2574

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 473

contract of these services at the Regional Institute in
Montgomery County.

(ii) If the local educational agency declines
to contract, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene may
operate an education program directly or contract with another
qualified provider.

(4)  Until a separate program is established for each
county, children from Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary's counties
may be served by the Regional Institute in Prince George's
County.

(5)  The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene shall
establish guidelines in cooperation with the local board of
education for the operation of the Regional Institute for
Children and Adolescents in Prince George's County.

10-406.1.

(A)  THE REGIONAL INSTITUTES FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN
BALTIMORE, MONTGOMERY, AND PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTIES SHALL BE
COMPARABLE IN PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES BY JULY 1, 1986 1989.

(B)  THE FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS OF AN INSTITUTE MAY NOT BE
REDUCED TO ACHIEVE COMPARABILITY.

(C) IN NO EVENT SHALL THE LEVEL OF STATE FUNDING PROVIDED
OR NUMBER OF POSITIONS AUTHORIZED TO ANY REGIONAL INSTITUTE FOR
CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS BE REDUCED IN ORDER TO ATTAIN
COMPARABILITY.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Secretary of
the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene shall report on the
progress toward comparability to the Governor and, subject to §
2-1312 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly
on January 1, 1985 and January 1, 1986. A final report on the
achievement of comparability shall be issued to the Governor and,
subject to § 2-1312 of the State Government Article, to the
General Assembly on July 1, 1986 1989.

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall
take effect July 1, 1984.

Approved May 15, 1984.