Delegates back off Rosewood hospital closure

Members of Maryland?s House of Delegates backed off attempts to expedite the closure of the Rosewood Hospital Center, approving a bill that instead requests a yearlong study of the 200 employees and disabled residents at the facility and the future use of the Owings Mills campus.

Delegates Monday voted unanimously on a bill amended to remove all references to closing the facility or to reports of abuse and neglect that initiated the movement. Bill sponsor Del. James Hubbard, D-Prince George?s, said the changes came at the request of Gov. Martin O?Malley and give the center a year to fix problems.