2246

LAWS OF MARYLAND

[Ch. 377

preferred claim against the estate of any such person.
The claim may be waived by the Department if, in its
judgment, enforcement of such claims will result in
substantial hardship to beneficiaries of those estates
against which such claims exist.]

SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section
48 of Article 43 — Health, of the Annotated Code of
Maryland (1971 Replacement Volume and 1974 Supplement) be
and it is hereby repealed and re—enacted, with
amendments, to read as follows:

Article 43 - Health

48.

The local board of health of each county shall meet
semiannually in the months of May and October, and as
much oftener as they may deem necessary; they shall act
in conjunction with the [State Board of Health]
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE and shall report
to [said Board] THE DEPARTMENT [such] ANY facts in
reference to the sanitary conditions of their respective
counties as they may deem important or necessary; they
may adopt and enforce all needful rules and regulations
concerning nuisances and causes of sickness within their
respective jurisdiction subject to the provisions of this
article; they may regulate all fees and charges in
connection with their own regulations, BUT ANY FEES AND
CHARGES FOR SERVICES IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITH STATE OF
FEDERAL FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
AND MENTAL HYGIENE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL AND
MODIFICATION OF THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
AND MENTAL HYGIENE; and THEY shall establish the salaries
of their respective county health officers.

SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section
39 of Article 59 — Mental Hygiene, of the Annotated Code
of Maryland (1972 Replacement Volume and 1974 Supplement)
be and it is hereby repealed and re—enacted, with
amendments, to read as follows:

Article 59 — Mental Hygiene

39.

(A) It is the intent of this subtitle to require
all patients financially able to do so to pay for mental
health services received by them. Such obligations
extend to not only the patients, but also to those
legally responsible for them. Where such patients or
their responsible relatives are unable to pay for their