Maryland Health - General Section 7-605
§ 7-605.
  (a)   (1)   If the Secretary certifies that a public group home is needed in a county or multicounty region, the county or counties of the region, in consultation with the local consumer groups, promptly shall choose a site that meets the requirements of the State plan.
    (2)   Before submitting a proposed site to the Secretary, the governing body of the county where the site is located shall hold at least 1 public hearing in that county.
  (b)   The Secretary shall cooperate with and help the county or counties to choose a suitable site.
  (c)   If within 6 months after the Secretary certifies a need for a public group home, a suitable site is not submitted to the Secretary, the Secretary shall declare the county or counties to be in default. However, for good cause shown, the Secretary may extend the 6-month period not more than another 3 months.
  (d)   Within 3 months after the default by a county or counties, the Secretary shall:
    (1)   Choose a suitable site; and
    (2)   After holding a public hearing in the county where the site is located, recommend the site to the Board of Public Works.