<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<unit kind="division" number="43" name="Commission on Fathers, Men, and Boys" slug="division-43" node_id="PTIITI17PULOLAPRGECOMA_SUBTITLE_2AD_DIV43COFAMEBO">
  <section number="2-509" name="Establishment of Commission" law="code" slug="sec-2-509" node_id="PTIITI17PULOLAPRGECOMA_SUBTITLE_2AD_DIV43COFAMEBO_S2-509ESCO">
    <text>The Commission on Fathers, Men, and Boys ("Commission") is established to advise the County Executive, the County Council, County agencies, and the public on issues and needs of fathers, men, and boys in Prince George's County.</text>
  </section>
  <section number="2-510" name="Commission members; qualifications; terms of office; removal" law="code" slug="sec-2-510" node_id="PTIITI17PULOLAPRGECOMA_SUBTITLE_2AD_DIV43COFAMEBO_S2-510COMEQUTEOFRE">
    <level label="a">
      <text>The Commission shall consist of 13 voting members nominated by the County Executive and subject to the advice and approval of the Council after public hearing. The makeup of the Commission shall reflect the demographics of Prince George's County, including ethnic, geographic, and linguistic diversity, and shall include prominent business and community leaders, also including individuals certified in fatherhood training or having documented experience working directly with issues of particular interest and concern to fathers, men, and boys.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="b">
      <text>Members of the Commission shall be residents domiciled in Prince George's County.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="c">
      <text>The term of office of each of the appointive members shall be for three (3) years. Of the members first appointed, four (4) shall be appointed for terms which will expire in one (1) year; four (4) shall be appointed for terms which will expire in two (2) years; and three (3) for terms which will expire in three (3) years.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="d">
      <text>Whenever a vacancy occurs on the Commission, the County Executive shall, within 90 business days of the vacancy, appoint a successor, subject to approval of the Council in accordance with Subsection (a), above, to fill the unexpired portion of the term.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="e">
      <text>The County Executive shall designate, from among the members appointed, the Chair, who shall serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the County Executive.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="f">
      <text>All members of the Commission shall serve without compensation except that expenses incurred by the Commission as a whole, or by a group of its members, become an obligation against appropriated Prince George's County funds designated for that purpose.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="g">
      <text>The County Executive may remove, subject to approval of the County Council, any voting member of the Commission for neglect of duty, incompetence, misconduct, or malfeasance in office.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="h">
      <text>The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chair as frequently as required to perform its duties, but no less than once each month. A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Any action taken by the Commission shall require approval by a majority of the voting members present at a public meeting.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="i">
      <text>The Chair of the County Council shall appoint an ex-officio or non-voting member to serve on the Commission.</text>
    </level>
  </section>
  <section number="2-511" name="Duties of the Commission" law="code" slug="sec-2-511" node_id="PTIITI17PULOLAPRGECOMA_SUBTITLE_2AD_DIV43COFAMEBO_S2-511DUCO">
    <level label="a">
      <text>The Commission shall:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>Serve as an advocate for fathers, men, and boys residing in Prince George's County by advising and making recommendations to the County Executive, the Council, and other entities concerning the needs of Prince George's County residents related to or concerning fathers, men, and boys;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>Research, review, maintain, and disseminate empirical data, statistics, and facts concerning or attributable to fatherhood and family social economic issues;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="3">
        <text>Stimulate and encourage the dialogue of responsible fatherhood and spur community initiatives to combat fatherlessness;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="4">
        <text>Prepare and recommend to the County Executive and the Council an annual plan of programs and services focused on issues directly related to fathers, men, and boys;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="5">
        <text>Work with Prince George's County agencies, the private sector, and local communities to promote a healthier societal impact on fathers, men, and boys;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="6">
        <text>Work in collaboration with the Commission for Women on issues and programs for strengthening the quality of life for women, men, and children in Prince George's County; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="7">
        <text>Enlist individuals to provide technical and expert advice on specific and particular matters relevant to the functions of the Commission.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="b">
      <text>The Commission shall recommend, adopt, and implement policies, programs, and procedures that will effectively address the social economic concerns of fathers, men, and boys, including:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>Fatherlessness and responsible fatherhood;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>Employment and Economic Opportunities;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="3">
        <text>Family law and domestic violence;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="4">
        <text>Hunger, Poverty, and Homelessness;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="5">
        <text>Health and well-being; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="6">
        <text>Rehabilitation and reintegration.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="c">
      <text>The Commission may recommend that the County Executive, County agencies, the Council or other entities apply for public and private grants relating to fatherhood, children, and family initiatives.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="d">
      <text>The Commission, through the Department of Family Services, may engage the services of volunteer workers and consultants without salary as they may find necessary from time to time and may engage other workers and consultants in accordance with the laws of the County, subject to budget appropriations, to assist it in carrying out its duties. Services of an individual as a volunteer worker or consultant for the Commission shall not be considered as service of employment bringing such individual within any merit system of the County or of this State.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="e">
      <text>The Commission shall submit an annual report to the County Executive and the Council summarizing its activities, needs, recommendations, and the degree to which the goals of the Commission are being met.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="f">
      <text>Administrative support for the Commission shall be provided by the Department of Family Services.</text>
    </level>
  </section>
</unit>
