# COMAR Title 07 — Department of Human Services

## Subtitle 01 — Office of the Secretary

### Chapter 11 — Buildings and Grounds of Local Departments of Social Services

**Authority:** Criminal Law Article, §4-208;Article 27, §578; Article 88A, §§2(b)(2) and 5(a); Annotated Code of Maryland

**Administrative History:** Effective date: July 31, 1995 (22:15 Md. R. 1118)

**Administrative History:** Chapter revised effective January 25, 1999 (26:2 Md. R. 105)

#### Regulation .01 Scope.

*COMAR 07.01.11.01*

The local departments of social services are agencies of the Department of Human Services and guided by COMAR 07.01.03.

#### Regulation .02 Definitions.

*COMAR 07.01.11.02*

A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

  (1) “Department” means the Department of Human Services.

  (2) “Local department” means the department of social services in a county or Baltimore City.

  (3) “Property” means buildings, improvements, or grounds owned or leased by the local department of social services.

  (4) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Human Services.

#### Regulation .03 Local Departments of Social Services.

*COMAR 07.01.11.03*

A. Local departments located in multiservice centers or in other settings under the jurisdiction of the Department of General Services shall comply with COMAR 04.05.01.02—.08 regarding the following:

  (1) Property access;

  (2) Prohibited conduct;

  (3) Distribution of handbills;

  (4) Vehicular traffic;

  (5) Controlled dangerous substances and alcoholic beverages;

  (6) Solicitation and debt collection; and

  (7) Demonstrations and rallies.

B. The local department director in a building not under the jurisdiction of the Department of General Services may declare an emergency situation after consulting with the Secretary, or, in the Secretary's absence, a deputy secretary or the Secretary's authorized designee.

C. Property or portions of it may be closed to the public during regular business hours in emergency situations:

  (1) Necessary for the orderly conduct of State business;

  (2) For safety; or

  (3) For security.

D. After regular business hours or during declared emergency situations:

  (1) Only authorized individuals who display identification documents upon request shall be admitted to the property; and

  (2) An individual on the property with no apparent business who refuses to leave may be arrested.

#### Regulation .04 Penalties.

*COMAR 07.01.11.04*

A. An individual who violates the regulations in this chapter and applicable laws may be prosecuted for trespassing or another applicable violation.

B. The regulations in this chapter may not be construed to abrogate any other federal, State, or local laws applicable to any area within the local department.