2888                                        LAWS OF MARYLAND                     [Ch. 865

admitted under the provisions of this subtitle, shall
make and retain in a separate and secure area of the
facility, complete records of each such patient. Such
records shall contain copies of all data required by this
article, and such additional information as may be
required by the Department. Such records shall be open
for inspection by persons designated by the Commissioner
and in accordance with the provisions of [the Privileged
Communications Act, Article 35, § 13A,] §9-109 OF THE
COURTS ARTICLE OF THE CODE, but shall be closed to all
other persons.

51.

Ho patient in any facility shall be deprived of his
right to vote, receive, hold and dispose of property
unless he has been declared to be incompetent by a court
in accordance with the provisions of [Article 16 of this
Code} THE COURTS ARTICLE OF THE CODE.

SECTION 12. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That
Sections 17, 35 of Article 59A - Mental Retardation, of
the Annotated Code of Maryland (1972 Replacement Volume
and 1973 Supplement) be and they are hereby repealed and
re-enacted, with amendments, to read as follows:

Article 59A — Rental Retardation
17.

Each facility which has any persons admitted under
the provisions of this subtitle, shall make and retain in
a separate and secure area of the facility, complete
records of each person. Such records shall contain
copies of all data required by this article, and such
additional information as may be required by the
Administration. Such records shall be open for
inspection by persons designated by the director and in
accordance with the provisions of the Privileged
Communications Act, Article 35, § 13A, of the Code]
§9-109 OF THE COURTS ARTICLE OF THE CODE, but shall be
closed to all other persons.

35.

No mentally retarded person in any facility shall be
deprived of his right to vote, receive, hold and dispose
of property unless he has been declared to be incompetent
by a court in accordance with the provisions of [Article
16 Of this Code] THE COURTS ARTICLE OF THE CODE.

SECTION 13. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section