John D. Alexander, Jr.; Benjamin L. Cardin; John
P. Corderman; J. Joseph Curran; John W. Ester;
Kathleen O'Ferrall Friedman; Ruth H. Hobson;
Bruce Alan Kaufman; Marvin J. Land; Gerard
T. McDonough; Dorothy Curtis Melby; Joseph
E. Owens; Thomas J. Peddicord, Jr.; Thomas A.
Rymer; Robert B. Watts.

Samuel B. Groner, Reporter

Air Rights Plaza, Suite 403 North
4550 Montgomery Ave.
Bethesda 20814 Telephone: 657-2828

The Governor appointed this Commission in
1976 to undertake a complete study of the consti-
tutional, statutory, and common law provisions
concerning domestic relations and to make appro-
priate recommendations for improvement in the
law. The Commission consists of members of the
General Assembly, the Judiciary, the Maryland
Bar, and other interested citizens.

The Commission made its first report to the
Governor in January 1978. It submitted proposed
legislation, which was enacted as Chapter 794,
Acts of 1978. It affects the disposition of property
upon divorce or annulment.

The Commission's second report, made in Janu-
ary 1980, contained proposed legislation which
was enacted as Chapter 575, Acts of 1980. This law
affects the respective alimony rights and obliga-
tions of spouses.

In its third report of January 1982, the Commis-
sion reported to the Governor on its recommenda-
tions for new laws affecting custody of children
and grounds for divorce. The 1982 General Assem-
bly did not pass the proposed legislation.

In 1983, the Commission proposed legislation
affecting custody of children and grounds for
divorce. The General Assembly did not pass the
child custody proposal but did enact, with amend-
ments, the proposal concerning grounds for di-
vorce.

DOMICILIARY CARE FACILITIES
BOARD

Chairperson: Constance Lieder, Secretary of State
Planning

Edith G. Blount; Calhoun Bond; Betty K.
Hamburger; Sally C. Myers; Charlene C. Quinn.

Ex officio: Rosalie S. Abrams, Director on Aging;
Adele Wilzack, Secretary of Health and Mental
Hygiene; Ruth Massinga, Secretary of Human
Resources.

c/o Department of State Planning
301 W. Preston St.
Baltimore 21201 Telephone: 383-7700

At the request of the General Assembly, the
Governor created the Domiciliary Care Facilities
Board in September 1984 (Joint Resolution no. 23,
Acts of 1984). For all facilities that provide
domiciliary, personal, or nursing care, the Board
reviews and makes recommendations regarding
issues that require interagency cooperation. The
Board also develops coordinated standards to
resolve problems involving community responses
to facilities that provide domiciliary care.

The Board consists of four ex officio members
and five consumer members appointed by the
Governor.