Ch. 351

1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

[49.

The amount of assistance which shall be granted for any dependent child shall be
determined by the local units with due regard to the available resources and necessary
expenditures of the family and the conditions existing in each case and shall be sufficient,
when added to all other income and support available to the child, to provide such child
with a reasonable subsistence compatible with decency and health.]

[50.                                                                                                          

Application for assistance under this subtitle shall be made to the local unit in
which the dependent child resides. The application shall be made in the form and manner
prescribed by the State Department.]

[51.

Whenever a local unit receives a notification of the dependency of a child or an
application for assistance, a record shall promptly be made of the circumstances
establishing the dependency of the child and the facts supporting the application made.
under this subtitle, and such other information as may be required by the State
Department. Each local unit and the State Department and the officers and authorized
employees thereof shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations, conduct
examinations, subpoena witnesses, require the attendance of witnesses and the
production of books, records and papers, and may make application to the circuit court of
the county to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of such books,
records and papers.]

[52.                                                                                                                                                                                           

The local unit shall decide whether the child is eligible for assistance under the
provisions of this subtitle and determine, in accordance with the rules and regulations of
the State Department, the amount of such assistance and the date on which such
assistance shall begin. It shall make an award which shall be binding upon the county or
Baltimore City as the case may be, and be complied with until such an award is modified
or vacated. The local unit shall notify the applicant of its decision. Such assistance shall
be paid monthly to the applicant upon order of the local unit out of any funds available
for said purpose. Should the fund or funds available be insufficient to make payment in
accordance with the amount of assistance established to be needed, the State Department
shall, by rule and regulation, provide for a uniform method of adjusting individual
payments.]

[53.

If an application is not acted upon by the local unit within a reasonable time after
the filing of the application, or is denied in whole or in part, or if any award of assistance
is modified or cancelled under any provision of this subtitle, the applicant or recipient
may appeal to the State Department in the manner and form prescribed by the State
Department. The State Department shall, upon receipt of such an appeal, give the
applicant or recipient reasonable notice and opportunity for a fair hearing. The State
Department may also, upon its own motion, review any decision of a local unit, and may
consider any application upon which a decision has not been made by the local unit within
a reasonable time. The State Department may make such additional investigation as it

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