190                                   LAWS OF MARYLAND                          [CH. 146

providing transportation may be adopted. If a patient has left the
center against medical advice he may be readmitted at the discretion
of the medical officer in charge of the center, and he may not be denied
readmission solely because he left against medical advice.

305.    Outpatient and Aftercare Treatment.

(a)  A chronic alcoholic shall be encouraged to consent to out-
patient and aftercare treatment for his illness at the types of facil-
ities, and utilizing the broad spectrum of services, provided for under
Section 302 (a) (3) of this chapter.

(1)  Any person may voluntarily request admission to outpatient
treatment.

(2)   (a) Because of the nature and seriousness of the disease a
chronic alcoholic must be expected to relapse into intoxication one
or more times after the onset of therapy. No alcoholic shall be dropped
from outpatient treatment solely because of such relapses. All reason-
able methods of treatment should be used to prevent their recurrence.

(b)  There are some chronic alcoholics for whom recovery is un-
likely. For these, supportive services and residential facilities shall
be provided so that they may survive in a decent manner.

(c)  All public and private community efforts, including but not
limited to welfare services, vocational rehabilitation, and job re-
placement, shall be utilized as part of the treatment programs to
integrate chronic alcoholics back into society as productive citizens.

(d)  If a patient has withdrawn from outpatient treatment against
medical advice he may be readmitted at the discretion of the medical
officer in charge of outpatient treatment. He may not be denied re-
admission solely because he withdrew against medical advice.

306.    Civil Commitment.

(a) A judge of the Circuit Court in Equity, trial magistrate, sub-
stitute trial magistrate or judge of the People's Court of the County
in which a detoxification unit is located, or of the County wherein
the patient resides, or, if he has no residence, the County from which
he came to the unit, or a judge of the Circuit Court or Municipal
Court of Baltimore City as the case may be, on a petition of the Com-
missioner of Mental Hygiene, or his delegate, or on a petition of the
governing body of a subdivision, or its delegate, if the detoxification
unit is a local government facility, filed and heard before the 5 day
period of detention for detoxification expires, may order a person
to be temporarily committed further for detoxification or for in-
patient treatment and care for a period not to exceed 30 days from
the date of admission to a detoxification unit if, sitting without a
jury, he determines that the person (1) is a chronic alcoholic, and
as a result of chronic or acute intoxication is (2) in immediate danger
of substantial physical harm and (3) unable to make a rational de-
cision about accepting assistance. A patient so committed shall be
released without the necessity of court permission as soon as, in the
judgment of the medical officer in charge of the facility wherein he
is detained, he is once again able to make a rational decision about
accepting assistance, unless he chooses voluntarily to remain. He
shall be encouraged to consent to further treatment and rehabilitation.