# Subtitle 20 – Baltimore City Commission for Women

Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.

## § 20-1 Commission established.

Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 20-1 (2026)

(a) There is a Baltimore City Commission for Women.

(b)

  (1) The Commission comprises 19 voting members, to be appointed by the Mayor in accordance with <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter" data-path="IV|§6">Article IV, § 6 of the City Charter</cite>.

  (2)

    (i) The Mayor may appoint 1 or more members of the Baltimore City Council or the Baltimore City delegation to the Maryland General Assembly as additional, non-voting members of the Commission.

    (ii) Notwithstanding subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, any female member of the City Council shall be an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Commission.

    (iii) The Mayor shall appoint a representative from the Baltimore City Office of Equity and Civil Rights or its successor agency to be a non-voting member of the Commission.

(c) The appointment of members must be made without regard to political affiliation.

*History: Ord. 83-955*

*History: Ord. 06-359*

*History: Ord. 18-119*

*History: Ord. 21-016*

## § 20-2 Terms, compensation, vacancies.

Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 20-2 (2026)

(a)

  (1) Members serve for a term of 4 years, concurrent with the terms of the Mayor and the City Council.

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

(b) The members of the Commission:

  (1) serve without compensation; but

  (2) are entitled to reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, as provided in the Ordinance of Estimates.

(c) A member appointed to fill a vacancy in an unexpired term or to succeed a member who is holding over serves only for the remainder of that term.

*History: Ord. 83-955*

*History: Ord. 99-526*

*History: Ord. 06-359*

*History: Ord. 16-503*

## § 20-3 Officers; committees.

Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 20-3 (2026)

(a)

  (1) The Mayor shall designate a member of the Commission to serve as its Chair.

  (2) Members of the Commission may select any other officers they consider necessary or appropriate.

(b) The Chair may appoint committees to assist the Commission in carrying out its functions and duties.

*History: Ord. 83-955*

*History: Ord. 06-359*

## § 20-4 Meetings; quorum.

Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 20-4 (2026)

(a)

  (1) The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chair as frequently as required to perform its duties.

  (2) A majority of the voting members of the Commission constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.

  (3) An affirmative vote by the majority of a quorum is needed for any official action.

(b) The Commission may adopt rules of procedure to govern its meetings and procedures.

(c) If any member is absent from regularly scheduled meetings more than 3 times in 1 year, not counting absences excused by the Chair:

  (1) the member is considered to have resigned; and

  (2) the Chair shall request that member’s appointing authority to fill the resultant vacancy.

*History: Ord. 83-955*

*History: Ord. 06-359*

*History: Ord. 18-119*

## § 20-5 Personnel; budget.

Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 20-5 (2026)

(a)

  (1) The Commission may appoint a properly qualified person as Executive Director of the Commission.

  (2) The Executive Director is entitled to a salary as provided in the Ordinance of Estimates.

  (3) The Executive Director shall perform the duties that the Commission prescribes.

(b)

  (1) The Executive Director may employ a staff as provided in the Ordinance of Estimates.

  (2) Staff members shall be members of the classified service.

(c) The Commission may engage the services of volunteer workers and consultants, without salary, as it considers necessary from time to time.

(d) The Director may expend funds as authorized in the Ordinance of Estimates or in any supplemental appropriations.

*History: Ord. 83-955*

*History: Ord. 06-359*

## § 20-6 Powers and duties.

Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 20-6 (2026)

(a) The Baltimore City Commission for Women shall undertake the activities described in this section.

(b) The Commission shall:

  (1) develop an information and referral system for all services in the City related to women; and

  (2) recommend other services when a need for them is determined.

(c) The Commission shall serve as the focus and forum for the identification and amelioration of the unique problems faced by women in our society and on any practice of discrimination or prejudice that exists because of gender.

(d)

  (1) The Commission shall:

    (i) conduct research, policy analysis, and public information and education programs and activities to assist in addressing the needs of women; and

    (ii) institute and conduct other programs, meetings, and conferences to promote equal rights and opportunities for all women.

  (2) These programs and activities shall address the special needs of women related to race, age, national origin, religious preference, disability, sexual preference, physical characteristics, marital status, reproductive health, and economic status.

(e) The Commission shall:

  (1) review and monitor the conditions of women in the workforce in Baltimore City;

  (2) make recommendations promoting equal pay for work of equal value and equitable representation by women in all job levels; and

  (3) direct attention to the problems facing women in the workforce.

(f) The Commission shall:

  (1) advise and counsel the residents of Baltimore City, the City Council, the Mayor, and the various departments and agencies of the City, state, and federal governments on all matters involving women’s lives; and

  (2) recommend programs and legislation it considers necessary and proper to promote and ensure equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal access to services for all persons regardless of gender.

(g) The Commission shall review and evaluate the impact of existing and proposed policies and programs and legislation affecting women.

(h) The Commission shall work to remove inequalities due to discrimination or prejudice on the basis of gender in housing, recreation, employment, education, community services, criminal justice, financing, credit, insurance, and related matters.

(i) The Commission shall monitor City government so as to ensure the equitable representation of women on all City boards and commissions.

*History: Ord. 83-955*

*History: Ord. 06-359*