Except as otherwise provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this section, the governing body of each county shall establish a mental health advisory committee. The purpose of a mental health advisory committee shall be to serve as advocate for a comprehensive mental health system for persons of all ages. The governing bodies of two or more counties may establish, by agreement, an intercounty mental health advisory committee if: The population of one of the counties is too small to warrant the establishment of a mental health advisory committee for that county; and The Director consents. The governing body of a county may establish a joint mental health and addictions advisory committee. In Howard County, if a quasi–public authority is established under Subtitle 12 of this title, the governing body may designate the authority as the mental health advisory committee for the county. In Baltimore City, the governing body may designate Behavioral Health Systems Baltimore the local behavioral health authority for Baltimore City under Subtitle 12 of this title, as the mental health advisory committee for Baltimore City. In Anne Arundel County, the governing body may designate Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency, Inc., the core service agency or local behavioral health authority for Anne Arundel County under Subtitle 12 of this title, as the mental health advisory committee for Anne Arundel County. In Washington County, the governing body may designate Washington County Mental Health Authority, Inc., the core service agency for Washington County under Subtitle 12 of this title, as the mental health advisory committee for Washington County.

The mental health advisory committee of each county shall consist of: As nonvoting ex officio members, the following individuals or their designees: The health officer for the county; A representative of a State inpatient facility that serves that county, appointed as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection; The county mental health director; The director of the core service agency or local behavioral health authority, if any; and In jurisdictions with designated State inpatient beds located in local general hospitals, a representative from that facility; and As voting members, appointed by the governing body of the county and representative of the county’s major socio–economic and ethnic groups: At least 5, but not more than 7, representatives selected from among the following groups or agencies: The governing body; The county department of education; The local department of social services; The practicing physicians; Mental health professionals who are not physicians; The clergy; The legal profession; A local law enforcement agency; A local general hospital that contains an inpatient psychiatric unit; The Department of Aging; The Department of Juvenile Services; The local alcohol and drug abuse agency; and A local community rehabilitation or housing program; and At least 5 individuals selected from among the following groups or organizations and appointed as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection: At least 2 individuals who are currently receiving or who have in the past received mental health services; Parents or other relatives of adults with mental disorders; Parents or other relatives of children or adolescents with emotional, behavioral, or mental disorders the onset of which occurred during childhood or adolescence; The local mental health association, if any; An individual with experience with mental health care for veterans or individuals serving in the military; and A member of the general public. If more than one State inpatient facility serves a county, a representative from at least 1 of the facilities shall be appointed by the Director. At least one–half of the voting members shall be appointed from among the individuals listed in paragraph (1)(ii)2A through C of this subsection. Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) through (3) of this subsection, if the governing body of Baltimore City or Anne Arundel County designates a core service agency or local behavioral health authority as the mental health advisory committee, the mental health advisory committee shall consist of the governing body of the core service agency or local behavioral health authority. If an intercounty advisory committee is established, the governing body of each participating county shall appoint at least 4 members of the committee. Notwithstanding subsection (a)(1)(ii) of this section, if the governing body of a county establishes a joint mental health and addictions advisory committee, the governing body may appoint any additional members as necessary to advise and advocate about addictions issues. The term of an appointed member is 3 years and begins on July 1. The terms of one–third of the appointed members of each county advisory committee or intercounty advisory committee end each year. At the end of a term, a member may continue to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies. 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. A member who serves 2 consecutive full 3–year terms may not be reappointed for 2 years after completion of those terms.

From among its members, each county advisory committee and each intercounty advisory committee shall elect annually a chairperson and other officers that the committee finds necessary. A member may not serve as chairperson for more than 2 consecutive years. The manner of election of officers shall be as each county advisory committee or intercounty advisory committee determines.

Each county advisory committee and intercounty advisory committee shall have no fewer than 6 meetings per year at the times and places that the committee determines. Except in Montgomery County, staff services for each county advisory committee or intercounty advisory committee shall be provided by the health officer for the appropriate county.

Each county advisory committee and each intercounty advisory committee may: Create subcommittees; and Have additional individuals participate as needed. Each county advisory committee and intercounty advisory committee shall: Monitor, review and evaluate the allocation and adequacy of publicly funded mental health services within the county through means such as conducting or participating in site visits; Determine the needs of the county mental health system, including quality of services, gaps in the system, and interagency coordination; Participate in the development of the local mental health plan and local mental health budget; Prepare and disseminate an annual report to the following: The health officer; In Montgomery County, the director of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services; The county mental health director; The governing body of the appropriate county; The director of the local core service agency or local behavioral health authority, if any; The regional mental health director; The Director; The Secretary; and The Behavioral Health Advisory Council; and Include in the annual report, at a minimum, the following: A description of the progress of the county mental health system; Recommendations on actions needed to improve the system; Recommendations on priorities for allocation of funds; and In accordance with those priorities and after consideration of financial resources, recommendations on appropriate allocation of funds; Review and comment upon the annual core service agency or county mental health plan and preliminary budget, prior to submission of the budget to the State; and Review and comment upon the annual fiscal report.