3608

LAWS OF MARYLAND

[Ch. 882

designee shall recommend an appropriate program.

(e)  Every mentally retarded person admitted to a
facility pursuant to this section shall, upon admission,
be notified in writing of the date, time and place of a
hearing to be held regarding his admission status. The
proponent of said admission shall be notified as soon as
possible, but no later than within five (5) days in
writing of the date, time and place of a hearing to be
held regarding the admission status. Such notice shall,
in addition to the notification required in § 12 of this
subtitle, set forth the name or names of the proponent of
the person's admission and shall, in addition, notify the
person admitted of the right to consult legal counsel,
the right to be represented by counsel, and the right to
call witnesses and present evidence at the scheduled
hearing. The notice shall also advise of the
availability of legal services of the Legal Aid Bureaus,
Lawyer Referral Services, and such other agencies as then
may exist for the referral of persons in need of legal
counsel.

(f)   Every person admitted pursuant to this section
shall be afforded a hearing within [twenty—one (21)] 21
days of his admission to a facility.

(g)   The provisions of this section shall apply to
every mentally retarded person admitted to a facility
pursuant to § 9 of this article or any other provision of
law, who shall become 21 years of age subsequent to his
admission.

(h) The Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene shall
be responsible for promulgating rules and regulations to
carry out the provisions of this section.

12.

(b) [No] A mentally retarded person admitted
pursuant to §§9, 10 and 11 of this subtitle may NOT be
retained for more than three [(3)] days after the person
who applied for his admission requests his release.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1975.

Approved May 15, 1975.

CHAPTER 883
(House Bill 1578)