HARRY HUGHES, Governor

1927

(D) WHEN THE SECRETARY HAS ESTABLISHED THE NEED FOR A
CENTER, THE STATE SHALL PAY 100 PERCENT OF THE COST
ASSOCIATED WITH START-UP OF THE CENTER. THESE COSTS SHALL
BE DETERMINED BY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SECRETARY AND THE
COUNTY PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF ANY ACTIVITY RELATED TO
PLANNING," ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, OR RENOVATION OF THE
CENTER FOR WHICH THE COUNTY DESIRES REIMBURSEMENT THESE
COSTS MAY INCLUDE CONSULTATION FEES, PERSONNEL, EQUIPMENT,
INITIAL TRAINING COSTS FOR STAFF, AND ANY OTHER SERVICE
RELATED TO THE START-UP PHASE OF THE CENTER.

[709.

(a)  The Secretary, with the assistance and advice of
the Commissioner and a local correctional representative
from each county, shall develop and adopt minimum State
standards for centers. These standards shall include
criteria and guidelines for:

(1)  The siting of the centers;

(2)  The physical characteristics of the centers,
including design and layout;

(3)  Programs and staffing;

(4)  Screening procedures with respect to
placements in the centers;

(5)  Accounting, reporting, and accountability;
and

(6)  General program and management operations.

(b)  These standards shall be deemed to be rules and
regulations, and the Secretary shall comply with the
Administrative Procedure Act, the State Documents Law, and
other applicable laws in their development and adoption.]

709.

CENTERS SHALL MEET STANDARDS DEVELOPED BY THE MARYLAND
COMMISSION ON CORRECTIONAL STANDARDS AND ADOPTED BY THE
SECRETARY. FACILITY AUDITS TO INSURE COMPLIANCE SHALL BE
ACCOMPLISHED BY THE COMMISSION.

710.

(a) If the Secretary determines and certifies that
there is a present need for a center in a county or
multicounty region, the county or counties in the region
shall promptly inaugurate and pursue appropriate procedures
to select a suitable site for the center. The Secretary
shall cooperate with and assist the county or counties in
the selection of a site which will be consistent with the
standards adopted pursuant to § 709. Before selecting a
site, the county governing body shall hold at least one