<section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="14-101" title_number="14" title_name="Adult Protective Services" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions and General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Abuse” means the sustaining of any physical injury, psychological harm, or sexual abuse by a vulnerable adult as a result of cruel or inhumane treatment or as a result of a malicious act by an individual in a relationship of trust with the vulnerable adult.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Director” means the director of the local department in the county where the vulnerable adult lives.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Disabled person” has the meaning stated in § 13–101(e) of the Estates and Trusts Article.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Emergency” means any condition in which an individual is living that presents a substantial risk of death or immediate and serious physical harm to the individual or others.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Exploitation” means any action which involves the nonconsensual misuse of a vulnerable adult’s funds or property by an individual in a relationship of trust with the vulnerable adult.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>“Health practitioner” includes any person who is authorized to practice healing under the Health Occupations Article or, except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, § 13–516 of the Education Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Health practitioner does not include an emergency medical dispatcher, as defined in § 13–516 of the Education Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>“Human service worker” means any professional employee of any public or private health or social services agency or provider.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Human service worker” includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>any social worker; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>any caseworker.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>“Indicated” means a finding that it is more likely than not that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the individual is a vulnerable adult;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>abuse, neglect, self–neglect, or exploitation has occurred; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the individual is at risk of harm.</text> </level> </level> <level label="j"> <text>“Law enforcement agency” means a State, county, or municipal police department, bureau, or agency.</text> </level> <level label="k"> <text>Except as provided in §§ 14–201, 14–402, and 14–403 of this title, “local department” means the local department that has jurisdiction in the county:</text> <level label="1"> <text>where the vulnerable adult lives;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>for purposes of a notice received under § 11–307 of the Corporations and Associations Article, where an individual who is at least 65 years old lives; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>where the abuse is alleged to have taken place.</text> </level> </level> <level label="l"> <text>“Local State’s Attorney” means the State’s Attorney for the county:</text> <level label="1"> <text>where the vulnerable adult lives; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>where the abuse is alleged to have taken place.</text> </level> </level> <level label="m"> <level label="1"> <text>“Neglect” means the willful deprivation of a vulnerable adult of adequate food, clothing, essential medical treatment or habilitative therapy, shelter, or supervision by an individual in a relationship of trust with the vulnerable adult.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Neglect” does not include the providing of nonmedical remedial care and treatment for the healing of injury or disease, with the consent of the vulnerable adult, recognized by State law instead of medical treatment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="n"> <text>“Not indicated” means a finding that it is more likely than not that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the individual is not a vulnerable adult;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>abuse, neglect, self–neglect, or exploitation has not occurred; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the individual is not at risk of harm.</text> </level> </level> <level label="o"> <text>“Police officer” means any State or local officer who is authorized to make arrests as part of the officer’s official duty.</text> </level> <level label="p"> <text>“Psychological harm” means the observable, identifiable, and substantial impairment of a vulnerable adult’s ability to function due to severe emotional distress caused by an intentional act or series of acts.</text> </level> <level label="q"> <level label="1"> <text>“Relationship of trust” means a relationship that includes a rational expectation that a relative, friend, household member, caregiver, or other person with whom a relationship exists should be relied on to protect the interests of a vulnerable adult or provide for the vulnerable adult’s care.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Relationship of trust” includes a relationship in which the rational expectation described in paragraph (1) of this subsection is based on an assumption of responsibility for care and protection of the vulnerable adult or on a legal or social convention.</text> </level> </level> <level label="r"> <text>“Review board” means the adult public guardianship review board.</text> </level> <level label="s"> <text>“Risk of harm” means the strong likelihood that an individual will imminently experience an event, condition, injury, or other outcome that is adverse or detrimental to the individual.</text> </level> <level label="t"> <text>“Secretary” means the Secretary of Human Services.</text> </level> <level label="u"> <text>“Self–neglect” means the inability of a vulnerable adult to provide the vulnerable adult with the services:</text> <level label="1"> <text>that are necessary for the vulnerable adult’s physical and mental health; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the absence of which impairs or threatens the vulnerable adult’s well–being.</text> </level> </level> <level label="v"> <level label="1"> <text>“Sexual abuse” means nonconsensual sexual interaction with a vulnerable adult.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Sexual abuse” includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>incest;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>rape;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>sexual offense in any degree; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>any other sexual conduct that is a crime.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="w"> <text>“Undetermined” means a finding that there is insufficient information to determine whether:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the individual is a vulnerable adult;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>abuse, neglect, self–neglect, or exploitation has occurred; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the individual is at risk of harm.</text> </level> </level> <level label="x"> <text>“Vulnerable adult” means an adult who lacks the physical or mental capacity to provide for the adult’s daily needs.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="14-102" title_number="14" title_name="Adult Protective Services" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions and General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>It is the policy of the State that adults who lack the physical or mental capacity to care for their basic daily living needs shall have access to and be provided with needed professional services sufficient to protect their health, safety, and welfare.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The General Assembly intends that the provisions for appointment of public officials as guardian of the person be used sparingly and with utmost caution and only if an alternative does not exist.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="14-103" title_number="14" title_name="Adult Protective Services" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions and General Provisions"> <text>This title does not apply to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the abuse of a patient in a mental health facility, under Title 10 of the Health – General Article;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the abuse of a patient in a facility for individuals with an intellectual disability under Title 7 of the Health – General Article;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the abuse of a patient in a nursing home under Title 19 of the Health – General Article; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the abuse of a patient in a hospital under Title 19 of the Health – General Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="14-104" title_number="14" title_name="Adult Protective Services" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions and General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>This title does not prevent any appropriation of additional funds by any county, including Baltimore City, for adult protective services.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The services provided under this title are supplementary to any services provided under the Older Americans Act.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="14-201" title_number="14" title_name="Adult Protective Services" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Adult Protective Services Program"> <text>To implement the policy set out in § 14–102 of this title, the Secretary, with the advice of the Secretary of Health and the Secretary of Aging, shall develop, supervise, and cause each local department to implement a program of protective services for disabled individuals and vulnerable adults.</text> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="14-202" title_number="14" title_name="Adult Protective Services" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Adult Protective Services Program"> <level label="a"> <text>The adult protective services program shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>intake and investigative services including, if appropriate, medical, social, and psychiatric evaluation;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>planning for the needs of the recipient of services;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>assistance to locate, apply for, and effectively use home care, day care, chore services, transportation, counseling, emergency arrangements, and other health and social services;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>cooperation with the courts, including provision of any necessary recommendations, reports, or petitions;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>counsel to represent any indigent recipient of services in any protective proceeding or any review board hearing conducted under Subtitle 3 or Subtitle 4 of this title, and assistance to locate, apply for, and effectively use other legal assistance;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>notification of and participation by the Secretary of Aging or the director of the local office on aging, as appropriate, as a party in any protective proceeding or review board hearing relating to an individual who is 65 years old or older; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>notification of the appropriate criminal or juvenile delinquency court if the program has information indicating that the interests of the person with a disability as a victim are not adequately protected in a case before the court.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>For adults 65 years old and over, the services of the protective services program shall be coordinated with the Department of Aging or the local office on aging as appropriate.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="14-203" title_number="14" title_name="Adult Protective Services" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Adult Protective Services Program"> <level label="a"> <text>The director may contract with any public or private organization to provide protective services.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The director may not contract with any other person to act as guardian of the person of a disabled individual.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="14-204" title_number="14" title_name="Adult Protective Services" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Adult Protective Services Program"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary shall establish a fee schedule based on financial ability to pay under which the individual who receives protective services, or the individual’s legally responsible relative shall reimburse the federal, State, or local government for the services provided.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An individual may not be charged a fee for protective services if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>federal law or federal regulations prohibit an income eligibility test for the protective service; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the recipient is eligible for continuing financial aid under:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the federal program of Supplemental Security Income;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the federal-State program of temporary cash assistance; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the State program of transitional emergency, medical, and housing assistance.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="14-205" title_number="14" title_name="Adult Protective Services" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Adult Protective Services Program"> <text>The adult protective services program shall be funded as provided in the State budget.</text> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="14-301" title_number="14" title_name="Adult Protective Services" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Investigation Provisions"> <text>The provisions of this subtitle do not limit the responsibility of a law enforcement agency to enforce the laws of this State or preclude a law enforcement agency from reporting and investigating alleged criminal conduct.</text> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="14-302" title_number="14" title_name="Adult Protective Services" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Investigation Provisions"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, notwithstanding any law on privileged communications, each health practitioner, police officer, or human service worker who contacts, examines, attends, or treats an alleged vulnerable adult, and who has reason to believe that the alleged vulnerable adult has been subjected to abuse, neglect, self–neglect, or exploitation shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>notify the local department; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if acting as a staff member of a hospital or public health agency, immediately notify and give all the information required by this section to the head of the institution or the designee of the head.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An ombudsman, as defined in § 10–901 of the Human Services Article, shall comply with 42 U.S.C. § 3058g(d)(2) and may not disclose the identity of a resident or complainant except as authorized under 42 U.S.C. § 3058g(d)(2).</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An individual who is required to make a report under subsection (a) of this section shall make the report as soon as possible:</text> <level label="1"> <text>by telephone;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>by direct communication;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>by entering information in an online reporting portal;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>in writing to the local department; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>by calling the statewide reporting hotline.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Any individual other than a health practitioner, human service worker, or police officer who has reason to believe that an alleged vulnerable adult has been subjected to abuse, neglect, self–neglect, or exploitation may file with the local department an oral or written report of the suspected abuse, neglect, self–neglect, or exploitation.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Insofar as is reasonably possible, an individual who makes a report under this section shall include in the report the following information:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the name, age, and home address of the alleged vulnerable adult;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the name and home address of the person responsible for the care of the alleged vulnerable adult;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the whereabouts of the alleged vulnerable adult;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the nature of the alleged vulnerable adult’s incapacity;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the nature and extent of the abuse, neglect, self–neglect, or exploitation of the alleged vulnerable adult, including evidence or information available to the reporter concerning previous injury possibly resulting from abuse, neglect, self–neglect, or exploitation; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>any other information that would help to determine:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the cause of the suspected abuse, neglect, self–neglect, or exploitation; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the identity of any individual responsible for the abuse, neglect, or exploitation.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="14-303" title_number="14" title_name="Adult Protective Services" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Investigation Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>To protect the welfare of the alleged vulnerable adult the local department shall begin a thorough investigation:</text> <level label="1"> <text>within 5 working days after the receipt of the report of suspected abuse, neglect, self–neglect, or exploitation; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>within 24 hours after the receipt of the report of suspected abuse, neglect, self–neglect, or exploitation if the report indicates that an emergency exists.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The investigation shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a determination of whether:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the individual is a vulnerable adult;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>there has been abuse, neglect, self–neglect, or exploitation; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the individual is at risk of harm; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if the individual is determined to be a vulnerable adult, to have suffered abuse, neglect, self–neglect, or exploitation, and to be at risk of harm:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a determination of the nature, extent, and cause of the abuse, neglect, self–neglect, or exploitation;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a determination of the identity of the person or persons responsible for the abuse, neglect, self–neglect, or exploitation;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>an evaluation of the home environment; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a determination of any other pertinent facts.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>On request by the local department, the local State’s Attorney or the appropriate law enforcement agency shall assist in the investigation.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>As appropriate, the local office on aging or the Department of Aging, local geriatric evaluation service, or any other public or private agency, including a fiduciary institution, providing services or care to the alleged vulnerable adult or whose information or expertise may be of assistance in assessing risk or planning services may assist in the investigation on the request by the local department.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>As appropriate in an investigation, the local department may request the assistance of a federal law enforcement officer, as defined in § 2–104 of the Criminal Procedure Article.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Any agencies set out in this subsection may jointly agree to cooperative arrangements for investigation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The local department shall complete an investigation and make an indicated, not indicated, or undetermined finding within 60 days.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Parties participating in an investigation may share pertinent client information relevant to the investigation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="14-304" title_number="14" title_name="Adult Protective Services" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Investigation Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>If, in the course of an investigation under § 14–303 of this subtitle, a representative of the local department believes that an emergency exists, the representative may contact the local law enforcement agency.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A police officer shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>accompany the representative; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if the police officer agrees that an emergency exists as described in § 13–709(a) of the Estates and Trusts Article, the officer shall ensure that the individual is transported to an appropriate health care facility under § 13–709(a) of the Estates and Trusts Article.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="14-305" title_number="14" title_name="Adult Protective Services" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Investigation Provisions"> <text>Based on the investigation under this subtitle, the local department shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>render or assist a vulnerable adult to receive the appropriate services in the best interests of the vulnerable adult under the program of adult protective services;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>as appropriate, involve the local office on aging;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>report to the appropriate local law enforcement agency any incident of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an alleged vulnerable adult where the possibility of a crime being committed against the alleged vulnerable adult is indicated by information provided in the initial report to the local department or by information obtained in the course of investigation; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>send to the local State’s Attorney and the appropriate local law enforcement agency a report of the investigation of any incident of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an alleged vulnerable adult which was or should have been reported to the appropriate local law enforcement agency under item (3) of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="14-307" title_number="14" title_name="Adult Protective Services" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Investigation Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>If after the investigation under this subtitle the director determines that the individual requires protective services, with the individual’s consent, the director shall provide the services.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If the individual is unwilling or unable to accept protective services voluntarily, the director may petition the court for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an emergency order for protective services under Title 13, Subtitle 7 of the Estates and Trusts Article;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the appointment of a guardian of the person under Title 13, Subtitle 7 of the Estates and Trusts Article; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the appointment of a guardian of the property under Title 13, Subtitle 2 of the Estates and Trusts Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The director shall submit with any petition filed under this section the findings of the investigation under § 14-303 of this subtitle, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an evaluation of the medical, psychiatric, and social factors that affect the individual’s condition; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a description of recommended services.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The director shall notify the Secretary of Aging or director of the local office on aging, as appropriate, of each guardianship proceeding that the director institutes under this subtitle that involves an individual who is 65 years old or older.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>If, as a result of a proceeding that the director institutes under this subtitle, the court appoints the director as guardian, the guardianship:</text> <level label="1"> <text>shall transfer automatically to each individual who becomes director, unless the court terminates the guardianship; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>may not be delegated to any other person.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="14-308" title_number="14" title_name="Adult Protective Services" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Investigation Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, the identity of any person who makes a report under § 14–302 of this subtitle shall be confidential.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The identity of a person who makes a report under § 14–302 of this subtitle may be disclosed if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the person consents;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the court orders the disclosure; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the disclosure occurs in accordance with § 1–201 of the Human Services Article.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="14-309" title_number="14" title_name="Adult Protective Services" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Investigation Provisions"> <text>Any person, including a fiduciary institution, who makes or participates in making a report under this subtitle or participates in an investigation or a judicial proceeding resulting from a report under this subtitle shall have the immunity from liability described under § 5–622 of the Courts Article.</text> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="14-401" title_number="14" title_name="Adult Protective Services" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Review Board"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, there shall be at least 1 review board in each county.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Two or more counties may agree to establish a single multicounty review board.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="14-402" title_number="14" title_name="Adult Protective Services" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Review Board"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Each review board consists of 8 members recruited and appointed:</text> <level label="i"> <text>by the county commissioners;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>in Baltimore City, by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>in any county that has a county executive, by the county executive with the advice and consent of the county council; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>if 2 or more counties have agreed to establish a multicounty review board, jointly by the appropriate officials of the counties served by the board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Of the 8 members:</text> <level label="i"> <text>1 shall be a professional representative of a local department;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <level label="1"> <text>In counties other than Charles County:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>1 shall be a physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, registered nurse, or physician who is not a psychiatrist; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>1 shall be a psychiatrist, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, or a professional with expertise in prescribing or oversight of mental health medications; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in Charles County:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>1 shall be a physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or physician who is not a psychiatrist; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>1 shall be a psychiatrist or physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner in the field of psychiatry;</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>1 shall be a representative of a local commission on aging;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>1 shall be a professional representative of a local nonprofit social service organization;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>1 shall be a lawyer;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>1 shall be a lay individual; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>1 shall be a professional in the field of disabilities or a person with a disability.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the term of a member is 3 years.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In Charles County, the term of a member is 4 years.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>At the end of a term, a member may serve for another term on appointment.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="14-403" title_number="14" title_name="Adult Protective Services" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Review Board"> <level label="a"> <text>A member of a review board:</text> <level label="1"> <text>may not receive compensation; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The local department shall provide the office space and personnel that the review board needs to perform its duties.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If 2 or more counties have agreed to establish a multicounty review board, the counties shall jointly designate the local department in one of the counties served by the review board to provide the office space and personnel that the review board needs to perform its duties.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="14-404" title_number="14" title_name="Adult Protective Services" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Review Board"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, at least every 6 months the review board shall review each guardianship that a public agency holds.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>At least once a year the review board shall review each guardianship that a public agency has held for more than 1 year.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>At least every 6 months the review board shall conduct a file review of each guardianship that a public agency has held for more than 1 year based on a written report to the board including the present place of residence and health status of the ward, the guardian’s plan for preserving and maintaining the future well–being of the ward, the need for continuation or cessation of the guardianship or for any plans in altering the powers of the guardian, and the most recent dates of visits by the guardian or the guardian’s designee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The review board may review a case more frequently if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the disabled individual, the disabled individual’s guardian, or the disabled individual’s attorney files a petition for review; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the review board, on its own motion, schedules a review.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Notwithstanding the provisions of § 13–708(b)(8) of the Estates and Trusts Article, each time that the review board reviews a guardianship, the review board shall recommend that the guardianship be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>continued;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>modified; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>terminated.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Notwithstanding that the review board recommends that a guardianship be continued, the court may order that the guardianship be modified or terminated.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The disabled individual shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>attend each review board hearing if the disabled individual is able to attend; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>be represented at each review board hearing by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the lawyer that the disabled individual chooses; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a lawyer who is appointed by the court.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Except for purposes of a judicial proceeding under this title, all records of the review board are confidential.</text> </level> </section>