770

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 21

AS TO SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED BY A POLITICAL
SUBDIVISION OR GRANTEE, THE DEPARTMENT MAY DELEGATE TO THE
POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OR GRANTEE THE INVESTIGATION OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND THE DETERMINATION AMD COLLECTION OF
THE AMOUNT PAYABLE. HOWEVER, THE POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OR
GRANTEE SHALL FOLLOW EACH LAW AND EACH RULE AND REGULATION
OF THE DEPARTMENT THAT RELATES TO THE INVESTIGATION AND
DETERMINATION.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived
without substantive change from former Article
43, § 601(b)(2), (4), and the first sentences of
(1) and (3) and -- through incorporation by
reference -- former Article 59, § 39(b) and
former Article 59A, § 24(b).

In subsection (a) of" this section, the former,
erroneously limited, reference to a determination
of the ability of "the patient or his responsible

relatives" to pay is deleted. As is otherwise
clear from the context, the ability of other
persons "who legally may be chargeable" also is
an essential consideration. See, e.g., §
16-203(a)(2) of this subtitle. However, in
subsection (a)(2) of this section, the phrase "to
the extent that the recipient of services is
unable to pay" is added to clarify that an
investigation of chargeable persons is not
required if the recipient of services, in fact,
is able to pay.

Similarly, in subsection (c)(1) of this section,
the reference to "any chargeable person, and any
other person" is substituted for. "other persons,
whether or not related to the patient," for

clarity.

The second sentence of former Article 43, §
601(b)(3), which made a failure to obey a court
order punishable as contempt, is deleted as

unnecessary.

Defined terms: "Chargeable person" § 16-101
"Cost of care" § 16-101 "Department" § 1-101
"County" § 1-101 "Person" § 1-101
"Recipient of services" § 16-101

16-203. LIABILITY FOR PAYMENTS.

(A) IN GENERAL.

(1) THE COST OF CARE OF A RECIPIENT OF SERVICES
SHALL BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHARGES FOR
SERVICES SET UNDER § 16-201 OF THIS SUBTITLE.