MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                        2743

Sincerely,
Marvin Mandel
Governor

Senate Bill No. 171 — Mental Health Aftercare Services

AN ACT concerning

Mental Health — Aftercare Services

FOR the purpose of requiring aftercare programs to be
included in mental health services except in a
certain instance; permitting funds for aftercare
programs; providing responsibilities of certain
officials in the design and implementation of
aftercare services; requiring certain information to
be included in aftercare plans; [[and]] generally
providing for rules and regulations to be
established in mental health aftercare programs;

clarifying language; and removing incorrect

references.

May 19, 1976.
Honorable Steny H. Hoyer
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis, Maryland 21404

Dear Mr. President:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the
Maryland Constitution, I have today vetoed Senate Bill
171.

This bill requires the preparation of a detailed
written aftercare plan for each patient prior to
discharge from a public or private mental health
facility, except a voluntary patient who leaves the
facility against medical advice. It also requires that
the plan be sent to the Regional Mental Health Director
and the Local Public Health Officer of the county in
which the patient resides if the patient consents in
writing to such transmission. If he does not, the plan
is to be placed in the patient's file for "possible
future reference", A patient discharged on a voluntary
basis may refuse all services provided in his aftercare
plan; yet, subject to obtaining his consent, the plan
must still be sent to the two local officials "for
reference or possible future action".