2260

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 636

(5) OTHER PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AGENCIES.

(C) THE PART OF THE STATE PLAN THAT RELATES TO THE NEED FOR
PUBLIC GROUP HOMES SHALL BE SENT TO EACH COUNTY.

7-605.

(A)  (1) IF THE SECRETARY CERTIFIES THAT A PUBLIC GROUP HOME
IS NEEDED IN A COUNTY OR MULTICOUNTY REGION, THE COUNTY OR
COUNTIES OF THE REGION, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE LOCAL CONSUMER
GROUPS, PROMPTLY SHALL CHOOSE A SITE THAT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS
OF THE STATE PLAN.

(2) BEFORE SUBMITTING A PROPOSED SITE TO THE
SECRETARY, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE COUNTY WHERE THE SITE IS
LOCATED SHALL HOLD AT LEAST 1 PUBLIC HEARING IN THAT COUNTY.

(B)  THE SECRETARY SHALL COOPERATE WITH AND HELP THE COUNTY
OR COUNTIES TO CHOOSE A SUITABLE SITE.

(C)  IF WITHIN 6 MONTHS AFTER THE SECRETARY CERTIFIES A NEED
FOR A PUBLIC GROUP HOME, A SUITABLE SITE IS NOT SUBMITTED TO THE
SECRETARY, THE SECRETARY SHALL DECLARE THE COUNTY OR COUNTIES TO
BE IN DEFAULT. HOWEVER, FOR GOOD CAUSE SHOWN, THE SECRETARY MAY
EXTEND THE 6-MONTH PERIOD NOT MORE THAN ANOTHER 3 MONTHS.

(D)  WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DEFAULT BY A COUNTY OR
COUNTIES, THE SECRETARY SHALL:

(1)  CHOOSE A SUITABLE SITE; AND

(2)  AFTER HOLDING A PUBLIC HEARING IN THE COUNTY
WHERE THE SITE IS LOCATED, RECOMMEND THE SITE TO THE BOARD OF
PUBLIC WORKS.

7-606.

(A) (1) IF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS APPROVES THE SITE THAT
HAS BEEN CHOSEN BY THE SECRETARY, ON A DEFAULT BY A COUNTY OR
COUNTIES, THIS STATE MAY:

(I)  ACQUIRE THE SITE BY LEASE OR PURCHASE,
CONDEMNATION, OR OTHERWISE;

(II)  RENOVATE A BUILDING OR BUILD A PUBLIC
GROUP HOME THAT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF:

1.  THE STATE PLAN;

2.  THE REGULATIONS ISSUED UNDER § 7-904
OF THIS TITLE RELATING TO COMMUNITY BASED RESIDENTIAL SERVICES;
AND

3.  THE PROGRAM ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
OF THE FEDERAL REGULATIONS (45 C.F.R. §§ 84.21 THROUGH 84.23).