In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Board” means a citizens’ advisory board for a center. “Center” means a chronic disease center.

There are chronic disease centers in the State for individuals who: Need constant medical and nursing care by reason of chronic illness or infirmity; or Have a chronic disability amenable to rehabilitation. One center shall be located in each of the following places: The Eastern Shore; and The western part of this State. The Secretary also shall operate any other centers established by law and placed under the jurisdiction of the Secretary for the care of individuals who have chronic diseases.

The Secretary shall adopt rules and regulations that set: The services to be provided by centers; and The qualifications and standards for admission to and discharge from the centers.

Each center may: Establish any outpatient clinic for preadmission evaluation, aftercare, or other home health care service; Further medical knowledge by having a facility to explore new ways of treating problems peculiar to chronically ill and disabled individuals; Conduct any educational and training program to improve the knowledge and skills of physicians and ancillary professional, scientific, and other staff of the center and other treatment facilities and, thus, to improve a high standard of patient care; and Add a unit to treat chronic diseases of children.

Admission of an individual to a center shall be based on: The statement of a physician who, after an examination of the individual, finds that the individual needs care at a center; and The review and approval of an application for admission of the individual by the center. If an individual cannot be placed in a special facility in this State that can treat the condition of the individual, the individual may be admitted to a center. A center may not admit an individual who has: A mental disorder of the type that requires care in a mental health facility; or An orthopedic disease for which medical treatment is available in a special orthopedic hospital. The centers shall be operated primarily for residents of this State. A center may admit an individual who is not a resident of this State if: The individual is admitted and discharged in accordance with a specific regional health program or specific demonstration or study project approved by the Department; and This State is reimbursed for the full cost of services to the individual.

If the medical staff of a center determines that an individual cannot receive any further benefit at the center, the individual shall be discharged on the written order of a medical staff member. If, after a competent authority directs a discharged individual to leave the center, the individual fails to do so, the administrative head of the center may take any legal step needed to remove the individual from the center, under an adequate plan for treatment and care.

If this State is paying any of the costs of an individual at a center, the individual may be transferred to another facility that is approved under a federal program. If the individual refuses to apply for assistance from any applicable State, federal, or local program, the administrative head of the center or the designee of the administrative head may apply for the assistance and transfer the individual to another facility.

There is a citizens’ advisory board for each center.

Each board consists of 7 members appointed by the Governor. The Governor shall appoint the members from a list of qualified individuals submitted to the Governor by the Secretary. Each member of the board for a center: Shall be a citizen of this State; Shall be a resident of a county that the center serves; Shall be representative of the community; and Shall be known for an interest in civic and public affairs and for concern about the care of chronically ill individuals. The term of a member is 4 years. The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of each board on July 1, 1982. The terms of those members end as follows: 1 in 1983. 4 in 1984. 1 in 1985. 1 in 1986. At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies. 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. A member who serves 2 consecutive full 4-year terms may not be reappointed for 4 years after completion of those terms.

From among its members, each board shall elect a chairman and other officers that the board considers necessary. The manner of election of officers and their terms of office shall be as the board determines.

Each board shall meet at least 4 times a year, at the times and places that the board determines. A member of a board may not receive compensation.

Each board may adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of its meetings. Each board serves in an advisory capacity. Each board shall: Submit to the Secretary an annual report on: The needs of chronically ill individuals; and The extent to which its center meets these needs; Advise the administrative head of the center on its facilities, goals, programs, and policies; Help in evaluating the degree to which these goals are achieved; Review and make recommendations about the annual budget of the center; Assume leadership in developing community understanding of the needs of chronically ill individuals; and Carry out any other responsibility that the administrative head of the center requests.

Except with the approval of the administrative head of a center, a person other than an employee of the center may not bring any alcoholic beverage into any area of the center that is used by individuals under treatment in the center. An employee of the center may not: Drink any alcoholic beverage while on duty; or Give any alcoholic beverage to an individual who is under treatment in the center. A person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a penalty not exceeding $100 or imprisonment not exceeding 60 days or both.