HARRY HUGHES, Governor

1279

(A)  IN THIS SUBTITLE, THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE
MEANINGS INDICATED.

(B)  "HEARING IMPAIRED PERSON" MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL
WHOSE HEARING IMPAIRMENT IS SO SEVERE THAT THE INDIVIDUAL IS
IMPAIRED IN PROCESSING LINGUISTIC INFORMATION THROUGH
HEARING, WITH OR WITHOUT AMPLIFICATION.

(C)  "PROGRAM FACILITY" MEANS A PRIVATE OR EXISTING
STATE FACILITY IN WHICH THE SECRETARY ESTABLISHES A PILOT
PROGRAM TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE OUTPATIENT MENTAL HYGIENE
CARE AND TREATMENT FOR HEARING IMPAIRED CHILDREN, ADULTS,
AND THEIR FAMILIES.

71.

(A)  THE SECRETARY SHALL ESTABLISH AND EQUIP, WITHIN A
PRIVATE OR EXISTING STATE FACILITY A PILOT PROGRAM TO
PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM OF OUTPATIENT MENTAL HYGIENE
CARE AND TREATMENT FOR HEARING IMPAIRED CHILDREN, ADULTS,
AND THEIR FAMILIES.

(B)  THE PILOT PROGRAM SHALL BE LOCATED WITHIN THE
BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON CORRIDOR BECAUSE OF THE GREATER
CONCENTRATION OF HEARING IMPAIRED PERSONS RESIDING IN THAT
AREA.

(C) (1) THERE IS AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHICH SHALL BE
CONSULTED WITH REGARD TO THE GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
OF THE PROGRAM AND WHICH SHALL SERVE AS THE PROGRAM'S LINK
WITH THE HEARING IMPAIRED COMMUNITY.

(2)  THE COMMITTEE SHALL BE COMPOSED OF THREE
MEMBERS OF THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF HEARING
IMPAIRED, TWO DEAF DEAF, TWO HEARING IMPAIRED MENTAL HEALTH
PRACTITIONERS, TWO HEARING MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS, ONE
PARENT OF A DEAF HEARING IMPAIRED CHILD, ONE PERSON FROM THE
ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF MARYLAND
ASSOCIATION FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED CHILDREN, AND ONE TWO
PERSON PERSONS FROM THE FIELD OF DEAF EDUCATION.

(3)  THE SECRETARY SHALL APPOINT THE ADVISORY
COMMITTEE FROM RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE MARYLAND
ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE
DEAF, THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PARENTS OF THE DEAF,
THE MARYLAND SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF, THE ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL
ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF MARYLAND ASSOCIATION FOR THE HEARING
IMPAIRED ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF, THE
MARYLAND REGIONAL COUNCIL OF CHILD PSYCHIATRY, THE MARYLAND
CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS, THE
MARYLAND PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, AND THE MARYLAND STATE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

72.

IN CONSULTATION WITH THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THE
SECRETARY SHALL: