WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor

(b)  (I) On or before January 1, 1988, and
thereafter as deemed appropriate by the Commission, all persons
and organizations which provide vocational rehabilitation
SERVICES under this article in the State of Maryland shall
register with the Commission using forms prescribed by the
Commission. [No compensation for vocational rehabilitation
provided by persons or organizations not registered with the
Commission as required by this subsection shall be payable under
subsection (c) of this section.]

(II) PERSONS AND ORGANIZATIONS NOT
REGISTERED WITH THE COMMISSION AS REQUIRED BY SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF
THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL NOT RECEIVE PAYMENT FOR PROVIDING VOCATIONAL
REHABILITATION SERVICES.

(c)  (I) When as the result of an injury, an
employee is disabled from performing work for which [he was]
previously qualified, [he] THE EMPLOYEE shall be entitled to
vocational rehabilitation SERVICES.

(II)  VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION TRAINING
SHALL NOT EXTEND FOR A PERIOD OF MORE THAN 24 MONTHS.

(III)  The employer and insurer shall pay
the expenses of the EMPLOYEE'S vocational ASSESSMENT AND
VOCATIONAL rehabilitation SERVICES.

(IV)  The Commission shall:

1.   [refer] REFER the employee to an
appropriate VOCATIONAL rehabilitation [evaluation agency for
evaluation of the practicability of, need for, and type of
training necessary and appropriate to render the employee fit for
a remunerative occupation. Vocational rehabilitation training
shall not extend for a period of more than 24 months.] PROVIDER;
AND

2.  OBTAIN FROM THE PROVIDER A VOCATIONAL
REHABILITATION PLAN THAT INCLUDES:

A.  A VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENT; AND

B.  RECOMMENDATIONS FOR VOCATIONAL
REHABILITATION SERVICES REASONABLY NECESSARY TO RETURN THE
INJURED EMPLOYEE TO SUITABLE GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT.

(d)  (I) The Commission, upon receiving [a
report from the rehabilitation evaluation agency] A VOCATIONAL
REHABILITATION PLAN FROM THE APPROPRIATE VOCATIONAL
REHABILITATION PROVIDER, shall promptly notify all parties of the
contents of the [report] PLAN.

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