2942

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 430

7-2A-07.

(A) (1) IF THE SECRETARY CERTIFIES THAT A GROUP HOME
FOR NONRETARDED DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED INDIVIDUALS 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)  THE SECRETARY SHALL COOPERATE WITH AND HELP THE
COUNTY OR COUNTIES TO CHOOSE A SUITABLE SITE.

(C)  IF, WITHIN 9 MONTHS AFTER THE SECRETARY CERTIFIES
A NEED FOR A GROUP HOME FOR NONRETARDED DEVELOPMENTALLY
DISABLED INDIVIDUALS, 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
THAN ANOTHER 6 MONTHS.

(D)  WITHIN 6 MONTHS AFTER A DEFAULT BY A COUNTY OR
COUNTIES, THE SECRETARY SHALL:

(1)  CHOOSE A SUITABLE SITE; AND

(2)  AFTER HOLDING A PUBLIC HEARING IN THE COUNTY
WHERE THE SITE IS LOCATED, RECOMMEND THE SITE TO THE BOARD
OF PUBLIC WORKS.

7-2A-08.

(A) (1) IF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS APPROVES THE SITE
THAT HAS BEEN CHOSEN BY A COUNTY OR COUNTIES OR, ON DEFAULT,
BY THE SECRETARY, THIS STATE MAY:

(I)  ACQUIRE THE SITE BY LEASE, PURCHASE,
CONDEMNATION, OR OTHERWISE; AND

(II)  RENOVATE A BUILDING OR BUILD A GROUP
HOME FOR NONRETARDED DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED INDIVIDUALS
THAT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS
ADOPTED UNDER PART II OF THIS SUBTITLE.

(2) BEFORE ACQUIRING THE SITE, THE SECRETARY
SHALL GIVE THE GOVERNING BODY FOR THE COUNTY WHERE THE SITE
IS LOCATED AND THE COMMUNITY AROUND THE SITE NOTICE OF THE
INTENTION OF THIS STATE TO ACQUIRE AND IMPROVE THE SITE.