In this article, “Board” means the Victim Services Advisory Board.

Under Part III of Title 8 of the Health General Article of the Maryland Code, this Article establishes the board.

(a) The Board is appointed by the County executive, subject to confirmation by the County Council. (b) The Board consists of: (1) Nineteen voting members who are residents of Montgomery County, of whom: (A) Five are from among the mental health, legal, medical, dental, and nursing professions; (B) Ten may be members of the listed professions but represent the community as a whole; and (C) One should be a member of the clergy; and (2) Four nonvoting ex officio members, of whom: (A) One is the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services; (B) One is a representative of the State’s Attorney; (C) One is a representative of the Public Defender; and (D) One is a representative of the Police Department. (c) The Board must elect a chairman from among its members: (1) Whose term is one year; and (2) Who may be reelected. (d) (1) The term of an appointed member is 3 years. (2) A member ordinarily serves no more than 2 terms. (3) The terms of appointed members are staggered. (4) At the end of a term, an appointed member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies. (5) 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. (e) If a vacancy occurs, the County Executive must appoint a successor, subject to confirmation by the County Council, within 60 days of the vacancy.

(a) The Board must meet at least quarterly. Once a year, the chairman must set a meeting schedule for the coming year with the consent of the Board. (b) A meeting of the Board may also be convened at the request of two-thirds of the members of the Board. (c) A majority of the members of the Board constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business. (d) A majority vote of those present is sufficient for any action taken by the Board.

Members do not receive compensation for serving on the Board.

(a) With the advice and assistance of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Board must: (1) Periodically review available services and facilities for victims and their families; (2) Determine the needs of the victim and family services program; (3) Each year, submit at least one report to the County Executive and the County Council on the progress of programs to victims and their families and of actions needed to improve those programs; (4) Make recommendations for appropriate allocation of funds in accordance with agreed upon priorities and consideration of financial resources; (5) Assist the Director of the Department in the development of the annual victim services and families plan; (6) Provide input to the Governor’s victim services program; (7) Act as a local advocate for victim services programming; and (8) Facilitate communication with the Alcohol and Other Drug Addiction Advisory Council and the Mental Health Advisory Committee by sharing minutes with those committees. (b) The Board may: (1) Review and comment on all local new and renewal State grant applications; (2) Review and comment on all local federal grant applications for victims service and family programs; (3) Participate in program evaluations; and (4) Review the State program services plan.

The Board must not engage in any advocacy activity at the State or federal levels unless that activity is approved by the Office of Intergovernmental Relations.

The Director of the Department of Health and Human Services must: (1) Provide staff services and administrative support to the Board; and (2) Facilitate in every way possible the work of the Board.