BLAIR LEE III, Acting Governor

2107

evaluation unit.

BY adding to

Article 59 - Mental Hygiene

Section 3(e-1) (n),

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1972 Replacement Volume and 1977 Supplement)

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article 59 - Mental Hygiene

Section 11(b), and 12 (a) , and 15

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1972 Replacement Volume and 1977 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland
be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows:

Article 59 — Mental Hygiene

3.

As used in this article, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated unless a contrary meaning is clearly
intended from the context in which the term appears:

     (E-1) "GERIATRIC EVALUATION UNIT" MEANS A TEAM OF

PERSONS DESIGNATED BY THE SECRETARY. THIS TEAM OF PERSONS

SHALL HAVE THE REQUISITE QUALIFICATIONS TO PERFORM THE

DUTIES REQUIRED OF IT BY THIS ARTICLE.

(N)         "GERIATRIC EVALUATION UNIT" MEANS A

MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM DESIGNATED BY THE SECRETARY IN LOCAL
HEALTH DEPARTMENTS TO ASSESS THE NEEDS OF ELDERLY PERSONS IN
ORDER TO ASSIST SUCH PERSONS TO OBTAIN THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE
AND MOST APPROPRIATE RESOURCES ADEQUATE TO THEIR NEEDS.

11.

(b) (1) A person may not be admitted under the
provisions of this section unless his condition is such that
he is able to understand the nature of his request for
admission, is able to request his release, and is capable of
giving continuous assent to his retention by the facility.

(2) [On or after July 1, 1977, persons 65 years
of age and older may be involuntarily or voluntarily
admitted to a facility only if their admission is
recommended by a geriatric evaluation unit.]

(I) IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER PROVISION OF
THIS SUBSECTION, IF THE PERSON TO BE ADMITTED IS 65 YEARS OF

AGE OR OLDER, THE ADMISSION TO ANY VETERANS' ADMINISTRATION

PUBLIC HOSPITAL OR FACILITY UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS