174                                   LAWS OF MARYLAND                          [CH. 125

the relative fiscal capacity of the various areas, and (3) an indication
of the priorities of the different services needed.

(g) The governing body of any county(ies) or Baltimore City
desiring to establish a mental health program conforming to the
provisions of this subtitle and the regulations pertaining thereto may
apply for the assistance provided by this subtitle by submitting
annually to the Commissioner of Mental Hygiene with the approval
of the Board of Health and Mental Hygiene, its plan and budget for
the next fiscal year. No community mental health services program
shall be eligible for support under this subtitle unless its plan and
budget conform to the State plan and the priorities established
thereunder and the qualifications of professional personnel involved
conform to standards prescribed by the Commissioner of Mental
Hygiene.

(h) The Commissioner of Mental Hygiene shall appoint regional
representatives who will act as his deputies and will coordinate the
local mental health programs in each of the regions of the State with
the regional State psychiatric hospitals and represent the Commis-
sioner of Mental Hygiene in carrying out his responsibilities concern-
ing the mental health services and facilities of the region.

(i) The health officer for each county and for Baltimore City shall
be responsible for the local mental health services program and shall:

(1)    consult with the regional representative of the Commissioner
of Mental Hygiene in planning for various program components;

(2)    prepare an annual plan and budget for provision of services,
establishment of facilities, contracting for services or facilities and
other matters necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of
the Act;

(3)    assure that the qualifications of personnel and the quality of
professional services rendered meet the standards prescribed by the
Commissioner of Mental Hygiene with the approval of the State
Board of Health and Mental Hygiene;

(4) exercise general supervision over mental health services and
facilities furnished, operated, or supported by his department;

(5)    submit an annual report to the advisory board COMMITTEE
and the governing body on all activities of the program including a
financial accounting of expenditures and a forecast of anticipated
needs for the ensuing year;

(6)    carry on such other duties as may be necessary to accomplish
the purposes of the subtitle.

(j) The Commissioner of Mental Hygiene with the approval of

the Board of Health and Mental Hygiene may award grants for any

program providing at least two of the services specified in subsection

(b). Funding of the State share shall be in accordance with a for-

mula for financing of health and mental health services established

by the General Assembly and with criteria approved by the Board

of Health and Mental Hygiene. All or part of a grant may be made

in the form of facilities, materials and services.

(J) FUNDING OF LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS
SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULES AND REGULA-
TIONS ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD OF HEALTH AND