3338

VETOES

Section 128 and 129 to be under the new subtitle
"Respite Care for Handicapped Developmentally
Disabled Persons"

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 severely handicapped developmentally disabled
children and adults, their families, relatives, and their
existing service providers. The existence of respite care
services, temporary, scheduled care for severely handicapped
developmentally disabled children and adults, recognizes the
right of a handicapped developmentally disabled child to be
raised in a family or family-like environment. For severely
handicapped developmentally disabled adults, respite care
allows and promotes greater independence. For parents,

guardians, and relatives of severely handicapped

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 handicapped 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be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows: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 HANDICAPPED 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