Maryland Department of Human Resources Section 77

      On the death of any recipient, the total amount of assistance paid under this subtitle shall be allowed as a claim against the estate. The net amount realized from all such claims shall be divided between the State and the local subdivision in proportion to the amount of the assistance paid by each respectively; provided, that no such claim shall be enforced against any real estate of a recipient while it is occupied by the recipient's surviving spouse or dependents. All rights of recovery formerly granted under the provisions of the subtitle known as "Old Age Assistance", §§ 63 through 83 of this article, and provisions of the subtitle known as "Public Assistance to the Needy Blind", §§ 11 through 30, of Article 30, shall not be cancelled or diminished and shall remain in full force and effect.