342 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 148

the officers and authorized employees thereof, shall have
the power to administer oaths and affirmations, conduct
examinations, subpoena witnesses, require the attendance
of witnesses and the production of books, records and pa-
pers, and may make application to the Circuit Court of
the County or the Superior Court of Baltimore City, to
compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of
such books, records and papers.

27. Upon the completion of such investigation, the local
unit shall decide whether the child is eligible for assistance
under the provisions of this sub-title and determine the
amount of such assistance and the date on which such as-
sistance shall begin. It shall make an award which shall
be binding upon the county or Baltimore City as the case
may be, and be complied with until such an award is modi-
fied or vacated. The local unit shall notify the applicant of
its decision in writing. Such assistance shall be paid month-
ly to the applicant upon order of the local unit out of any
funds available for said purpose. Provided, however, that
no award in excess of $18. 00 per month for one child in
a family, or in excess of $12. 00 per month for any addi-
tional child in a family, shall be made. If an application is
not acted upon by a local unit within a reasonable time,
or is denied or revoked, the applicant may appeal to the
State Department, which Department shall give the ap-
plicant an opportunity for a fair hearing. The State De-
partment may also, upon its own motion, review any de-
cision of a local unit, and may consider any application
upon which a decision has not been made by a local unit,
within a reasonable time. The State Department may make
such additional investigation as it may deem necessary, and
shall make such decision as to the granting of assistance
and the amount of assistance to be granted as in its opin-
ion is justified, and in conformity with the provisions of
this sub-title. All decisions of the State Department shall
be binding upon the local unit involved, and shall be com-
plied with by such local unit.

28. All assistance granted under this sub-title shall be
reconsidered as frequently as may be required. The amount
of assistance may be changed or assistance may be entirely
withdrawn if it appears that the child has reached the age
of sixteen years, or that the child's circumstances have al-
tered sufficiently to warrant such action. The local unit
may at any time cancel and revoke assistance for cause