618                              Laws of Maryland                        Ch. 256

CHAPTER 256
(Senate Bill 642)

AN ACT to add new Sections 755-766, inclusive, to Article 43 of
the Annotated Code of Maryland (1965 Replacement Volume and
1969 Supplement), title "Health," to add a new subtitle "Greater
Laurel Hospital Authority," creating said Authority, providing
for the appointment of a board of directors to govern the Authority
so created, outlining the duties and powers of the Authority and
its board of directors, authorizing the board to accept certain
gifts and grants, and to issue revenue bonds under certain con-
ditions, to provide for the employment of certain personnel, the
establishment of a merit system for employees and the establish-
ment for the benefit of said employees of a retirement or pension
plan, providing for certain fiscal responsibilities and processes
for the Authority, providing for the severability of the provisions
of this Act, and relating generally thereto.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That new Sections 755-766, inclusive, be and they are hereby added
to Article 43 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1965 Replace-
ment Volume and 1969 Supplement), title "Health," creating a new
subtitle "Greater Laurel Hospital Authority," and to read as follows:

755.

Hospital Authority Created

There is hereby created a Greater Laurel Hospital Authority.
Such Authority shall have the power and authority to construct and
operate or to contract for the construction or operation of a com-
prehensive public health facility or facilities including a full service
public hospital in the general vicinity of the City of Laurel.

756.
Board of Directors

(a) The Authority shall be governed by a board of directors
consisting of twelve members who shall be appointed by the Gov-
ernor by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Three
members of the board of directors shall be appointed from each
of the counties of Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince
George's.

(b)  At least one member of the board of directors from each
county shall be a certified member of the medical profession.

(c)  On or before August 1, 1970, the Governor shall appoint one
member of the board of directors from, each county to serve A TERM
OF ONE YEAR, ONE MEMBER FROM EACH COUNTY TO
SERVE a term of two years and one member FROM EACH
COUNTY to serve a term of three years. Thereafter, appoint-
ments to the board of directors shall be for a term of three years
each and shall be made annually on or before the first day of August.

(d)  Persons appointed to the board of directors shall be residents
of the general area to be served by the Authority and shall serve
without compensation.