HARRY HUGHES, Governor

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(B) THE SECRETARY MAY CONTRACT WITH A NONPUBLIC PERSON
TO OPERATE A GROUP HOME FOR NONRETARDED DEVELOPMENTALLY
DISABLED INDIVIDUALS THAT IS ACQUIRED UNDER THIS SECTION.

Part III. Public Group Homes FOR MENTALLY RETARDED
INDIVIDUALS.

7-3.17.

The General Assembly finds that:

(1)  There is a need for public group homes for
those mentally retarded individuals whose development would
be enhanced by living in an appropriate, community based,
public group home instead of a large State institution or
other similar public facility;

(2)  These community based, public group homes
are necessary components in meeting the residential needs of
mentally retarded individuals; and

(3)  To assure, as far as possible, that a
community will accept a public group home FOR MENTALLY
RETARDED INDIVIDUALS, the public group home should be
located:

government;
support; and

(i) After consultation with the local
(ii) With State financial and technical

(iii) In a manner consistent with the
principles of normalization and Statewide standards.

7-318.

(a)  The Secretary shall adopt appropriate rules and
regulations for establishing, licensing, and operating
public group homes FOR MENTALLY RETARDED INDIVIDUALS.

(b)  (1) These rules and regulations shall provide for
consideration of:

[(1)](I) The number of individuals who
inappropriately live in large State facilities but could be
served best in the community;

[(2)](II) Historic information;

[(3)] (III) Reasonable projections;

[(4)](IV) Availability of private group homes

FOR MENTALLY RETARDED INDIVIDUALS to meet the projected
need; and