MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                        2739

VETOES

Titles and Messages

Senate Bill No. 19 - Mental Hygiene Examinations

AN ACT concerning

Mental Hygiene — Cost of Court Ordered Examinations

FOR the purpose of providing for the payment of the cost
of court ordered examinations; and generally
relating to mental examinations.

May 17, 1976.
Honorable Steny H. Hoyer
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis, Maryland 21404

Dear Mr. President:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the
Maryland Constitution, I have today vetoed Senate Bill
18.

This bill requires the State to assume the cost of
court ordered examinations conducted by the Mental
Hygiene Administration. At present, the counties are
billed for these costs.

The fiscal note prepared by the Department of Fiscal
Services indicates that the bill will cost the State over
$1.1 million in Fiscal Year 1977, rising to $1.5 million
in Fiscal Year 1981.

There are no funds in the State budget for Fiscal
Year 1977 from which to comply with this bill, and, based
upon existing revenue sources, I foresee no reasonable
possibility of providing sufficient funds next year. If
the General Assembly desires, as a matter of policy, to
relieve the subdivisions of this item of expense, it
should provide the revenue necessary for the State to
discharge the obligation.

For these reasons, I have vetoed Senate Bill 18.

Sincerely,

Marvin Mandel
Governor