HARRY HUGHES, Governor

2339

Article 70B - Office on Aging

5.

(a) (1) The Director on Aging shall receive and
investigate complaints concerning the operations of related
institutions, as defined in § 556 (d) of Article 43, and he
may, on his own motion, make on-site visits to determine if
these institutions are in compliance with applicable laws,
rules, and regulations.

[(b)] (2) If the Director on Aging finds that any such
related institution is in violation of any statute, rule, or
regulation of any State agency which is directly and
specifically charged with the regulations of any aspect of
the institution, he or she shall immediately notify that
agency in writing of the findings of fact. If the violation
or condition is not corrected within a reasonable time, the
Director shall, with the prior approval of the Commission,
request the State agency to take the steps necessary to
bring the institution into compliance, and the agency shall
take appropriate action.

(B) (1) IN THIS SUBSECTION, THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE
THE MEANINGS INDICATED.

(2)  "NURSING HOME" MEANS RELATED INSTITUTION AS
DEFINED IN § 566(D) OF ARTICLE 43 COMPREHENSIVE CARE
FACILITIES AND EXTENDED CARE FACILITIES.

(3)  "UNCLAIMED DECEASED NURSING HOME RESIDENT"
MEANS A RESIDENT OF A NURSING HOME WHO HAS NOT PREARRANGED
AND PREPAID FOR THE DISPOSAL OF HIS BODY AND FOR WHOM NO
RELATIVE PERSON HAS CLAIMED THE BODY AND ASSUMED FUNERAL OR
BURIAL RESPONSIBILITY UPON THE DEATH OF THE RESIDENT.

(C)  THE DIRECTOR ON AGING SHALL SET GUIDELINES FOR
NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATORS WITH REGARD TO FUNERAL AND
BURIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR UNCLAIMED DECEASED NURSING HOME
RESIDENTS WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE ANATOMY BOARD. THE
GUIDELINES SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH § 159 OF ARTICLE 43 OF
THE CODE.

(D)  THE ADMINISTRATOR OF A NURSING HOME SHALL
IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE OFFICE ON AGING OF THE DEATH OF AN
UNCLAIMED DECEASED NURSING HOME RESIDENT AND SHALL OBTAIN
THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE OFFICE ON AGING FOR THE BURIAL AND
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THAT RESIDENT.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1981.

Approved May 19, 1981.