HARRY HUGHES, Governor                              2287

facility in certain circumstances; requiring the

Governor to include that cost in a certain budget;

expressing the intent of the General Assembly with

regard to the cost of renovating or building the

facility or facilities; leasing the facility to a

nongovernmental entity contracting for the care of the

children and setting the rate of reimbursement; and

generally relating to the establishment of in-state

facilities for children now sent out of State.

Study of Residential Facilities for Children

FOR the purpose of requiring the Governor to direct that
certain Departments undertake a study to determine the
feasibility of providing certain programs within the
State for children that are presently sent to
out—of—State facilities; requiring that a study be made
of existing residential facilities within the State to
determine if they can be renovated and the cost of
renovation, and also providing that the study consider
the cost of acquiring land and building a new facility
if necessary.

May 29, 1979

Honorable Benjamin L. Cardin
Speaker of the House of Delegates
State House
Annapolis, Maryland 21404

Dear Mr. Speaker:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the
Maryland Constitution, I have today vetoed House Bill 665.

House Bill 665 would enact an uncodified provision
requiring that the Governor direct the Secretary of Health
and Mental Hygiene, in conjunction with the Departments of
Education and Human Resources, to undertake a study to
determine the feasibility and cost of providing within
Maryland necessary programs and facilities for the
evaluation and treatment of those children who are presently
sent to residential facilities located outside Maryland.

I agree that a review of the placement of Maryland
children in out-of-State institutions is a worthwhile
endeavor. However, I do not believe it is necessary or
desirable to statutorily mandate this or any other study,
unless and until the General Assembly should find the
Executive not responsive to a Joint Resolution.
Consequently, I intend to accomplish the purpose of House
Bill 665 via an appropriate Executive Order.

requiring the Governor to include that cost in a

certain budget; requiring the Secretary of Health and

Mental Hygiene to determine the cost of building a