2091

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 734

PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS 23, 24, OR 27 OF THIS ARTICLE, MAY BE
RELEASED IF:

(1)   THE PATIENT, IF RELEASED, WOULD NOT
CONSTITUTE A DANGER TO HIMSELF OR TO THE SAFETY OF THE
PERSON OR PROPERTY OF ANOTHER; AND

(2)   THE PATIENT, IF RELEASED, COULD LIVE IN THE
COMMUNITY WITH APPROPRIATE ASSISTANCE AND PROTECTIVE
SERVICES AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE 88A, § 108 OF THE CODE.

IN EACH CASE THE DIRECTOR, HIS AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE, OR THE SUPERINTENDENT OF ANY FACILITY STATE

MENTAL HOSPITAL AFTER OBTAINING THE PATIENT'S WRITTEN

CONSENT SHALL:

(I) CERTIFY THAT A PERSON MEETS
REQUIREMENTS OF (C)(1) AND (2);

(II) CERTIFY THAT ARRANGEMENTS FOR

SUITABLE HOUSING AND AFTER CARE SERVICES HAVE BEEN MADE IN

COOPERATION WITH THE SERVICES PROVIDER AND IN ACCORDANCE

WITH THE PLAN REQUIRED BY SECTION 32B OF THIS ARTICLE;

(III) (II) NOTIFY THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL SERVICES IN THE COUNTY OF ORIGIN OF THE PATIENT OR
THE SERVICES PROVIDER, OR BOTH, AS APPROPRIATE; AND

(IV) (III) DISCHARGE THE PERSON WITHIN 2
WEEKS OF CERTIFICATION TO THE CARE OF THE PRINCIPAL PROVIDER
OF SERVICES.

(3)   A PATIENT MAY BE RELEASED ON A CONDITIONAL
BASIS UNDER THIS SUBSECTION. THIS RELEASE MAY BE ON ANY
BASIS AS TO DURATION, TREATMENT, OR CARE DEEMED REASONABLE
BY THE OFFICIAL APPROVING THE RELEASE.

(4) IN EACH CASE, UPON NOTIFICATION, THE LOCAL

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES IN THE COUNTY OF ORIGIN OF THE

PATIENT SHALL MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUITABLE HOUSING AND

AFTER-CARE SERVICES IN COOPERATION WITH THE DIRECTOR, HIS
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OR THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE STATE

MENTAL HOSPITAL AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PLAN REQUIRED BY

SECTION 32B OF THIS ARTICLE.

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1979.

Approved May 29, 1979.

CHAPTER 735
(House Bill 1450)