Ch. 593                                    1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

WHEREAS, The reimbursement rates for community-based services paid with
Maryland Medical Assistance Program funds and by the Developmental Disabilities
Administration and the Mental Hygiene Administration may no longer be sufficient to
pay competitive salaries to staff; and

WHEREAS, The State budget has not provided a cost-of-living adjustment for
community programs funded by the Developmental Disabilities Administration since FY
1989 and by the Mental Hygiene Administration since FY 1991; and

WHEREAS, The adequacy of reimbursement rates for these community-based
service providers has been an ongoing and unresolved issue for many years and there
remains the need to address the issue in a comprehensive, equitable, and objective
manner; now, therefore,

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

Article - Health - General

SUBTITLE 8. COMMUNITY SERVICES REIMBURSEMENT RATE COMMISSION.

13-801.

(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

(B) "COMMISSION" MEANS THE COMMUNITY SERVICES REIMBURSEMENT
RATE COMMISSION.

(C)     "PROVIDER" MEANS A COMMUNITY-BASED AGENCY OR PROGRAM
FUNDED:

(1)     BY THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ADMINISTRATION TO
SERVE INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES; OR

(2)     BY THE MENTAL HYGIENE ADMINISTRATION TO SERVE
INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL DISORDERS.

(D)    "RATE" MEANS THE REIMBURSEMENT RATE PAID BY THE DEPARTMENT
TO A PROVIDER FROM STATE GENERAL FUNDS, MARYLAND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM FUNDS, OTHER STATE OR FEDERAL FUNDS, OR A COMBINATION OF
THOSE FUNDS.

13-802.

(A)    THERE IS A COMMUNITY SERVICES REIMBURSEMENT RATE COMMISSION.

(B)     THE COMMISSION IS AN INDEPENDENT UNIT THAT FUNCTIONS IN THE
DEPARTMENT.

13-303.

(A) THE COMMISSION SHALL CONSIST OF SEVEN MEMBERS APPOINTED BY
THE GOVERNOR WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE

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