<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<baltimore-city-law heading="§ 54-4 Office - Powers and duties.">
  <section prefix="§" num="54-4" heading="Office - Powers and duties.">
    <text>The office shall have the power and duty to perform the following functions:</text>
    <para num="(1)">advise the Mayor, City Council, and City agencies on ways to enhance and improve access to City services and resources for immigrants;</para>
    <para num="(2)">advise the Mayor, City Council, and City agencies on ways to strengthen opportunities for immigrants to participate in the civic life of the City;</para>
    <para num="(3)">implement and coordinate City policies regarding issues affecting immigrant communities;</para>
    <para num="(4)">advocate for equal treatment of immigrants and equitable access to City services;</para>
    <para num="(5)">review proposed legislation referred to the Office by the City Council and assess its impact on the economic, physical, social, emotional, and intellectual welfare of immigrants;</para>
    <para num="(6)">improve the services available to immigrants by advocating for changes in:<para num="(i)">public policy;</para>
      <para num="(ii)">service delivery; and</para>
      <para num="(iii)">funding;</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(7)">develop, implement, and coordinate policies that facilitate City agencies’ compliance with all federal, State, and local language access laws;</para>
    <para num="(8)">advance the Office’s mission by working in partnership with:<para num="(i)">City agencies;</para>
      <para num="(ii)">City boards;</para>
      <para num="(iii)">City commissions;</para>
      <para num="(iv)">community organizations; and</para>
      <para num="(v)">the private sector;</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(9)">serve as a liaison between the City and its immigrant communities;</para>
    <para num="(10)">establish and staff community advisory groups to provide strategic guidance and monitoring of initiatives relevant to the purpose of the Office;</para>
    <para num="(11)">solicit community and stakeholder input regarding the activities of the Office, including consultations with City agencies, boards, and commissions on implementation of programs and services relevant to immigrants; and</para>
    <para num="(12)">perform other duties as required by the Mayor.</para>
    <annotation type="History" />
  </section>
</baltimore-city-law>
