In this subtitle, “Council” means the Behavioral Health Advisory Council.

There is a Behavioral Health Advisory Council in the Office of the Governor.

The Council consists of the following members: One member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate; One member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House; Five representatives of the Department, including: The Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee; The Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health, or the Deputy Secretary’s designee; The Deputy Secretary for Developmental Disabilities, or the Deputy Secretary’s designee; The Executive Director of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, or the Executive Director’s designee; and The Deputy Secretary for Health Care Financing, or the Deputy Secretary’s designee; The Secretary of Aging, or the Secretary’s designee; The Secretary of Budget and Management, or the Secretary’s designee; The Secretary of Disabilities, or the Secretary’s designee; The Secretary of Housing and Community Development, or the Secretary’s designee; The Secretary of Human Services, or the Secretary’s designee; The Secretary of Juvenile Services, or the Secretary’s designee; The Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services, or the Secretary’s designee; The Secretary of Labor, or the Secretary’s designee; The Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, or the Executive Director’s designee; The Director of the Governor’s Office of the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing, or the Director’s designee; The Public Defender of Maryland, or the Public Defender’s designee; Two representatives of the State Superintendent of Schools, or the Superintendent’s designee, and the Assistant State Superintendent of the Division of Rehabilitation Services, or the Assistant State Superintendent’s designee; Two representatives of the Maryland Judiciary, a District Court judge, and a circuit court judge, appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Maryland; The Executive Director of the Maryland Association of Behavioral Health Authorities, or the Executive Director’s designee; The President of the Maryland Association of County Health Officers, or the President’s designee; Four representatives from county behavioral health advisory councils, one from each region of the State; One representative, appointed by the Secretary of Health, from each of the following organizations: Community Behavioral Health Association; Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling; Maryland Addictions Director’s Council; Maryland Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence; Maryland Black Mental Health Alliance; Maryland Coalition of Families; Disability Rights Maryland; Maryland Recovery Organization Connecting Communities; Mental Health Association of Maryland; National Alliance on Mental Illness of Maryland; National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of Maryland; On Our Own of Maryland; and Maryland Association of Boards of Education; and Two individuals representing the mental health and substance use disorder treatment community, appointed by the Governor from each of the following: Academic or research professionals who are not State employees; Medical professionals; Individuals formerly or currently in receipt of behavioral health services; Family members of individuals with mental health or substance use disorders; A parent of a young child with behavioral health disorders; A youth with a behavioral health disorder who is between the ages of 16 and 25 years; and Individuals active in behavioral health issues within their community. Additional representatives or individuals designated by the Council shall be appointed by the Secretary. Members appointed by the Governor under subsection (a)(1)(xxi) of this section shall be representative, to the extent practicable, of: Geographic regions of the State; At–risk populations; Ethnic, gender, across–the–lifespan, and cultural diversity; and Balanced representation from areas of mental health and substance use disorders. The Council shall appoint a chair from among the membership of the Council. Members appointed by the Governor under subsection (a)(1)(xxi) of this section: Serve a 4–year term; May serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms; After at least 6 years have passed since serving, may be reappointed for terms that comply with items (i) and (ii) of this paragraph; At the end of a term, continue to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies; and If appointed after a term has begun, serve only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies. Ex officio members serve as long as the member holds the specified office or designation. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subsection, all members serve at the pleasure of the Governor. With the consent of the Council, the chair may designate additional individuals with relevant expertise to serve on a committee or task force.

The Council may adopt procedures necessary to do business, including the creation of committees or task forces. The Council may consult with State agencies to carry out the duties of the Council. The Council shall meet at least six times a year. A majority of the voting members of the Council is a quorum. A member of the Council: May not receive compensation as a member of the Council; but Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. The Behavioral Health Administration shall provide one full–time project manager for administrative coordination, and other staff as necessary to support the functions of the Council.

The Council shall: Promote and advocate for: Planning, policy, workforce development, and services to ensure a coordinated, quality system of care that is outcome–guided and that integrates prevention, recovery, evidence–based practices, and cost–effective strategies that enhance behavioral health services across the State; and A culturally competent and comprehensive approach to publicly funded prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery services that support and foster wellness, recovery, resiliency, and health for individuals who have behavioral health disorders and their family members; and Submit, in coordination with the Commission on Behavioral Health Care Treatment and Access, an annual report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on or before December 31 of each year.