In this subtitle, “Advisory Board” means the State Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board.

There is a State Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board.

The Advisory Board consists of the following 36 voting members: The following two members, who shall serve ex officio: One member of the Senate, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; and One member of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; The Secretary of Disabilities, or the Secretary’s designee; The Secretary of Health, or the Secretary’s designee; The Secretary of Education, or the Secretary’s designee; One representative of the State Department of Education, Division of Rehabilitation Services, appointed by the Director of the Division; One representative of the Maryland Department of Health, Developmental Disabilities Administration, appointed by the Director of the Administration; One representative of the Maryland Department of Health, Behavioral Health Administration, appointed by the Director of the Administration; One representative of the Maryland Department of Health, Prevention and Health Promotion Administration, Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, appointed by the Director of the Center; One representative of the Maryland Department of Health, Prevention and Health Promotion Administration, Office for Genetics and People with Special Health Care Needs, appointed by the Director of the Office; One representative of the Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Services Systems, appointed by the Director of the Institute; One representative of the Maryland Department of Health, Office of Health Services, appointed by the Director of the Office; One representative of the Maryland Department of Health, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration, appointed by the Director of the Administration; Four representatives of the Brain Injury Association of Maryland, appointed by the Executive Director of the Association; One representative of the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council, appointed by the Executive Director of the Council; One representative of the Maryland Disability Law Center, Maryland’s Protection Advocacy System, appointed by the Director of the Office; One representative of the National Institutes of Health, appointed by the Director of the Institutes; and The following 16 members, appointed by the Governor: One representative of State or local law enforcement; Six Maryland citizens who have experienced a traumatic brain injury; Five Maryland citizens who are currently caring for, or are family members of, individuals who have experienced a traumatic brain injury; and Four professionals with specialized experience in providing services to individuals with traumatic brain injuries or traumatic brain injury prevention activities.

The term of a member is 3 years. At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies. A member appointed to fill a vacancy in an unexpired term serves only for the remainder of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies. A member of the Advisory Board may not serve more than two consecutive terms. The terms of the members of the Advisory Board are staggered as required by the terms provided for members on October 1, 2005. The members of the Advisory Board shall elect a chair of the Advisory Board each year. A majority of the members present at a meeting shall constitute a quorum for transacting business or performing any duties. The Advisory Board shall meet at least once every other month. A member of the Advisory Board: May not receive compensation; but Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. The Maryland Department of Health and the Department of Disabilities shall jointly provide staff support and technical assistance for the Advisory Board.

The Advisory Board shall: Investigate the needs of citizens with traumatic brain injuries; Identify gaps in services to citizens with traumatic brain injuries; Facilitate collaboration among State agencies that provide services to individuals with traumatic brain injuries; Facilitate collaboration among organizations and entities that provide services to individuals with traumatic brain injuries; Encourage and facilitate community participation in program implementation; Issue an annual report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on or before November 30, 2005, and each November 30 thereafter: Summarizing the actions of the Advisory Board and containing recommendations for: Providing oversight in acquiring and utilizing State and federal funding dedicated to services for individuals with traumatic brain injuries; Building provider–capacity and provider–training that address the needs of individuals with traumatic brain injuries; and Improving the coordination of services for individuals with traumatic brain injuries; and Including information concerning the number of individuals served and the services provided in the preceding fiscal year to individuals with traumatic brain injury; and Disseminate copies of the annual report to the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House, and the secretary of each department represented on the Advisory Board.