2578

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 677

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1979 Replacement Volume and 1980 Supplement)

Preamble

The General Assembly hereby finds that the availability
of respite care services is crucial to the continued
well-being of developmentally disabled children and adults,
their families, relatives, and their existing service
providers. The existence of respite care services,
temporary, scheduled care for developmentally disabled
children and adults, recognizes the right of a
developmentally disabled child to be raised in a family or
family-like environment. For developmentally disabled
adults, respite care allows and promotes greater
independence. For parents, guardians, and relatives of
developmentally disabled children and adults, respite care
provides trained relief, whether scheduled or on an
emergency basis, that allows a period of rest and renewal.
For professionals, respite care services provide a service
tailored to the needs of the developmentally disabled
individual that in turn prevents having to resort to more
costly service options such as State residential placement.

The General Assembly therefore finds that existing
respite care services need to be continued. In addition,
new respite care services must be developed to equalize the
availability of respite care throughout Maryland. Finally,
that respite care is an essential human service
appropriately provided through existing human service
programs; now, therefore,

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland
be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows:

Article 88A - Social Services Administration

RESPITE CARE FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED
PERSONS

128.

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

(B)  "RESPITE CARE" OR "RESPITE CARE SERVICES" MEANS
SHORT-TERM CARE, INCLUDING IN-HOME CARE, OF INDIVIDUALS WITH

PHYSICAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, INCLUDING THE

PROVISION OF TEMPORARY RELIEF OF THE INDIVIDUAL OR THE
INDIVIDUAL'S FAMILY, ON A PLANNED OR OUT-OF-HOME BASIS OR IN
A TIME OF CRISIS. RESPITE CARE SERVICES INCLUDE, BUT ARE
NOT LIMITED TO:

(1) IN HOME TEMPORARY CARE BY TRAINED PERSONNEL
ON AN HOUR BY HOUR BASIS; AND