HARRY HUGHES, Governor                                         2483

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall
take effect July 1, 1984.

Approved May 15, 1984.

CHAPTER 429

(House Bill 610)

AN ACT concerning

Mentally Ill Individual's Rights - Protection

FOR the purpose of providing that the State designated protection
and advocacy agency shall have access to certain records
under certain circumstances; providing that the State
designated advocacy and protection agency shall interview an
individual whose rights have been allegedly violated under
certain circumstances; and generally relating to the
investigation of alleged violations of the rights of
mentally ill individuals in certain facilities in the State.

BY adding to

Article - Health - General
Section 10-701(e)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1982 Volume and 1983 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Health - General

10-701.

(E) (1) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, WHEN
THE STATE DESIGNATED PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY AGENCY FOR PERSONS
WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES HAS RECEIVED AND DOCUMENTED A
REQUEST FOR AN INVESTIGATION OF A POSSIBLE VIOLATION OF THE
RIGHTS OF AN INDIVIDUAL IN A FACILITY THAT IS OWNED AND OPERATED
BY THE DEPARTMENT OR UNDER CONTRACT TO THE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY UNDER THIS SUBTITLE, THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY AGENCY OR THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S DESIGNEE:

(1) SHALL HAVE ACCESS TO THE RECORDS OF THE

INDIVIDUAL WHOSE RIGHTS HAVE BEEN ALLEGEDLY VIOLATED UNDER THIS
SUBTITLE;