WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor

S.B. 576

subdivision and the governing body of each qualifying municipality within the subdivision.
The subdivision may use the proceeds of the supplemental grant for expenditures for
police protection that are of benefit to all residents of the subdivision, both within or
outside of municipalities].

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
July 1, 1994 and shall be applicable to all fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 1994,
1995. contingent on the taking effect of Chapter __(S.B. ___/H.B.

______)(41r2416/41r1034) of the Acts of the General Assembly of 1994, and if Chapter

does not become effective, this Act shall be null and void without the necessity of
further action by the General Assembly.

May 26, 1994

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 576.

This bill would require that when the Department of Human Resources develops a
permanency plan for a child in foster care, the primary consideration must be for the
child's best interest; and would require a local department of social services to consider
certain factors, such as, the child's attachment and emotional ties to the child's natural
parents, siblings, and relatives; the length of time and attachment to current caregivers
and caregivers families; emotional, developmental, or educational harm; and harm from
remaining in State custody too long.

House Bill 619, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me on May 26,
1994, accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign Senate
Bill 576.

Sincerely,

William Donald Schaefer

Governor

Senate Bill No. 576

AN ACT concerning

Foster Care - Permanency Plan

FOR the purpose of clarifying that the best interests of the child be the primary
consideration in the development of permanency plans for children in foster care;
requiring a local department of social services to consider certain factors in
determining the best interests of a child in foster care; adding a certain type of

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