Maryland Health - General Section 7-606

      (a)      (1)      If the Board of Public Works approves the site that has been chosen by the Secretary, on a default by a county or counties, this State may:

                  (i)      Acquire the site by lease or purchase, condemnation, or otherwise;

                  (ii)      Renovate a building or build a public group home that meets the requirements of:

                        1.      The State plan;

                        2.      The regulations issued under § 7-904 of this title relating to community-based residential services; and

                        3.      The program accessibility requirements of the federal regulations (45 C.F.R. §§ 84.21 through 84.23).

            (2)      Before acquiring the site, the Secretary shall give the governing body for the county where the site is located and the community around the site notice of the intention of this State to acquire and improve the site.

      (b)      Each public group home that is acquired under this section shall be operated by:

            (1)      A private, nonprofit person, on terms and conditions as the Secretary approves; or

            (2)      This State as a provider of last resort on an interim basis until a suitable private operator can be found.