MARVIN MANDEL, Governor

2243

information relative to the patient has failed or refused
to disclose such information to the Department.

42.

(a)    The Department shall investigate the financial
condition of all patients, their responsible relatives,
and other persons legally chargeable for any obligation
of the patient in order to determine the ability of the
patient or his responsible relatives to pay for the cost
of care of the patient.

(b)    In making such investigation, the Department
may require reports to be made to it by the patient or
other persons, whether or not related to the patient,
upon such forms as may be prepared by the Department.

(c)    Upon the refusal or failure of any person to
file the required report, the Department may apply to the
circuit court of the county in which the person is a
resident, or doing business, for an order to compel the
filing of the report. Failure to obey the order shall
be punishable as contempt of court.

43.

Nothing contained in this subtitle shall be
construed to prevent the Department from accepting, in
lieu of the requirements of this subtitle, the
requirements regarding the investigation of financial
condition, standards of eligibility, and legal
responsibility of patients, their responsible relatives,
their estates, or their legal representatives, as
provided in the Maryland Medical Assistance Plan, the
applicable federal laws and regulations under Title XIX
of the Social Security Amendment of 1965, or other
amendments thereto, as may be enacted from time to time.

44.

(a)    All payments made under the provisions of this
subtitle, shall be made to and collected by the
Department, and shall be accounted for and paid into the
general funds of the State treasury by the Department,
according to the procedure in effect for such accounting.

(b)    The Department is authorized to institute
whatever proceedings it finds necessary to require
payment of the charges established and uncollected.

(c)    Upon the death of any patient, the Department
may make claim against the estate of the patient for any
unpaid charges theretofore established for that patient.
No claim under this section shall be made for cost of