1462                                     LAWS OF MARYLAND                                 Ch. 696

for establishing such earnings, and includes any compensation paid by the business
or farm operation to the owner, his spouse, or his dependents during such period.

12-206.

(a)    Whenever the acquisition of real property for a program or project
undertaken by a [condemning authority] PUBLIC OR PRIVATE AGENCY will
result in the displacement of any person [on or after July 1, 1971], the
[condemning authority] PUBLIC OR PRIVATE AGENCY shall provide a
relocation assistance advisory program for displaced persons which shall offer the
services described in subsection (b) of this section. If such [condemning authority 1
PUBLIC OR PRIVATE AGENCY determines that any person occupying
property immediately adjacent to the real property acquired is caused substantial
economic injury because of the acquisition, it may offer such person relocation
advisory services under such program.

(b)  Each relocation assistance advisory program required by subsection (a) of
this section shall include such measures, facilities, or services as may be necessary
or appropriate in order to-

(1)  Determine the need, if any, of displaced persons, for relocation assistance;

(2)  Provide current and continuing information on the availability, prices, and
rentals, of comparable decent, safe and sanitary sales and rental housing, and of
comparable commercial properties and locations for displaced businesses;

(3)  Assure that, within a reasonable period of time, prior to displacement there
will be available in areas not generally less desirable in regard to public utilities
and public and commercial facilities and at rents or prices within the financial
means of the families and individuals displaced, decent, safe and sanitary
dwellings, as defined by such [condemning authority] PUBLIC OR PRIVATE
AGENCY equal in number to the number of and available to such displaced
persons who require such dwellings and reasonably accessible to their places of
employment, except that the head of the (condemning authority,] PUBLIC OR
PRIVATE AGENCY may prescribe by regulation situations when such assurances
may be waived;

(4)  Assist a displaced person displaced from his business or farm operation in
obtaining and becoming established in a suitable replacement location;

(5)  Supply information concerning federal and State housing programs, disaster
loan programs, and other federal or State programs offering assistance to
displaced persons; and

(6)  Provide other advisory services to displaced persons in order to minimize
hardships to such persons in adjusting to relocation.

12-206.1. REAL PROPERTY ACQUISITION POLICIES.

WHENEVER REAL PROPERTY IS ACQUIRED BY A PUBLIC
AGENCY, THE PUBLIC AGENCY, TO THE GREATEST EXTENT
PRACTICABLE, SHALL BE GUIDED BY THE FOLLOWING POLICIES.

(1)   THE PUBLIC AGENCY SHALL MAKE EVERY REASONABLE
EFFORT TO ACQUIRE EXPEDITIOUSLY REAL PROPERTY BY
NEGOTIATION.

(2)     REAL PROPERTY SHALL BE APPRAISED BEFORE THE
INITIATION OF NEGOTIATIONS, AND THE OWNER OR HIS
DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE SHALL BE GIVEN          AN