WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor

DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED PERSONS

WHEREAS, On October 4, 1975, the President of the United States
signed into law the Developmental Disabilities Assistance
and Bill of Rights Act of 1975 (Public Law 94-103),
providing for the protection of the rights of certain
persons who are disabled by conditions resulting in an
impairment of general intellectual functioning or adaptive
behavior; and

WHEREAS, Public Law 94-103 requires the State to develop a system
to protect and advocate the rights of persons with
developmental disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Public Law 94-103 requires that the State system,
through its implementing agency, be able to pursue
appropriate remedies for the protection and advocacy of the
rights of such persons who receive treatment or services in
the State, and also be independent of any agency which
provides treatment or services to such persons; and

WHEREAS, Public Law 94-103 requires the Governor to designate the
agency responsible for the implementation of the State
system; and

WHEREAS, In October, 1977, Governor Blair Lee III issued
Executive Order 01.01.1977.07 which designated the Maryland
Advocacy Unit for the Developmentally Disabled as the
official agency for purposes of Public Law 94-103; and

WHEREAS, In October, 1984, the Maryland Advocacy Unit for the
Developmentally Disabled changed its title to the Maryland
Disabilities Law Center, Inc., to reflect the expansion of
its program responsibilities;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, HARRY HUGHES, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF
MARYLAND, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME BY ARTICLE
II, SECTIONS 6(B) AND 24 OF THE MARYLAND CONSTITUTION, BY
ARTICLE 41, SECTION 15C, AND BY PUBLIC LAW 95-103, HEREBY
RESCIND EXECUTIVE ORDER 01.01.1977.07 AND ISSUE THE
FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE ORDER:

1. (a) The Maryland Disabilities Law Center, Inc., a
private, non-profit corporation incorporated under
Maryland law, is designated as the official agency,
for purposes of Public Law 94-103, responsible for
the implementation of the State system for the
protection and advocacy of the rights of the
developmentally disabled.

(b) The Maryland Disabilities Law Center, Inc.,
shall perform the functions, duties, and
responsibilities authorized to be performed or

3833