Theodore R. McKeldin, Governor                   333

be consolidated at the Central Farm and thereby save operating costs
without impairing needed services; and be it further

Resolved, That the Department of Mental Hygiene and the Depart-
ment of Budget and Procurement be requested promptly to report
the results of their study, together with any recommendations they
may have, to the Legislative Council and to the members of the
General Assembly.

Approved March 26, 1956.

No. 12
(House Joint Resolution 6)

Joint Resolution requesting the Department of Mental Hygiene to
study the schedule of fees paid by patients at the mental hospitals,
and the possible establishment of a new schedule of fees based upon,
the actual cost of maintaining a patient.

Whereas, During an extended review of State budgetary policy by
the Committee on Taxation and Fiscal Matters, study was made of
the schedule of fees paid by patients at the several mental hospitals;,
and

Whereas, It was the judgment of this Committee that improve-
ments might be made in the schedule of fees, so that they could bear
some relationship to the actual cost of maintaining a patient; and

Whereas, One possible solution would be to survey the ability to>
pay of each family having a patient in a hospital, so that the payment
to be made for that patient would be based directly upon the cost of
maintenance and the ability to pay; and

Whereas, Such a plan would mean that the State could be relieved
of a very considerable expense, since those families who might be able,
without hardship, to make substantial contribution to the cost of
hospital care would then be called upon to do so; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the Depart-
ment of Mental Hygiene be requested to make a thorough study of
the schedule of fees now charged to patients in the several mental
hospitals, analyzing the financial relations between the State and the
local political sub-divisions, and also considering the collecting of
fees from the families of patients, based in individual instances upon*
their ability to contribute to this cost; and be it further

Resolved, That the Department of Mental Hygiene be requested
promptly to report the results of its study, together with any recom-

Explanation: Italics indicate new matter added to existing law.
[Brackets] indicate matter stricken from existing law.
CAPITALS indicate amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken out of bill.