2314                                          LAWS OF MARYLAND                                      Ch. 637

(2) BEFORE ACQUIRING THE SITE, THE SECRETARY SHALL
GIVE THE GOVERNING BODY FOR THE COUNTY WHERE THE SITE IS LOCATED
AND THE COMMUNITY AROUND THE SITE NOTICE OF THE INTENTION OF THIS
STATE TO ACQUIRE AND IMPROVE THE SITE.

(B) EACH PUBLIC GROUP HOME THAT IS ACQUIRED UNDER THIS
SECTION SHALL BE OPERATED BY:

(1)  A PRIVATE, NONPROFIT PERSON, ON TERMS AND
CONDITIONS AS THE SECRETARY APPROVES; OR

(2)  THIS STATE AS A PROVIDER OF LAST RESORT ON AN
INTERIM BASIS UNTIL A SUITABLE PRIVATE OPERATOR CAN BE FOUND.

PART III. PRIVATE GROUP HOMES.

7-607.

THE SECRETARY SHALL ADOPT RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR ISSUING
CERTIFICATES OF APPROVAL FOR PRIVATE GROUP HOMES.

7-608.

IN ADDITION TO HOLDING A LICENSE REQUIRED BY § 7-901 OF THIS
TITLE UNDER SUBTITLE 9 OF THIS TITLE OR ANY OTHER LICENSE
REQUIRED BY LAW, A PERSON SHALL OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL
FROM THE SECRETARY BEFORE THE PERSON MAY ESTABLISH A PRIVATE
GROUP HOME.

7-609.

TO QUALIFY FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL, AN APPLICANT SHALL
SATISFY THE SECRETARY THAT:

(1)  THE PROPOSED PRIVATE GROUP HOME IS CONSISTENT
WITH THE STATE PLAN;

(2)  THE APPLICANT IS A PROPER PERSON TO RECEIVE A
CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL;

(3)  THE PROPOSED PRIVATE GROUP HOME IS APPROPRIATE
FOR THE STATED PURPOSE;

(4)  THE PROPOSED PRIVATE GROUP HOME MEETS OR, ON
COMPLETION, WILL MEET THE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS OF SUBTITLE 9 OF
THIS TITLE;

(5)  THE PROPOSED PRIVATE GROUP HOME MEETS OR, ON
COMPLETION, WILL MEET ALL OF THE GENERAL ZONING REQUIREMENTS THAT
APPLY TO THE SITE AND THAT RELATE TO:

(I)  THE HEIGHT AND SIZE OF ANY BUILDINGS THAT
ARE INVOLVED;

(II)  THE LAND THAT MAY BE COVERED OR OCCUPIED;