HARRY HUGHES, Governor

1.011

reference to the "community" is substituted for
the ambiguous phrase "their county of origin".
This substitution is based on the Mental
Retardation Administration's interpretation of
that former phrase.

In subsection (b)(2)(i) of this section, the
reference to the governing body of "each county"
is substituted for the reference to "the county
or counties comprising a region", since more than
one county would not have a "governing body".
Similarly, in subsection (c) of this section, the
former reference to a "multicounty region" is
deleted since the appropriate recipient cannot be
identified.

In subsection (b)(2)(v) of this section,
reference to "county" boards of education is
substituted for the reference to "local" boards,

for clarity.

Defined terms: "County" § 1-101
"Group home" § 19-604 "Secretary" § 1-101
"Nonretarded developmentally disabled
individual" § 19-604

19-607. SITE SELECTION BY COUNTIES.

(A) IN GENERAL.

(1)  IF THE SECRETARY CERTIFIES THAT A GROUP HOME
IS' NEEDED IN A COUNTY OR MULTICOUNTY REGION, THE COUNTY OR
THE COUNTIES IN THE REGION, IN CONSULTATION WITH LOCAL
CONSUMER GROUPS, PROMPTLY SHALL CHOOSE A SITE THAT MEETS THE
REQUIREMENTS OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS ADOPTED UNDER PART
II OF THIS SUBTITLE.

(2)  BEFORE SUBMITTING A PROPOSED SITE TO THE
SECRETARY, THE GOVERNING BODY FOR THE COUNTY WHERE THE SITE
IS LOCATED SHALL HOLD AT LEAST ONE PUBLIC HEARING IN THAT
COUNTY TO ASSURE THAT THE COMMUNITY WOULD ACCEPT THE GROUP
HOME.

.(B) COOPERATION OF SECRETARY.

THE SECRETARY SHALL COOPERATE WITH AND HELP THE COUNTY
OR COUNTIES TO CHOOSE A SUITABLE SITE.

(C) DEFAULT BY COUNTY.

IF, WITHIN 9 MONTHS AFTER THE SECRETARY CERTIFIES A
NEED FOR A GROUP HOME, A SUITABLE SITE IS NOT SUBMITTED TO
THE SECRETARY, THE SECRETARY SHALL DECLARE THE COUNTY OR
COUNTIES TO BE IN DEFAULT. HOWEVER, FOR GOOD CAUSE SHOWN,
THE SECRETARY MAY EXTEND THE 9-MONTH PERIOD FOR NOT MORE