Ch. 281                                    2004 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(2) IN THE CASE OF A MEDICALLY FRAGILE CHILD, THE SUBSIDY SHALL:

(I) BE REVIEWED AND ADJUSTED ANNUALLY TO MEET THE
CHILD'S NEEDS, WITH A MAXIMUM OF $10,000 PER MONTH; AND

(II) CONTINUE AFTER THE CHILD TURNS 21 YEARS OLD, UNTIL THE
INDIVIDUAL NO LONGER REQUIRES SERVICES.

[(2)] (3) A subsidy agreement shall include a notice of the annual
reapplication requirement.

(a)     The Governor's Office for Individuals with Disabilities, or any successor
organization, with the assistance of the Department of Human Resources and the
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, shall study the placement of medically
fragile children in Maryland.

(b)     The study shall determine:

(1)     the total number of medically fragile children in therapeutic foster
care out-of-home care;

(2)     the number of families who have given up custody of medically fragile
children;

(3)     the total number of medically fragile children who have been adopted
and are receiving State assistance;

(4)     the total number of unsubsidized medically fragile children in
Maryland;

(5)     the number of families willing to adopt a medically fragile child if
ongoing support were available after the child turns 21 years of age;

(6)     the cost of providing services and equipment to medically fragile
children;

(7)     alternatives to address permanency planning for medically fragile
children in therapeutic foster care out-of-home care; and

(8)     any other actions that the State can take to prevent the
institutionalization of medically fragile children after the age of 21.

(c)     The Governor's Office of Individuals with Disabilities, or any successor
organization, shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and.
subject to § 2-1246 of the State Government Article, to the Senate Finance
Committee and the House Judiciary Committee on or before December 1, 2004.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 2004 July 1, 2004.

Approved May 11, 2004.

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