4570

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 829

(D)  THE CORPORATION SHALL INSURE THAT GRANTS AND
CONTRACTS ARE MADE SO AS TO PROVIDE THE MOST STABLE,
ECONOMICAL AND EFFECTIVE DELIVERY OF LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND
THAT ELIGIBLE CLIENTS IN ALL AREAS OF THE STATE SHALL HAVE
ACCESS TO THOSE SERVICES. NO POLITICAL TEST OR POLITICAL
QUALIFICATION MAY BE USED IN SELECTING OR MONITORING ANY
GRANTEE OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THIS SUBTITLE.

(E)  THE CORPORATION SHALL ESTABLISH MAXIMUM INCOME
LEVELS FOR CLIENT ELIGIBILITY THAT ARE BASED ON THE
FINANCIAL INABILITY OF A CLIENT TO ENGAGE AND COMPENSATE
COMPETENT PRIVATE COUNSEL AND TO PROVIDE ALL OTHER NECESSARY
EXPENSES OF REPRESENTATION. IN NO EVENT MAY THE MAXIMUM
INCOME LEVELS FOR ELIGIBILITY BE SET BY THE CORPORATION AT A
LEVEL GREATER THAN 50 PERCENT OF THE MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME
FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND AS CERTIFIED ANNUALLY BY THE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
THESE MAXIMUM INCOME LEVELS, AND ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES
ESTABLISHED BY EACH GRANTEE TO IMPLEMENT THIS SECTION, SHALL
TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION:

(1)  THE SIZE OF THE CLIENT'S FAMILY;

(2)  COST OF LIVING VARIATIONS, INCLUDING
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN URBAN AND RURAL AREAS;

(3)  THE ASSETS AND INCOME OF THE CLIENT;

(4)  THE FIXED DEBTS AND MEDICAL EXPENSES OF THE
CLIENT; AND

(5)  OTHER FACTORS RELEVANT TO THE CLIENT'S
ABILITY TO PAY FOR THE LEGAL SERVICES THE CLIENT REQUIRES.

(F)  THE CORPORATION SHALL SEEK TO INSURE THE
MAINTENANCE OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF SERVICE AND
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS, THE PRESERVATION OF ATTORNEY-CLIENT
RELATIONSHIPS, AND THE PROTECTION OF THE INTEGRITY OF THE
ADVERSARY PROCESS FROM ANY IMPAIRMENT IN FURNISHING LEGAL
ASSISTANCE TO ELIGIBLE CLIENTS.

(G)  RECORDS AND REPORTS.

(1)  THE CORPORATION MAY REQUIRE FROM ANY GRANTEE
SUCH REPORTS AS IT DEEMS NECESSARY REGARDING ACTIVITIES
CARRIED OUT PURSUANT TO THIS SUBTITLE.

(2)  THE CORPORATION MAY PRESCRIBE THE KEEPING OF
RECORDS WITH RESPECT TO FUNDS PROVIDED, AND SHALL HAVE
ACCESS TO THESE RECORDS AT ALL REASONABLE TIMES FOR THE
PURPOSE OF INSURING COMPLIANCE WITH THE GRANT OR CONTRACT OR
THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS UPON WHICH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WAS
PROVIDED.