Ch. 430                                    2004 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(2) UPON REQUEST BY THE DEPARTMENT, A NURSING FACILITY SHALL
PROVIDE VERIFICATION, IN A MANNER PRESCRIBED BY THE DEPARTMENT, OF:

(I) THE AMOUNT PAID BY THE NURSING HOME; AND

(II) THE NUMBER OF LICENSED BEDS UPON WHICH PAYMENT OF
THE ASSESSMENT WAS CALCULATED.

(D) IF A NURSING FACILITY FAILS TO PAY THE FULL ASSESSMENT DUE TO
THE COMPTROLLER IN A TIMELY FASHION, THE COMPTROLLER MAY IMPOSE A FINE
OF UP TO $1,000 PER DAY FOR EACH DAY THAT ALL OR PART OF THE PAYMENT IS
DELINQUENT.

(E) (1) IF A NURSING FACILITY CHANGES OWNERSHIP WITHOUT PAYING
ALL ASSESSMENTS DUE AND OWING UNDER THIS SECTION, THE NEW OWNER SHALL
ASSUME THE OBLIGATION TO PAY ALL ASSESSMENTS DUE AND OWING.

(2) THE DEPARTMENT MAY WAIVE THE REQUIRED ASSESSMENT IF THE
NEW OWNER DEMONSTRATES GOOD CAUSE.

(F) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ADOPT REGULATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THIS
SECTION.
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Department of
Health and Mental Hygiene shall submit a request to the federal Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services for permission to exclude continuing care facilities
from the definition of nursing facilities for purposes of the assessment under §
19-1416 of the Health—General Article, as enacted by Section 2 of this Act.

SECTION 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, notwithstanding any
other provision of law, the proceeds (net of the expenses directly related to the sale)
obtained from the sale of the vessel known as Maryland Independence shall be
deposited into the General Fund on or before June 30, 2004.

SECTION 7. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, notwithstanding any
other provision of law, if, between June 1. 2004 and June 30, 2005, executive branch
agencies dispose of passenger vehicles that are not essential to core business
functions, the proceeds of the sale (net of costs directly related to the sale) of excess
vehicles shall be deposited into the General Fund unless otherwise required by
federal law or regulation. This provision does not apply to vehicles that are necessary
to operations and for which replacement vehicles are required.

SECTION 8. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, notwithstanding the
provisions of § 8-204 of the Public Safety Article or any other provision of law, in
fiscal years 2005, 2006, and 2007, loan repayments from the Volunteer Company
Assistance Fund may be used for the purpose of providing grants to the Maryland
State Firemen's Association for administrative expenses and grants to widows and
orphans.

SECTION 9. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That:

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