PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor

Ch. 670

WHEREAS, A study by the pretrial release program in Baltimore City estimated
that 70% of those arrested tested positive for drug use; and

WHEREAS, There is a 6-month waiting period in the State to receive drug
treatment; and

WHEREAS, Alcohol abuse and drug abuse treatment programs constitute a good
investment of public funds yielding a significant return; and

WHEREAS, The benefits of alcohol abuse and drug abuse treatment programs
justify the use of scarce public funds to pay for these programs; and

WHEREAS, The results of a landmark 1992 study in California of the effectiveness
and benefits of alcohol abuse and drug abuse treatment programs in California indicated
three major findings: (1) there is a $7 return for every dollar invested in these programs;
(2) criminal activities of individuals who have an alcohol or drug abuse dependence
significantly declined after the completion of treatment; and (3) significant improvements
in health and corresponding reductions in hospitalizations of individuals were found
during and after treatment; now, therefore,

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

Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings

3-820.

(e) (1) In making a disposition on a petition, the court may:

(i) Place the child on probation or under supervision in his own home
or in the custody or under the guardianship of a relative or other fit person, upon terms
the court deems appropriate;

(ii) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this subsection,
commit the child to the custody or under the guardianship of the Department of Juvenile
Justice, a local department of social services, the Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene, or a public or licensed private agency on terms that the court considers
appropriate to meet the priorities set forth in subsection (b) of this section, including
designation of the type of facility where the child is to bo accommodated, until custody or
guardianship is terminated with approval of the court or as required under § 3-825 of this
subtitle; or

(iii) Order the child, parents, guardian, or custodian of the child to
participate in rehabilitative services that arc in the best interest of the child and the
family.

(2) A child committed under paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection may not bo
accommodated in a facility that has reached budgeted capacity if a bed is available in
another comparable facility in the State, unless the placement to the facility that has
reached budgeted capacity has been recommended by the Department of Juvenile
Justice.

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