2240

LAWS OF MARYLAND

[Ch. 377

of Budget and Fiscal Planning.

(c—1) It is the intent of this subtitle that a
husband may be liable for the support of a wife while she
is an inmate of any such center; a wife, for a husband; a
father or mother, or both, for a son or daughter under
eighteen (18) years of age; and a son or daughter, or
both, for a father or mother. However, no liability
under this subtitle shall be placed upon any son or
daughter for the support of a father or mother by whom
the son or daughter was abandoned; and no liability under
this subtitle shall be placed upon any husband or wife
for the support of a spouse by whom the husband or wife
has been abandoned. The State Board of Health and Mental
Hygiene shall promulgate rules and regulations pursuant
to the Administrative Procedure Act in Article 41 of this
Code, providing for a determination of what shall
constitute abandonment in any of these exceptions to the
liability for support. This determination as to what
constitutes abandonment is subject to judicial review
under the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act
in Article 41 of this Code. The provisions of § 97 of
Article 27 of this Code have no effect on any
determination of liability under this section.

(d)    Except with respect to accounts referred to
the central collection unit, all payments required to be
made under the provisions of this section shall be made
to and collected by the investigation unit, and shall be
accounted for and paid by the unit into the general funds
of the State treasury, according to the procedure in
effect for such accounting.

(d—1) In making investigations concerning
collections under this section and subtitle, the
investigation unit shall require reports or statements to
be made to it by such relatives or other persons, upon
summons as prepared from time to time by the unit. Upon
the refusal, wilful neglect or failure of any such
relative or other person to file the required report or
statement, the investigation unit is authorized to apply
to the circuit court of the county in which the relative
or person is a resident, or to the Superior Court of
Baltimore City, if the relative or person is a resident
of the city, for an order of court requiring the relative
or person to file the report or statement as specified by
the unit. A refusal, wilful neglect or failure of the
relative or person to observe the order of the court is
punishable as contempt of court.

(e)    Upon the death of any person admitted to any
chronic disease center, the investigation unit shall be
entitled to make claim against the estate of any such
person for his or her care while in such center, or for