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Council updates zoning language to match state mental‑health license for eating‑disorder facilities
Summary
The council passed an ordinance clarifying the county code term for eating-disorder treatment facilities to align with state licensing under COMAR for limited private inpatient facilities. The change is intended to remove confusion and facilitate establishment of licensed treatment facilities in the county.
Annapolis, Sept. 2 — The Anne Arundel County Council on Sept. 2 adopted a zoning ordinance clarifying the county code term for eating-disorder treatment facilities so it matches the state’s licensing framework for mental-health facilities.
Sponsor Councilmember Radbien said the change is a definitional clarification rather than a new use; Councilmember Fiedler and Ledbetter asked to be added as cosponsors. Administration staff indicated support. The ordinance passed by roll call vote 7-0.
Background provided by Kinley Bray, a local attorney: a prior special-exception approval existed for an eating-disorder treatment facility at 899 Cecil Avenue in Millersville, extended in previous years, and operators expressed confusion because state law does not use the specific label “eating disorder treatment facility.” Bray explained the relevant state licensing is the limited private inpatient facility license under COMAR (the Maryland Code of Regulations) that governs 24-hour inpatient mental-health evaluation and treatment but excludes individuals whose sole diagnosis is substance abuse, intellectual disability or dementia and excludes those who require involuntary acute hospital admission or are medically unstable. “Eating disorder treatment falls under that,” Bray said.
Ending The code change should make county regulations consistent with state licensing and assist operators and owners seeking to provide licensed eating-disorder services in the county.
