972                              Laws of Maryland                      [Ch. 439

less frequently than once per month. It shall adopt, subject to the
terms of this section, such rules as are necessary for the internal
regulation of the Board.

(e)  The activities of the Board shall be supported insofar as pos-
sible by citizen support, voluntary contributions, fees and charges,
payments from the State and federal government. The county com-
missioners or county council are authorized to make annual appro-
priations in support of the operations of the Citizens Nursing Home
Board of the county for the objective of maintaining an adequate
level of medical and nursing care for the aged, convalescent, and
chronically ill citizens of the county. In further support of the ob-
jectives of this section the county commissioners or county council
may make appropriations for land acquisition and capital improve-
ments or borrow funds for these purposes and issue individual
notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness.

(f)   The Board shall annually report their activities to the county
commissioners or county council during the preceding year, together
with recommendations or requests they deem appropriate to achieve
the objectives and purposes of this section.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take effect
July 1, 1971.

Approved May 17, 1971.

CHAPTER 439
(Senate Bill 222)

AN ACT to repeal and re-enact, with amendments, Section 83 of
Article 77 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1969 Replacement
Volume), title "Public Education," subtitle "Chapter 6. The Public
Schools," to change the requirements for obtaining a high school
diploma by examination by certain persons who are beyond the age
for regularly obtaining a high school certificate or diploma, and to
specify the manner of taking such examinations.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That Section 83 of Article 77 of the Annotated Code of Maryland
(1969 Replacement Volume), title "Public Education," subtitle "Chap-
ter 6. The Public Schools," be and it is hereby repealed and re-enacted,
with amendments, to read as follows:

83.

(a) Any person who has not obtained a high school certificate
or diploma and who has resided in Maryland or on a federal reserva-
tion within the State of Maryland for at least one year and (1) who
is 17 years of age or older and if under age 19 has been withdrawn
from a regular full time public or private school program for at least
six months, or (2) who is a member of the armed forces of the
United States and is 17 years of age or older, or, (3) who is an
inmate of any correctional institution within the State of Maryland