970                              Laws of Maryland                      [Ch. 438

sion (1) of this subsection, or that any person has not paid any cost
directed to be paid pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection,
he may declare that such person has engaged in an unlawful prac-
tice. Thereafter any such practice shall qualify as an unlawful prac-
tice under Section 21 of this article, and shall thereafter be subject
to Sections 22 and 22A of this article, including the penalties pre-
scribed therein, EXCEPT THAT THE PENALTY OF IMPRISON-
MENT SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY VIOLATION OF THIS
SECTION.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take effect
January 1, 1972.

Approved May 17, 1971.

CHAPTER 438
(Senate Bill 208)

AN ACT to add new Section 566A to Article 43 of the Annotated
Code of Maryland (1965 Replacement Volume and 1970 Supple-
ment), title "Health," subtitle "Hospitals and Related Institu-
tions," to follow immediately after Section 566 thereof, to enable
any county to establish a Citizens Nursing Home Board and to
provide for the constitution, control, compensation, powers and
duties, meetings, and financing thereof.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That new Section 566A be and it is hereby added to Article 43 of
the Annotated Code of Maryland (1965 Replacement Volume and
1970 Supplement), title "Health," subtitle "Hospitals and Related
Institutions," to follow immediately after Section 566 thereof, and
to read as follows:

566A.

The board of county commissioners or county council of every
county in this State may establish a Citizens Nursing Home Board.

(a)  The Board shall consist of ten members; and the initial mem-
bers shall be appointed by the county commissioners or county coun-
cil; three members to be appointed for three years, three for two
years, three for one year. Members shall be chosen from among the
residents of the county. One member of the Board of county com-
missioners or county council shall be a member of the Board, ex-
offtcio, as chosen by the board of county commissioners or county
council from time to time. As the terms of the initial appointees
expire or as vacancies occur, their successors shall be elected by a
majority vote or quorum of the Board for terms of three years or
the remainder thereof; and hereafter, these positions shall be so
filled.

(b)   The members of the Board shall serve without compensation.

(c)   The Board shall establish, maintain, and operate a nursing
or convalescent home or homes and any other facilities and services