2714                                             LAWS OF MARYLAND                                     Ch. 928

FOR the purpose of providing for a program of treatment for
compulsive gamblers; providing for a pilot project
center; providing for grants and funding; establishing
an advisory committee; providing for participation by

local jurisdictions; and generally relating to a

program for compulsive gamblers.

BY adding to

Article 43 - Health

Section 1K to be under the new subtitle "Compulsive

Gambling"
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1971 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be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows: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 43 - Health

COMPULSIVE GAMBLING

1K.

(A)

THE LEGISLATURE FINDS AND DECLARES:

(1)    THAT COMPULSIVE GAMBLING IS A SERIOUS
SOCIAL PROBLEM AND THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT AVAILABILITY OF
GAMBLING INCREASES THE RISK OF BECOMING A COMPULSIVE
GAMBLER; AND

(2)    THAT MARYLAND WITH ITS EXTENSIVE LEGALIZED
GAMBLING HAS AN OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE A PROGRAM OF TREATMENT
FOR THOSE PERSONS WHO BECOME ADDICTED TO GAMBLING TO THE
EXTENT THAT IT SERIOUSLY DISRUPTS LIVES AND FAMILIES.

(B) (1) "DEPARTMENT" MEANS THE STATE DEPARTMENT
HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE.

OF

(2) "SECRETARY" MEANS THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE.

SECRETARY OF THE

(3) "COMPULSIVE GAMBLER" MEANS A PERSON WHO IS
CHRONICALLY AND PROGRESSIVELY PREOCCUPIED WITH GAMBLING AND
THE URGE TO GAMBLE, WITH GAMBLING BEHAVIOR THAT COMPROMISES,
DISRUPTS, OR DAMAGES PERSONAL, FAMILY, OR VOCATIONAL
PURSUITS.

(C)         THE SECRETARY SHALL ESTABLISH AS A PILOT PROJECT

ONE CENTER FOR COMPULSIVE GAMBLERS IN A LOCATION ACCESSIBLE
TO A MAJOR POPULATION CENTER OF THE STATE AS DETERMINED BY
THE SECRETARY. THE SECRETARY MAY MAKE GRANTS FROM STATE AND
FEDERAL FUNDS OR ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS FOR THE USE OF THE
FUNDS TO ASSIST PUBLIC OR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE
ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF THE CENTER AND LOCAL