Ch. 758                                          LAWS OF MARYLAND

(b)  (1) A commitment under this section shall be for at
least 96 hours and not more than 6 weeks.

(2) Except during the first 96 hours after
commitment, the Secretary or a designee of the Secretary may
terminate the commitment if the Secretary or designee determines
that continued commitment:

(i) Is not in the best interest of the
individual; or

(ii) Does not serve any useful purpose.

(c)  Before an individual is released from commitment under
this section, the Secretary or designee shall give the nudge
that ordered commitment notice of the proposed date and time of
release.

Subtitle [5] 7. Voluntary Admissions FOR DRUG ABUSERS.

[9-501.] 8-701.

(a)  In accordance with the rules and regulations that the
Administration adopts, the administrative head of any certified
facility may admit as a patient any drug abuser who is suitable
for care and treatment if application for admission is made:

(1)  Voluntarily by the drug abuser; or

(2)  By a parent, guardian, or next of kin for an
unmarried minor in the legal custody of, or dependent on, the
parent, guardian, or next of kin.

(b)  If, after admission of a patient under this section,
the administrative head of the certified facility determines that
it is in the best interest of the patient, the facility may keep
the patient for not more than 30 days for care and treatment.

(c)  (1) Except during the first 10 days after admission
under this section, the administrative head of the certified
facility may discharge the patient if:

(i) The patient has recovered; or

(ii) The administrative head does not consider
the patient suitable for treatment in the certified facility.

(2) A discharge of an individual under this
subsection does not prevent the individual from petitioning for
commitment to the Administration.

SUBTITLE 7 8. PRIVILEGED INFORMATION

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