There is a board of community college trustees in each county that has one or more community colleges. The governing body of any county that does not have a community college may request permission to establish one from the Maryland Higher Education Commission. On recommendation of the Commission, the Governor shall appoint a board of community college trustees for that county. Except as provided in Subtitle 4 of this title, each board is composed of seven members appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Except as provided in Subtitle 4 of this title, each member serves for a term of 6 years from July 1 of the year the appointment is made and until a successor is appointed and qualifies. These terms are staggered, and of the initial appointments to a board, five shall be for terms of 1 to 5 years respectively, and two shall be for terms of 6 years. A member appointed to fill a vacancy in an unexpired term serves only for the remainder of that term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies. A member may be reappointed.

Each board of trustees: Shall elect one of its members as its chair; Except as provided in § 16–105(g) of this subtitle, shall choose the president of one of the county community colleges to serve as secretary–treasurer of the board; and May elect any other officer it requires. Each board shall determine the time and place of its meetings and may adopt rules for the conduct of its meetings.

In addition to the other powers granted and duties imposed by this title, and subject to the authority of the Maryland Higher Education Commission, each board of community college trustees has the powers and duties set forth in this section. With the approval of the Maryland Higher Education Commission, each board of trustees may establish and operate one or more community colleges. Each board of trustees shall exercise general control over the community college, keep separate records and minutes, and adopt reasonable rules, regulations, or bylaws to carry out the provisions of this subtitle. Each board of trustees may fix the salaries and tenure of the president, faculty, and other employees of the community college. Each board of trustees may purchase, lease, condemn, or otherwise acquire any property it considers necessary for the operation of the community college. Each board of trustees may sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of community college assets or property. Except as provided in § 16–105(h) of this subtitle, the president of the community college and the chair of the board of trustees may execute a conveyance or other legal document under an appropriate resolution of the board. Each board of trustees may: With the approval of the Commission, permit the county board of education to use the lands, buildings, or other facilities of the community college; and With the approval of the county board of education, use any land, buildings, assets, or other facilities of the county board of education. Each board of trustees may apply for and accept any gift or grant from the federal government or any other person. Subject to the minimum standards of the Commission, each board of trustees may determine entrance requirements and approve offerings that consist of: Transfer programs offering the equivalent of the first 2 years of a bachelor’s degree program; Career programs offering technical, vocational, and semiprofessional education; and Continuing education programs. Each board of trustees may charge students reasonable tuition and fees set by it with a view to making college education available to all qualified individuals at low cost. Each board of trustees may sue and be sued. Each board of trustees may make agreements with the federal government or any other person, including agreements between counties to support a regional community college, if the board considers the agreement advisable for the establishment or operation of the community college. Except as provided in § 16-105(i) of this subtitle, each board of trustees shall be styled “the board of trustees of ................. community (or junior) college”. Each board of trustees may adopt a corporate seal.

Except as provided in § 16–105 of this subtitle, each board of trustees shall appoint a president of each community college under its jurisdiction. The president: Shall report directly to the board of trustees; Shall recommend the appointment by the board of qualified faculty members and other employees necessary for the efficient administration of the community college; Shall recommend the discharge of employees for good cause; however, any employee with tenure shall be given reasonable notice of the grounds for dismissal and an opportunity to be heard; Is responsible for the conduct of the community college and for the administration and supervision of its departments; and Shall attend all meetings of the board, except those involving the president’s personal position as president.

Notwithstanding the provisions of § 16-104 of this subtitle, the provisions of this section shall apply only in Baltimore County. There is a Community College of Baltimore County consisting of the following three campuses: The Catonsville Campus; The Dundalk Campus; and The Essex Campus. The Board of Trustees for Baltimore County shall appoint a President of the Community College of Baltimore County who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board. The President: Shall report directly to the Board of Trustees; Shall recommend the appointment by the Board of qualified faculty members and other employees necessary for the efficient administration of the Community College of Baltimore County; Shall recommend the discharge of employees for good cause; however, any employee with tenure shall be given reasonable notice of the grounds for dismissal and an opportunity to be heard; Is responsible for the administration and supervision of the administrators, employees, and departments of the campuses of the Community College of Baltimore County in accordance with the policy manual of the Community College of Baltimore County as adopted from time to time by the Board of Trustees; and Shall attend all meetings of the Board, except those involving the President’s personal position. Upon the recommendation of the President, the Board of Trustees may appoint a vice president, provost, and administrator of each campus under its jurisdiction. The vice presidents, provosts, and administrators of each campus shall report directly to the President. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 16-102(a)(2) of this subtitle, the Board of Trustees may choose the President to serve as Secretary-Treasurer of the Board. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 16-103(f)(2) of this subtitle, the Board of Trustees may, by resolution, authorize the President to sign legal documents on behalf of the Board of Trustees including documents related to the disposition of assets or property of the community college. The resolution may: Authorize the President to delegate the authority given to the President under paragraph (1) of this subsection to designees that the Board of Trustees considers appropriate; and Limit the type of legal documents that the President may delegate to a designee for signature. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 16-103(m) of this subtitle, the Board of Trustees shall be styled “the Board of Trustees of the Community College of Baltimore County”.

Any full–time classified employee of a community college who enrolls, during his nonworking hours, in any class at the community college that has at least 10 regularly enrolled students: Is exempt from payment of tuition; and May not be counted in computing full–time equivalent enrollment at the community college under § 16–305 of this title. In this subsection, “tuition” means the basic instructional charge for courses offered at a community college. “Tuition” does not include: Any fees or costs associated with a self–supporting program; or Any fees for: Registration; Application; Administration; or Laboratory work. Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, any resident of this State who is 60 years old or older and who enrolls in any class, which is eligible under § 16–305 of this title for State support, at the community college: Shall be exempt from payment of tuition; and Shall be counted in computing full–time equivalent enrollment under § 16–305 of this title if enrolled in any class that is eligible for State support. A community college is required to waive the tuition for a course for senior citizens under this subsection only when course space is available. This subsection may not be construed to prohibit a community college board of trustees from offering senior citizens other educational opportunities free of charge, provided that the senior citizen is not counted in computing full–time equivalent enrollment for the purpose of receiving State support. Any resident of this State who is out of the work force by reason of total and permanent disability who enrolls at a community college in a class that has at least 10 regularly enrolled students: Is exempt from payment of tuition: For up to 6 credits per semester or up to 12 credits per semester if the individual is enrolled in classes as part of a degree or a certificate program designed to lead to employment; or For continuing education instruction designed to lead to employment, including life skills instruction; and Shall be counted in computing full–time equivalent enrollment under § 16–305 of this title. In order to receive this exemption, an individual who meets the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection shall provide the community college with certification from the Social Security Administration, the Railroad Retirement Board, or in the case of a former federal employee, from the individual’s federal retirement or pension authority of the individual’s: Total and permanent disability; and Receipt of disability or retirement benefits based on a standard that is at least as stringent as the standard applied by the Social Security Act. Certification from the Social Security Administration of an individual’s receipt of disability or retirement benefits under either Title II or Title XVI of the federal Social Security Act shall satisfy the requirement in paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection. In order to receive this exemption, an individual who meets the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection and is enrolled in a degree or certificate program shall submit a timely application for any State or federal student financial aid, other than a student loan, for which the student may qualify. Any student financial aid, other than a student loan, received by the student shall be applied first to pay the student’s tuition. Under this exemption, the waiver shall apply to the difference, if any, between the charge for tuition and the financial aid award, not including a student loan, that the student receives. On request, the community college shall assist any individual required to submit an application for State or federal student financial aid under this paragraph.

Each board of trustees may carry comprehensive liability insurance to protect the board, its agents and employees, and the agents and employees of any community college under its jurisdiction. The purchase of the insurance is for an educational purpose and is a valid educational expense. The Commission may adopt standards for the policies, including a minimum liability coverage which may not be less than $100,000 per occurrence. Any policy purchased after the adoption of these standards shall conform to them. Each board of trustees complies with this section if it is self–insured, for at least $100,000 and not more than $500,000 per occurrence, under the rules and regulations of the State Insurance Commissioner. This section does not prevent any board of trustees, on its own behalf, from raising the defense of sovereign immunity described under § 5–519 of the Courts Article.

A board of trustees may submit to the Commission a request for proposals for the offering of a baccalaureate degree program not currently offered in the region. The Commission shall distribute the request for proposals to public senior higher education institutions and private nonprofit institutions of higher education. Before submitting a request for proposals under subsection (a) of this section, the board of trustees shall: Seek input from students, workforce development councils, and other civic, educational, community, and business groups when assessing the educational needs of the region; Determine the regional or statewide need for graduates of each program for which a request for proposals is submitted; Identify the enrollment patterns, special characteristics of students, and other unique circumstances that would require a program to be offered in a particular manner; and Determine that the degree program is necessary to meet the academic and economic development needs of the region or State. The board of trustees may submit the request for proposals to out–of–state senior higher education institutions and for–profit institutions of higher education if none of the senior higher education institutions in the State submit an acceptable response to the request for proposals submitted under subsection (a) of this section. Notwithstanding § 11–206(b)(2)(ii) of this article, before offering a degree program that is the subject of the request for proposals, an out–of–state senior higher education institution or for–profit institution of higher education shall seek the approval of the Commission under Title 11, Subtitle 2 of this article. The Commission shall adopt regulations to implement the requirements of this section.

Each community college shall: Ensure all student advisors are trained on the unique needs and resources available for students who are: Veterans; or Spouses of veterans; Employ at least one employee who, as a component of the employee’s job duties and responsibilities, provides comprehensive and intensive enrollment and advising services to current and prospective students who are: Veterans; or Spouses of veterans; and Establish a veterans resource center on campus to: Provide access to federal and State veterans and spouses of veterans resources; Serve as a quiet place for veterans and spouses of veterans to study; Enable veterans and spouses of veterans to connect to other veterans and spouses of veterans, helping them renew the bonds of service; and Be the central hub for all activities on campus related to veterans and spouses of veterans.

In this section, “student athlete” means a student enrolled at a community college who participates in an intercollegiate athletic program at the community college. The board of community college trustees at a community college shall allow a student athlete to modify the athletic or team uniform of the student athlete in a manner that makes the student athlete’s attire more modest to conform to: The requirements or preferences of the student athlete’s religion or culture; or The student athlete’s own preferences for modesty. A student athlete may not be required to receive approval from a coach, an administrator, or the board of community college trustees before making the uniform modification. A modification to an athletic or team uniform may include the wearing of: A head covering worn for religious reasons, including a Muslim hijab, Jewish kippah, or Sikh dastar; An undershirt; or Leggings. A modification to an athletic or team uniform may not: Interfere with the movement of the student athlete; or Pose a safety hazard to the student athlete, other student athletes, or others. A student athlete may modify the uniform headgear if the modified headgear: Is black, white, the predominant color of the uniform, or the same color as that worn by all players on the team; Does not cover any part of the face, unless required for the safety of the wearer; Is not dangerous to the student athlete, other student athletes, or others; Does not have opening or closing elements around the face or neck; and Does not have parts protruding from its surface. A student athlete is responsible for all costs associated with the modification of the student athlete’s athletic or team uniform under this section. This subsection may not be construed to prohibit a community college from providing the uniform modification to the student.

In this section, “over–the–counter contraception” means a contraceptive drug or device approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration that can be obtained for use without a prescription. On or before August 1, 2025, each community college, in consultation with students and student organizations, shall develop and implement a plan to provide students with access to all methods of over–the–counter contraception. The plan under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include access to over–the–counter contraception through: The student health center; Retail establishments on campus; Vending machines; or Any other method that provides all students access when on campus. The Maryland Department of Health, on request, may provide assistance to a community college in: Developing a plan under this section; and Consulting and collaborating with organizations with expertise in providing access to over–the–counter contraception through vending machines.