HARRY HUGHES, Governor

2185

BY adding to

Article 88A - Social Services Administration

Section 138 through 143, inclusive, to be under the new

subtitle "Certified Adult Residential Environment

Program"
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1985 Replacement Volume)

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

Article 88A - Social Services Administration

CERTIFIED ADULT RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM

138.

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

(B)  "CARE PROGRAM" MEANS THE CERTIFIED ADULT RESIDENTIAL
ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM.

(C)  (1) "DISABLED INDIVIDUAL" MEANS AN ADULT WHO REQUIRES A
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING ARRANGEMENT IN ORDER TO RESIDE IN THE
COMMUNITY BECAUSE OF A PHYSICAL, MEDICAL, OR MENTAL DISABILITY.

(2) "DISABLED INDIVIDUAL" DOES NOT INCLUDE AN ADULT
WHOSE DISABILITY IS OF SUCH A SEVERITY OR COMPLEXITY AS TO
REQUIRE SPECIALIZED PROFESSIONAL INTERVENTION AS PART OF THE
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING ARRANGEMENT.

(D)  "SUPPORTIVE HOUSING ARRANGEMENT" MEANS A HOUSING
ARRANGEMENT THAT PROVIDES AN INDIVIDUAL WITH ROOM, BOARD, AND
ASSISTANCE WITH THE ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING.

139.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS AND DECLARES THAT:

(1)  AN INCREASING NUMBER OF ADULTS IN THE STATE ARE
UNABLE, BECAUSE OF DISABILITY, TO RESIDE IN THE COMMUNITY WITHOUT
A SUPPORTIVE HOUSING ARRANGEMENT;

(2)  MANY OF THE ADULTS ARE THEREFORE HOMELESS,
UNNECESSARILY INSTITUTIONALIZED, OR RESIDING IN SUBSTANDARD
HOUSING;

(3)  CURRENT STATE-OPERATED PROGRAMS DO NOT ADEQUATELY
ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM; AND

(4)  IT IS THE POLICY OF THIS STATE TO ENCOURAGE THE
DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR ADULTS WHO ARE UNABLE TO