Maryland § 7-102

§ 7-102.

    To advance the public interest, it is the policy of this State:

        (1)    To promote, protect, and preserve the human dignity, constitutional rights and liberties, social well-being, and general welfare of individuals with developmental disability in this State;

        (2)    To encourage the full development of the ability and potential of each individual with developmental disability in this State, no matter how severe the individual’s disability;

        (3)    To promote the economic security, standard of living, and meaningful employment of individuals with developmental disability;

        (4)    To foster the integration of individuals with developmental disability into the ordinary life of the communities where these individuals live;

        (5)    To support and provide resources to operate community services to sustain individuals with developmental disability in the community, rather than in institutions;

        (6)    To require the Administration to designate sufficient resources to foster and strengthen a permanent comprehensive system of community programming for individuals with developmental disability as an alternative to institutional care;

        (7)    To recognize the right of those individuals with developmental disability who need residential services to live in surroundings as normal as possible and to provide adequate facilities for this purpose;

        (8)    To provide appropriate social and protective services for those individuals with developmental disability who are unable to manage their own affairs with ordinary prudence;

        (9)    To protect the rights of parents and to help parents and guardians in planning for and assisting those individuals with developmental disability who are unable to manage their own affairs;

        (10)    To promote and provide for the development, maintenance, and coordination of all programs for individuals with developmental disability;

        (11)    To advance research and professional training related to developmental disability; and

        (12)    To promote public understanding of these policies and programs provided in this title.