HARRY HUGHES, Governor                                     2877

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of
Maryland read as follows:

Article - Family Law

TITLE 14. ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES

SUBTITLE 1. DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS

14-101.

(A)  IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

(B)  "DISABLED PERSON" HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 13-101
(D) OF THE ESTATES AND TRUSTS ARTICLE.

(C)  "DIRECTOR" MEANS THE DIRECTOR OF THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT
OF SOCIAL SERVICES IN THE POLITICAL SUBDIVISION WHERE THE ADULT
REQUIRING PROTECTIVE SERVICES LIVES.

(D)  "REVIEW BOARD" MEANS THE DISABLED PERSON'S REVIEW
BOARD.

(E)  "SECRETARY" MEANS THE SECRETARY OF HUMAN RESOURCES.
14-102.

(A)   IT IS DECLARED THE POLICY OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND
THAT ADULTS WHO LACK THE PHYSICAL OR MENTAL CAPACITY TO CARE FOR
THEIR BASIC DAILY LIVING NEEDS SHALL HAVE ACCESS TO AND BE
PROVIDED WITH NEEDED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SUFFICIENT TO PROTECT
THEIR HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE.

(B)  TO IMPLEMENT THIS POLICY THE SECRETARY OF HUMAN
RESOURCES, WITH THE ADVICE OF THE STATE DIRECTOR ON AGING AND THE
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE, IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
ESTABLISHING AND SUPERVISING A PROGRAM OF ADULT PROTECTIVE
SERVICES TO BE ADMINISTERED BY EACH LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL
SERVICES.

(C)  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY INTENDS THAT THE PROVISIONS FOR
APPOINTMENT OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS AS GUARDIAN OF THE PERSON BE USED
SPARINGLY AND WITH UTMOST CAUTION AND ONLY IF AN ALTERNATIVE DOES
NOT EXIST.

SUBTITLE 2. ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES PROGRAM

14-201.

(A) THE SECRETARY OF HUMAN RESOURCES, WITH THE ADVICE OF
THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE AND THE STATE DIRECTOR
OF THE OFFICE ON AGING, SHALL DEVELOP, SUPERVISE, AND CAUSE EACH
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO IMPLEMENT A PROGRAM OF
PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOR DISABLED PERSONS AND OTHER ADULTS WHO