WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                            Ch. 728

4-514.

The General Assembly finds that:

(1)      an increasing number of [battered spouses] VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE are forced to leave their homes to ensure their life, safety, and welfare;

(2)      [battered spouses] VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE and their
children often arc economically dependent on the [abusing spouse] ABUSER and have
no place to live outside the household; and

(3)      in the past, these [battered spouses] VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE have been ignored and, therefore, there is a lack of COUNSELING, SERVICE,
AND quality emergency public or private housing to provide a place to live for these
[battered spouses] VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE and their children.

4-515.

(a)      (1) The Secretary shall establish a program in the Department of Human
Resources to help [battered spouses] VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE and their
children.

(2) The purpose of the program is to provide for [battered spouses]
VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE and their children, in each region of this State:

(i)      temporary shelter or help in obtaining shelter;

(ii)     counseling;

(iii)    information;

(iv)    referral; and

(v)     rehabilitation.

(b)     As a part of the [battered spouse] DOMESTIC VIOLENCE program, there
shall be, in [a major population center] EACH REGION of this State, at least 1 [shelter]
PROGRAM serving the area [surrounding the shelter].

(c)      Any [shelter] PROGRAM established under this section shall be subject to the
following conditions:

(1)      the [shelter] PROGRAM shall provide [battered spouses] VICTIMS OF
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE and their children with a temporary home and necessary
counseling;

(2)      the Department of Human Resources shall:
(i) supervise the [shelter] PROGRAM:

(ii) set standards of care and admission policies;

(iii) monitor the operation of the [shelter] PROGRAM and annually
evaluate the effectiveness of the [shelter] PROGRAM; and

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