WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor

May 25, 1989

The Honorable Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr.

President of the Senate

State House

Annapolis, Maryland 21401 .

Dear Mr. President:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland
Constitution, I have today vetoed Senate Bill 512.

This bill establishes a Court-Appointed Special Advocate Program
to be administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts,
through which trained volunteers will provide background
information on a child to make sure that the Court makes the
decision that is in the child's best interest and to ensure that
the child is provided appropriate case planning and services.

House Bill 126, which was passed by the General Assembly and
signed by me on May 25, 1989, accomplishes the same purpose.
Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign Senate Bill 512.

Sincerely,

William Donald Schaefer

Governor

Senate Bill No. 512

AN ACT concerning

Juvenile Causes - Court-Appointed Special Advocate Program

FOR the purpose of establishing a Court-Appointed Special
Advocate Program; specifying the purpose of the Program;
requiring the Program to be administered by the
Administrative Office of the Courts; requiring certain
annual reports; authorizing the Administrative Office of the
Courts to adopt rules governing the implementation and
operation of the Program; providing for the funding of the
Program; providing immunity from liability for certain
persons for certain acts or omissions; authorizing a court
to appoint a special advocate under certain circumstances;
providing a certain exception to the confidentiality of
court records; defining certain terms; and generally
relating to the Court-Appointed Special Advocate Program.

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