Maryland Health - General Section 10-520

      (a)      Within 60 days after an application for a license is received, the Secretary shall:

            (1)      Have an investigation made of the application; and

            (2)      Give the governing body for the county where the private group home is to be located notice of:

                  (i)      The filing of the application; and

                  (ii)      The findings of the investigation.

      (b)      (1)      Within 60 days after the application is received, the Secretary shall hold a public information hearing on the application.

            (2)      The Secretary shall hold the public information hearing in the county where the private group home is to be located and as close as possible to the proposed location.

      (c)      (1)      The Secretary shall publish a notice of the hearing.

            (2)      The notice shall state:

                  (i)      The name of the applicant;

                  (ii)      The type of license that is sought;

                  (iii)      The location of the proposed private group home; and

                  (iv)      The time, place, and date that the Secretary sets for the hearing.

            (3)      The notice shall be published at least twice in 1 week:

                  (i)      In 2 newspapers published in the county where the private group home is to be located;

                  (ii)      If only 1 newspaper is published in that county, in that newspaper; or

                  (iii)      If a newspaper is not published in that county, in any newspaper with a substantial circulation in that county.

      (d)      The written report of the investigation of the application may be submitted to the Secretary or the Secretary's designee if:

            (1)      At least 10 working days before the hearing, a copy of the report:

                  (i)      Was sent to the applicant; and

                  (ii)      Was on file for public inspection; and

            (2)      The author of the report is available to answer questions from any person at the hearing.