Ch. 556 .                                 1993 LAWS OF MARYLAND

3. The Secretary of Juvenile Services;
4. The Secretary of Budget and Fiscal Planning;
5. The State Superintendent of Schools; and
6. A representative of local education agencies.

(5)     The Special Secretary shall serve as chairperson of the Committee.

(6)     In developing the plan, the Committee shall consult with the following:

(i) Representatives from local planning entities designated under § 11 of
this article;

(ii) Representatives from each of the following:

1. Local governments;

2. Local departments of social services; and

3. Local health departments;

(iii) Parents of children with special needs;

(iv) Private residential and day services providers;

(v) Child advocacy organizations;

(vi) Former consumers of special needs services who are at least 18 years
of age;

(vii) A representative of the Health Resources Planning Commission; and

(viii) Any other person the Special Secretary deems necessary.

(F) THE SPECIAL SECRETARY FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES, THE
SECRETARIES OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE, HUMAN RESOURCES, JUVENILE
SERVICES, AND BUDGET AND FISCAL PLANNING, AND THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF
SCHOOLS SHALL IMPLEMENT THE PLAN DEVELOPED UNDER THIS SECTION.

38.

(a)     It is the policy of the State, with certain exceptions, to prevent the removal of a
child from the child's family for out-of-home placement without first providing the family with
family preservation services that would promote the integrity of the family and avoid
inappropriate out-of-home placements, which increase costs to the State and diminish the
ability of a parent to care adequately for the child.

(b)      (1) By January 1, 1993, the Special Secretary for Children, Youth, and Families,
the Secretaries of Health and Mental Hygiene, Human Resources, Juvenile Services, and
Budget and Fiscal Planning, and the State Superintendent of Schools shall develop a joint
plan for the provision of family preservation services.

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