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<section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="13-5106" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2028 PER CHAPTER 190 OF 2026" title_number="13" title_name="Miscellaneous Health Care Programs" subtitle_number="51" subtitle_name="Commission on Public Health">
  <level label="a">
    <text>The Commission shall assess the foundational public health capabilities of the Department and local health departments in the State.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>In conducting the assessment required under subsection (a) of this section, the Commission shall:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Explain the impact of the foundational public health capabilities on the State’s ability to address foundational public health areas, including as the foundational public health areas relate to behavioral health;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Explain the impact of the foundational public health capabilities on the State’s ability to respond to COVID–19, overdoses, maternal and infant mortality, and other major public health challenges as appropriate; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Provide public outreach to hold at least three public meetings in different areas of the State that include an opportunity for public comment.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>In conducting the assessment required under subsection (a) of this section, the Commission may:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Request deidentified and publicly available data from the Department, local health departments, and the State–designated health data utility; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Request interviews with State and local health officials.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Based on the assessment conducted under subsection (a) of this section, the Commission shall make recommendations for reform in the following areas:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Organization of State and local public health departments;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Information technology, information exchange, and data and analytics;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Workforce, including human resources and use of the Maryland Medical Reserve Corps established under Title 2, Subtitle 11 of this article;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>Procurement, including oversight of contractors;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>Funding;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>Communication and public engagement; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vii">
        <text>Any other area considered appropriate by the Commission.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The recommendations made under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include the funding or legislation required to implement the recommendation, if any.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The Commission shall justify each recommendation made under paragraph (1) of this subsection based on how the recommendation contributes to the provision of foundational public health services.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <level label="i">
        <text>The Commission shall make a draft of its recommendations available for public comment for 30 days.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>The final report of the Commission shall include a response to any substantive public comment received on the draft recommendations.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <level label="i">
        <text>The Commission shall use best efforts to reach consensus on its recommendations.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>If the Commission cannot reach consensus on its recommendations, the Commission shall include the opportunity for dissenting comments in the Commission’s final report.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
