Ch. 709                                    1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(1)     Annually review and may approve the core service agencies' program
plan;

(2)     In conjunction with the appropriate authorities, establish and maintain a
funding mechanism for the core service agencies which may include the allocation of
funds for inpatient services;

(3)     Develop a mechanism whereby any unexpended funds remaining at the
end of the year shall remain with the core service agencies or the community providers;

(4)     Establish procedures to facilitate intraagency and interagency linkages
at State and local levels with the core service agencies; and

(5)     Establish procedures within the Mental Hygiene Administration for a
process regarding program, policy, or contract [dispute] DISPUTES THAT GIVES ALL
COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS REGULATED BY THE ADMINISTRATION
THE RIGHT TO:

(I) A HEARING BEFORE THE DIRECTOR; AND

(II) THE RIGHT TO APPEAL A DECISION OF THE DIRECTOR AS A
CONTESTED CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH TITLE 10, SUBTITLE 2 OF THE STATE
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE.

(I)      ACCESS THE MEDIATION PROCESS ESTABLISHED BY THE
ADMINISTRATION; AND

(II)    IF DISSATISFIED WITH THE OUTCOME OF THE MEDIATION BY
THE ADMINISTRATION, REQUEST A HEARING WITH THE OFFICE OF
ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS IN ACCORDANCE WITH TITLE 10, SUBTITLE 2 OF THE
STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE.

(d)     The Secretary [may] SHALL adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of
this subtitle.

(e)     If a core service agency violates any provision of this subtitle, the Secretary
may deny approval of the core service agency and, after written notification of denial of
approval, cease funding or request the return of unspent funds by the core service agency.

(f)     If a county elects to terminate its core service agency, the county may do so
upon 90 days' written notice to the Secretary.

(g)     The Secretary may not require a core service agency to provide services the
Department does not provide funding for.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 1997.

Approved May 22, 1997.

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