The Secretary, in consultation with the State Department of Education and other stakeholders, shall develop guidelines to support the expansion of school–based health centers.

In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Commission” means the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission. “Council” means the Maryland Council on Advancement of School–Based Health Centers.

There is a Maryland Council on Advancement of School–Based Health Centers in the Department. The purpose of the Council is to improve the health and educational outcomes of students who receive services from school–based health centers by advancing the integration of school–based health centers into: The health care system at the State and local levels; and The educational system at the State and local levels. Staff support for the Council shall be provided by the Commission. The Commission may seek the assistance of organizations with expertise in school–based health care or other matters within the duties of the Council provided in § 19–22A–08 of this subtitle to provide additional staffing resources to the Commission and the Council.

The Council consists of the following 16 voting members and 6 ex officio members: One member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate, as an ex officio member; One member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House, as an ex officio member; The Secretary of Health, or a designee of the Secretary, as an ex officio member; The State Superintendent of Schools as an ex officio member; The Executive Director of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange as an ex officio member; The Chairman of the Commission, or a designee of the Chairman, as an ex officio member; and The following 16 members, appointed by the Governor: The President of the Maryland Assembly on School–Based Health Care, or a designee of the President; Three representatives of school–based health centers, nominated by the Maryland Assembly on School–Based Health Care: From a diverse array of sponsoring organizations; and For at least one of the representatives, from a nursing background; One representative of the Public Schools Superintendents Association of Maryland; One representative of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education; One elementary school principal of a school that has a school–based health center; One secondary school principal of a school that has a school–based health center; One representative of the Maryland Hospital Association; One representative of the Maryland Association of County Health Officers; One representative of a federally qualified health center, nominated by the Mid–Atlantic Association of Community Health Centers; One representative of a managed care organization; One representative of a commercial health insurance carrier; One pediatrician, nominated by the Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics; One parent or guardian of a student who utilizes services at a school–based health center; and One school nurse, nominated by the Maryland Association of School Health Nurses. In making the appointments required under this section, the Governor shall ensure that the Council is representative of: The geographic regions of the State; and Minority populations of the State. The term of a member appointed under subsection (a) of this section is 3 years. The terms of voting members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Council on October 1, 2015. At the end of a term, a member shall continue to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies. A member who is appointed after a term has begun shall serve for the rest of the term or until a successor is appointed and qualifies. The Governor shall appoint a successor in the event of a vacancy on the Council. From among the members of the Council, the voting members of the Council shall elect a chair for a 2–year term. A member of the Council may not receive compensation but is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.

A majority of the members then serving on the Council is a quorum. The Council shall determine the times and places of its meetings and any other necessary operating procedures in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. The Council may establish workgroups to advise the Council on specific issues, including behavioral health, oral health, and primary care. The chair of the Council shall appoint the members of a workgroup established by the Council under paragraph (1) of this subsection. The chair of the Council may appoint the following individuals to a workgroup: Members of the Council with expertise in the issue to be studied; and Members of the public, including consumers and stakeholder group representatives, with expertise in the area to be studied.

The Council shall develop policy recommendations to improve the health and educational outcomes of students who receive services from school–based health centers by: Supporting local community efforts to establish or expand school–based health center capacity in primary care, behavioral health, and oral health; Integrating school–based health centers into existing and emerging patient–centered models of care; Promoting the inclusion of school–based health centers in networks of managed care organizations and commercial health insurance carriers; Advancing the public health goals of State and local health officials; Promoting the inclusion of school–based health centers into networks of school health services and coordinated student service models for the range of services offered in school settings; Supporting State and local initiatives to promote student success; Reviewing and revising best practice guidelines; and Supporting the long–term sustainability of school–based health centers. The Council shall review the collection and analysis of school–based health center data collected by the State Department of Education to: Make recommendations on best practices for the collection and analysis of the data; and Provide guidance on the development of findings and recommendations based on the data. The Council shall conduct other activities the Council considers appropriate to meet the purpose of the Council. On or before December 31 of each year, the Council shall report the findings and recommendations of the Council to the Maryland Department of Health, the State Department of Education, the Commission, and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on improving the health and educational outcomes of students who receive services from school–based health centers.