1938

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 534

[709.

(a)  The Secretary, with the assistance and advice of
the Commissioner and a local correctional representative THE
COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD 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,
ADOPTION AND ENFORCEMENT.]

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
public hearing in the county in which one or more sites are
proposed.

(b) Each county is authorized to acquire, by lease,
purchase, or otherwise, including condemnation, facilities
and sites for facilities located in the county, for use as a
center. This authority includes the authority to construct
and renovate facilities on sites acquired by the county.
However, the county shall not exercise the authority granted
in this section unless the Secretary has determined that: