Maryland § 7.5-903

§ 7.5-903.

    (a)    The Council consists of the following members:

        (1)    One member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate;

        (2)    One member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

        (3)    The Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health, or the Deputy Secretary’s designee;

        (4)    The Deputy Secretary for Health Care Financing, or the Deputy Secretary’s designee;

        (5)    The Attorney General, or the Attorney General’s designee;

        (6)    The Special Secretary of Overdose Response, or the Special Secretary’s designee;

        (7)    Three individuals appointed by the Governor:

            (i)    One of whom represents a community–based opioid treatment program;

            (ii)    One of whom represents a community–based substance use disorder and mental health treatment program; and

            (iii)    One of whom is a public health expert engaged in harm reduction services;

        (8)    Three individuals appointed by the Secretary:

            (i)    One of whom is an individual in recovery from a substance use disorder;

            (ii)    One of whom is a family member of an individual who has experienced an overdose; and

            (iii)    One of whom is an individual disproportionately impacted by substance use disorders and disparities in access to care;

        (9)    One individual designated by the Executive Director of the Maryland Association of Counties; and

        (10)    One individual designated by the Executive Director of the Maryland Municipal League.

    (b)    Members appointed by the Governor and by the Secretary under subsection (a) of this section shall, to the extent practicable:

        (1)    Reflect the geographic regions of the State;

        (2)    Be representative of at–risk populations; and

        (3)    Reflect the ethnic, gender, and cultural diversity of the State.

    (c)    The Council shall designate a chair from among the membership of the Council.

    (d)    (1)    (i)    The term of a member appointed by the Governor or the Secretary under subsection (a) of this section is 2 years.

            (ii)    The terms of the members appointed by the Governor and the Secretary under subsection (a) of this section are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Council on October 1, 2022.

            (iii)    At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

            (iv)    A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

        (2)    A member appointed by the Governor or the Secretary under subsection (a) of this section may serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms.

        (3)    Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subsection, all members serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

    (e)    A member of the Council:

        (1)    May not receive compensation as a member of the Council; but

        (2)    Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.

    (f)    Subject to § 7.5–904(c) of this subtitle, with the consent of the Council, the chair may designate additional individuals with relevant expertise to serve on a committee of the Council in an advisory capacity.