364

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 21

(F)  SPOUSES.

IF IT IS FEASIBLE TO DO SO AND NOT MEDICALLY
CONTRAINDICATED, SPOUSES WHO ARE BOTH RESIDENTS OF THE
FACILITY SHALL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE A ROOM.

(G)  GRIEVANCES.

A MENTALLY RETARDED INDIVIDUAL ALONE OR WITH OTHER
INDIVIDUALS IS ENTITLED TO PRESENT ANY GRIEVANCE OR
RECOMMEND A CHANGE IN A POLICY OR SERVICE TO THE STAFF OR
ADMINISTRATIVE HEAD OF A FACILITY, THE ADMINISTRATION, OR
ANY OTHER PERSON, WITHOUT FEAR OF REPRISAL, RESTRAINT,
INTERFERENCE, COERCION, OR DISCRIMINATION.

(H) COMMUNICATIONS.

(1)  A MENTALLY RETARDED INDIVIDUAL SHALL HAVE
REASONABLE ACCESS TO A TELEPHONE.

(2)  SUBJECT TO ANY REASONABLE LIMITATION THAT A
FACILITY IMPOSES, A MENTALLY RETARDED INDIVIDUAL SHALL HAVE
AVAILABLE WRITING INSTRUMENTS, STATIONERY, AND POSTAGE AND
MAY USE THEM TO WRITE TO ANYONE.

(3)  THE CORRESPONDENCE OF A MENTALLY RETARDED
INDIVIDUAL SHALL BE SENT TO THE ADDRESSEE WITHOUT DELAY AND,
EXCEPT UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE ADDRESSEE, WITHOUT BEING
OPENED.

(4)  IF, FOR THE WELFARE OF A MENTALLY RETARDED
INDIVIDUAL, USE OF WRITING INSTRUMENTS WITHOUT ANOTHER
INDIVIDUAL PRESENT IS RESTRICTED, THE RESTRICTION SHALL BE:

(I)  SIGNED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE HEAD OF
THE FACILITY; AND

(II)  MADE A PERMANENT PART OF THE
INDIVIDUAL'S RECORD.

(I) VISITORS.

(1) A MENTALLY RETARDED INDIVIDUAL SHALL BE
ENTITLED TO RECEIVE VISITS:

(I)  FROM A LAWYER THAT THE INDIVIDUAL
CHOOSES;

(II)  FROM A CLERGYMAN THAT THE INDIVIDUAL
CHOOSES; AND

(III)  DURING REASONABLE VISITING HOURS
THAT THE FACILITY SETS, FROM ANY OTHER VISITOR.