(a) Establishing the Committee. The Committee for Ethnic Affairs is established for an indefinite term. (b) Membership. (1) All members must be appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council. (2) There must be 26 members, of whom: (A) 14 are identified with ethnic groups in the County; and (B) 12 are identified with the general public, including the business and education communities. (c) Terms of members. Each member must be appointed for a 3-year term that begins on April 1, except for a member appointed to complete an unexpired term. (d) Chairperson. The Committee must elect a chairperson. The chairperson serves a one- year term, unless reelected.

The Committee should: (a) create a forum for all ethnic groups in the County, help to integrate diverse communities in the County, and identify existing and potential problems and possible solutions. (b) advise the County Executive, County Council, and the Office of Minority and Multicultural Affairs on public policy that relates to ethnic affairs; (c) emphasize the richness of the lingual and cultural diversity in the County, including the promotion of interaction and interchange among ethnic groups; (d) advise the Office of Minority and Multicultural Affairs about the organization of an annual heritage festival to celebrate ethnic diversity in the County; (e) advise the Office of Minority and Multicultural Affairs about ways of introducing and welcoming permanent and temporary residents from other countries to the County and integrating them into the community; (f) advise the Office of Minority and Multicultural Affairs about special needs of ethnic groups for public services, including interpreters, health, housing, employment, and education, and monitor any programs that provide these services; (g) advise the Office of Minority and Multicultural Affairs about providing information in as many languages as possible; (h) advise the Office of Minority and Multicultural Affairs about promoting involvement of all ethnic groups in the government, business, and community affairs of the County; and (i) communicate with the Maryland State Ethnic Heritage Commission and other comparable public and private organizations.

(a) The Office of Minority and Multicultural Affairs must: (1) organize an annual ethnic heritage festival; and (2) provide for citizen participation in the festival planning. (b) The Committee should assist the Office of Minority and Multicultural Affairs in planning the festival.

(a) By December 1 each year, the Committee must report to the County Executive, the County Council, and the Office of Minority and Multicultural Affairs. (b) The report must include a summary of the activities, accomplishments, plans, and objectives of the Committee.

The Office of Minority and Multicultural Affairs must provide appropriate support to assist the Committee in its work.

(a) Frequency. The committee meets at the direction of the chairperson at least 6 times each year. (b) Procedures. (1) A majority of the members of the Committee must be present for the Committee to conduct any official business. (2) If a majority of members attending a meeting agree, the Committee may take an action.

Members do not receive compensation for serving on the committee.

The committee is in the advisory category established in section 2-143 of this Code.

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