HARRY HUGHES, Governor

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559 AND WHICH IS ACCREDITED BY THE JOINT COMMISSION ON
ACCREDITATION OF HOSPITALS (JCAH).

(B) (1) THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION APPLY TO EVERY
ALCOHOL ABUSE FACILITY OPERATED IN THIS STATE, INCLUDING ANY
FACILITY OWNED OR OPERATED BY THIS STATE, ANY POLITICAL
SUBDIVISION OF THIS STATE, OR ANY OTHER ENTITY.

(2) THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION DO NOT APPLY

TO:

(I)  AN ORGANIZATION, SUCH AS ALCOHOLICS
ANONYMOUS, IF THE ORGANIZATION MERELY CONDUCTS MEETINGS TO
PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS WHO EXHIBIT THE EFFECTS OF
ALCOHOLISM OR ALCOHOL ABUSE;

(II)  A BUSINESS ENTITY THAT HAS AN
EMPLOYEES' ASSISTANCE PROGRAM; OR

(III)  ACTIVITIES OF THE AMERICAN COUNCIL

ON ALCOHOLISM, INC.

(C) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, A
PERSON MAY NOT OPERATE AN ALCOHOL ABUSE FACILITY UNLESS
CERTIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE
UNDER ARTICLE 43, §557A.

(D) (C) THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE
SHALL ADOPT RULES AND REGULATIONS TO SET STANDARDS FOR
CERTIFICATION OF ALCOHOL ABUSE FACILITIES.

Article 43- Health

556.

(d) (4) "RELATED INSTITUTIONS" INCLUDES AN ALCOHOL
ABUSE FACILITY THAT, UNDER ARTICLE 2C, §301A OF THE CODE,
OFFERS TREATMENT, CARE, AND REHABILITATION FOR INDIVIDUALS
EXHIBITING THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOLISM OR ALCOHOL ABUSE,
WHETHER OR NOT THE INDIVIDUALS FOR WHOM THESE SERVICES ARE
PROVIDED ARE EMPLOYED GAINFULLY.

557A.

(A) A FACILITY SHALL BE CERTIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE BEFORE THE PERSON MAY OPERATE A
RELATED INSTITUTION WHICH IS AN ALCOHOL ABUSE FACILITY IN
THIS STATE.

(B) (A) THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE

SHALL ADOPT RULES AND REGULATIONS TO CARRY OUT A

CERTIFICATION PROGRAM IN THIS STATE.

(B) HOWEVER, THE ALCOHOLISM CONTROL ADMINISTRATION
SHALL PRESENT THE PROPOSED RULES AND REGULATIONS TO THE
HOUSE ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS COMMITTEE AND THE SENATE FINANCE
COMMITTEE FOR THEIR REVIEW PRIOR TO THEIR SUBMISSION TO THE