1908                              Joint Resolutions

Whereas, There is a need for a study to be undertaken by a com-
mittee of the Legislative Council to determine if firemen and mem-
bers of rescue squads should receive training from a commission
form as police and correctional officers do or that the present Fire
Service Extension Department be continued UNDER THE UNI-
VERSITY OF MARYLAND; and

Whereas, If the committee of the Legislative Council determines
that a training commission be established for firemen and members
of a rescue squad RESCUE SQUADS that consideration be given to
implementation legislation and the future of the Fire Service Exten-
sion Department; now; therefore, be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the Legis-
lative Council initiate a study of the feasibility of establishing a
training commission for firemen and members of a rescue squad,
RESCUE SQUADS, and report its recommendations to the General
Assembly of 1973 for either the continuance or modification of exist-
ing programs or the establishing of new programs and implement-
ing legislation relating thereto.; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT COPIES OF THIS RESOLUTION ARE
SENT TO THE CHAIRMAN AND SECRETARY OF THE LEG-
ISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Approved May 5, 1972.

No. 30
(Senate Joint Resolution 78)

Senate Joint Resolution supporting the Community Mental Health
Program of Maryland and urging renewed effort in accord with
the Maryland Community Mental Health Services Act of 1966.

Whereas, Mental and emotional illness is a major health problem
affecting the health, happiness and productivity of hundreds of thou-
sands of Maryland's citizens; and

Whereas, The Maryland Community Mental Health Services Act
was enacted in 1966 by unanimous vote of the Maryland House of
Delegates and Maryland Senate; and

Whereas, The approach to the delivery of services to mentally and
emotionally ill people through Community Mental Health Services
and facilities has been recognized nationally as well as in Maryland
as the most effective method for coping with mental illness; and

Whereas, The principal objective of the Community Mental
Health Program is to reduce the great expense incurred by the State's
reliance on an institutional system of care for the mentally ill, and
those with related human problems, by utilizing the less expensive
community care and facilities program; and

Whereas, The total investment by the State in the Community
Mental Health Program represents only a beginning toward the
implementation of a statewide Community Mental Health system;
and