PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor                            H.B. 958

Article - Health - General

Section 7-306.2, 8-207, and 15-130

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1994 Replacement Volume and 1994 Supplement)

Preamble

WHEREAS, To advance the public interest, Maryland law mandates that it is the
policy of this State to require the Developmental Disabilities Administration and the
Mental Hygiene Administration to designate sufficient resources to foster and strengthen
a permanent comprehensive system of community programming for individuals with
developmental and psychiatric disabilities; and

WHEREAS, The State of Maryland is transitioning its provision of care to
individuals with developmental and psychiatric disabilities from the State sector to the
private sector; and

WHEREAS, The State of Maryland supports the collaboration of efforts to move
toward long term solutions that will stabilize community programs that offer supports
and services to individuals with developmental and psychiatric disabilities; now, therefore,

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Health - General

7-306.2.

(A)     CONSISTENT WITH SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION. THE SECRETARY
SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS TO ADJUST ANNUALLY, FOR CHANGES IN THE COST OF
LIVING, THE INDIVIDUAL AGENCY REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR COMMUNITY
PROGRAMS THAT SERVE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

(B)     THE ADJUSTMENT SHALL:

(1)     BE AT LEAST EQUAL TO THE PERCENTAGE OF THE ANNUAL
INCREASE PROVIDED TO STATE EMPLOYEES IN THE STATE BUDGET;

(2)     BE APPLICABLE FOR THE ENTIRE FISCAL YEAR;

(3)     BE MADE BEGINNING WITH THE 4996 1997 FISCAL YEAR BASED ON
THE TOTAL ALLOCATION FOR COMMUNITY PROGRAMS FUNDED BY THE
ADMINISTRATION; AND

(4)     BE APPLIED TO ALL PROVIDERS OF COMMUNITY SERVICES FUNDED
BY THE ADMINISTRATION.

(C)     FUNDS ALLOCATED FOR COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS FOR
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS FUNDED BY THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL BE USED ONLY
FOR THE PURPOSE OF GRANTING COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS TO THOSE
PROGRAMS.

8-207.

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