Ch. 417

1993 LAWS OF MARYLAND

                     (II) "CHANGE THE USE, PURPOSE, OR FUNCTION" DOES NOT MEAN

A GRADUAL CHANGE IN CLIENTS, INMATES, OR ACTIVITIES DUE TO SOCIETAL
TRENDS OR NEEDS.

(3)     (I) "PUBLIC HEARING" MEANS AN INFORMATIONAL HEARING,
THE SOLE PURPOSE OF WHICH IS TO OBTAIN PUBLIC COMMENT AND ANSWER
PUBLIC QUESTIONS.                                                                                           

(II) "PUBLIC HEARING" DOES NOT MEAN A CONTESTED CASE
HEARING UNDER TITLE 10, SUBTITLE 2 OF THIS ARTICLE.

(4)     "STATE FACILITY" MEANS A FACILITY THAT IS OWNED, LEASED, OR
OPERATED BY THE STATE FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING HEALTH, JUVENILE, OR
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES TO CLIENTS OR INMATES.

(A)     (B) A PRINCIPAL DEPARTMENT OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THE
STATE GOVERNMENT MAY NOT CHANGE THE USE, PURPOSE, OR FUNCTION OF A
STATE FACILITY WITHOUT GIVING NOTICE AS REQUIRED IN SUBSECTION (B) (C) OF
THIS SECTION.

(B)     (C) (1) BEFORE A PRINCIPAL DEPARTMENT CHANGES THE USE,
PURPOSE, OR FUNCTION OF A STATE FACILITY, THE PRINCIPAL DEPARTMENT SHALL
HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED CHANGE.

(2) THE PRINCIPAL DEPARTMENT SHALL GIVE NOTICE OF THE
PROPOSED CHANGE AND THE HEARING:

(I)      TO THE PUBLIC, BY PUBLICATION ONCE A WEEK FOR 2
CONSECUTIVE WEEKS BEFORE THE HEARING IN A REGULARLY PUBLISHED
NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION IN ANY COUNTY THAT MAY BE AFFECTED
BY THE CHANGE; AND

(II)     TO EACH MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN WHOSE
DISTRICT THE FACILITY IS LOCATED, BY CERTIFIED MAIL.

(D) (1) BEFORE A PRINCIPAL DEPARTMENT LEASES OR PURCHASES LAND,
BUILDINGS, OR OFFICE SPACE, THE PRINCIPAL DEPARTMENT SHALL GIVE WRITTEN
NOTICE OF THE PROPOSED USE OF THE LAND, BUILDINGS, OR OFFICE SPACE TO
EACH MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN WHOSE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT THE
PROPERTY IS LOCATED.

(2) (I) A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY REQUEST THAT
THE DEPARTMENT HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED USE.

(II)     THE DEPARTMENT ON WHOSE BEHALF THE PROPERTY IS BEING
PROCURED OR LEASED SHALL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED USE
UPON THE REQUEST OF A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(III)   THE DEPARTMENT SHALL GIVE NOTICE OF THE HEARING TO
THE PUBLIC AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (C)(2)(I) OF THIS SECTION.

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