1392

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 318

565C.

(a) It is the intent of the General Assembly and the
purpose of this section to promote the interests and
well—being of the patients and residents of skilled nursing
facilities and intermediate care facilities. It is declared
to be the public policy of this State that the interests of
the patient be protected by a declaration of a patient's
bill of rights and by requiring that the facilities treat
their patients in accordance with the provisions of this
bill of rights, which shall include, but not be limited to,
the following:

(18) A patient or resident may not be transferred
or discharged from a skilled nursing facility or
intermediate care facility except for medical reasons, the
patient's own or other patient's welfare, or nonpayment for
the stay. If such cause is reasonably believed to exist,
the patient or resident AND THE GUARDIAN OR NEXT OF KIN OF
THE PATIENT OR RESIDENT shall be given at least thirty (30)
days advance notice of the proposed action together with the
reasons for the decision and an opportunity for an impartial
hearing to challenge such action if the patient so wishes.
In emergencies such notice need not be [give] GIVEN.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1978.

Approved May 2, 1978.

CHAPTER 319

(House Bill 175)

AN ACT concerning

Mosquito Control - Funds Corrective Bill

FOR the purpose of deleting a restriction in the provisions

    relating to funds available to the Secretary of

Agriculture for mosquito control an incorrect

cross-reference in the relating to mosquito

control.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article — Agriculture

Section 5-405(b)

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1974 Volume and 1977 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF