There is a Baltimore Benefits Commission. Ord. 04-890

The Commission consists of 21 members. Of these:19 members serve ex officio; and 2 members are appointed by the Mayor in accordance with <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter" data-path="IV|§6">Article IV, § 6 of the Baltimore City Charter</cite>. The ex officio members are the following or their designated representatives:Mayor. President of the City Council. Director, Department of Human Resources. Labor Commissioner. Director, Department of Finance. Budget Chief, Department of Finance. Chief, Fire Department Executive Director, Commission on the Aging and Retirement Education. Executive Director, Employees’ Retirement System. Executive Director, Fire and Police Employees’ Retirement System. President, Metropolitan Baltimore Council, AFL-CIO. President, Managerial and Professional Society of Baltimore, Inc. President, Baltimore Teachers Union. President, City Union of Baltimore. President, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Local 44. President, Baltimore Fire Fighters Association, Local 734. President, Baltimore City Fire Fighters, Local 964. President, Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #3. Commissioner, Baltimore City Police Department. Of the appointed members:1 must be an active City employee; and 1 must be a retired City employee. Ord. 04-890 Ord. 09-165

The Mayor shall designate a member as Chair of the Commission. The Chair may select other officers. A majority of the members of the Commission constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business An affirmative vote by the majority of a quorum is sufficient for any official action. The Commission may adopt rules to govern its meetings and operations. Ord. 04-890

In consultation with the Commission, the Director of Finance shall assign staff from the Department of Finance to assist the Commission in its efforts. Ord. 04-890

The Commission shall: study and monitor the compensation and other benefits (including health, retirement, life and disability insurance, and other benefits) provided or, from time to time, proposed to be provided by the City to its employees and retirees; and on or before June 30 of each year, submit a report to the Board of Estimates recommending specific methods to:improve communications between administrators and beneficiaries concerning available benefits and proposed changes to them; and generally improve the administration of benefits for employees and retirees. Ord. 04-890

Any information that the Commission requests from a City department or agency shall be provided to the Commission in a timely manner, so as not to impede the Commission’s purpose and function. The City Department of Human Resources shall make available to the Commission the findings of all health care or prescription drug plans that pertain to City employees and retirees. Ord. 04-890