May 26, 2004

The Honorable Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr.
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis, MD 21401

Dear Mr. President:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, I have today vetoed Senate Bill 785 - Continuing Care Facilities - Internal Grievance Procedure.

This bill requires a provider of continuing care to include a description of the facility's internal grievance procedure in the disclosure statement to potential subscribers. It requires a provider of continuing care to establish a specified internal grievance procedure, and provides for the components of the internal grievance procedure. It also requires continuing care agreements executed between providers and subscribers to state that there is an internal grievance procedure to investigate subscriber grievances.

House Bill 1001, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me on May 11, 2004, accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign Senate Bill 785.

Very truly yours,
Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.
Governor