PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor                             S.B. 609

10-1203.

(a)     To the extent resources are available, the Secretary, after consultation with

the Maryland Advisory Council on Mental Hygiene as established in Subtitle 3 of this title
and federal requirements mandated under P.L. 99-660, may initiate the development of
core service agencies as a mechanism for community planning, management, and
financing of mental health services.

(b)     When core service agencies are initiated, the Secretary shall:

(1)     Define the priority populations to be served by the core service agencies,
with a special emphasis on the provision of services to the seriously mentally ill
populations;

(2)     Define the essential mental health and associated support services to be
provided under the auspices of the core service agencies;

(3)     Define the essential administrative functions to be carried out by core
service agencies; and

(4)     Outline the requirements for the core service agencies' governance
structure.

(c)     To assure the continuing provision of appropriate services, the Secretary shall:

(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

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