Ch. 425                                    2004 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(B) THE STATE DISABILITIES PLAN SHALL ASSESS THE PROVISION OF AND
RESOURCES FOR SUPPORT SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

9-1117.

(A)     THE SECRETARY SHALL REVIEW THE STATE DISABILITIES PLAN
DEVELOPED BY THE BOARD IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 9-1116 OF THIS SUBTITLE.

(B)     THE SECRETARY MAY APPROVE OR AMEND THE STATE DISABILITIES PLAN
IF THE SECRETARY DETERMINES THAT THE STATE DISABILITIES PLAN DEVELOPED
BY THE BOARD IS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 9-1116 OF THIS SUBTITLE.

(C) THE SECRETARY SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE STATE
DISABILITIES PLAN AS APPROVED OR AS AMENDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION.

(D) THE SECRETARY SHALL SUBMIT AN ANNUAL ANALYSIS OF THE STATE'S
PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING THE STATE DISABILITIES PLAN AND RELATED
PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES TO THE GOVERNOR AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2-1246
OF THIS ARTICLE, TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1 OF EACH
YEAR

9-1116 9-1118.

THE DEPARTMENT SHALL OVERSEE AND ADMINISTER THE FOLLOWING
PROGRAMS:

(1)      CONSTITUENT SERVICES AND OMBUDSMEN PROGRAMS; AND

(2)      THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY GUARANTEED LOAN PROGRAM UNDER
ARTICLE 41, TITLE 14, SUBTITLE 9. OF THE CODE.

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That all employees of the
Governor's Office for Individuals with Disabilities whose positions are transferred to
the Department of Disabilities by this Act shall be so transferred on the effective date
of this Act without any diminution of their rights, benefits, or employment and
retirement status.

SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That except as otherwise
provided by law, all existing laws, rules and regulations, proposed rules and
regulations, standards and guidelines, policies, orders and other directives, forms,
plans, memberships, contracts, property, investigations, administrative and judicial
responsibilities, rights to sue and be sued, and all other duties and responsibilities
associated with the functions of the Governor's Office for Individuals with Disabilities
prior to the effective date of this Act shall continue in effect under the Department of
Disabilities until completed, withdrawn, canceled, modified, or otherwise changed
pursuant to law.

SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That all contracts,
agreements, grants, or other obligations entered into by the Governor's Office for
Individuals with Disabilities prior to July 1, 2004, are hereby declared to be valid,
legal, and binding obligations of the Department of Disabilities, enforceable in
accordance with their terms.

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