2744

VETOES

The fiscal note prepared by the Department of Fiscal
Services indicates a cost to implement the bill of
$665,000 in Fiscal Year 1977, rising to $831,000 in
Fiscal Year 1981. This is to support the salaries and
other costs of 45 social workers needed to administer the
aftercare program. There are expected to be 12,300
discharges from the State institutions alone in Fiscal
Year 1977.

I have no objection to, and indeed support, the
preparation and implementation of aftercare plans for
patients who will take advantage of them or will consent
to their being implemented. However, to spend the kind
of money indicated above to prepare plans that will
merely sit in files for possible future reference seems
to me to be a grossly inappropriate and unwise policy.
In lieu of this bill, I will request the Department of
Health and Mental Hygiene to prepare these plans for
those patients who will take advantage of them, and
develop a program for their implementation.

For these reasons, I have vetoed Senate Bill 171.

Sincerely,
Marvin Mandel
Governor

Senate Bill No. 180 — Alimony and Counsel Fees

AN ACT concerning

Sexual Discrimination — Alimony and Counsel Fees

FOR the purpose of providing that restrictions upon
granting of alimony, alimony pendente lite and
counsel fees apply equally to both spouses.

May 17, 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
180.