In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Continuum of Care” means a regional or local planning body that coordinates housing and services funding for homeless families and individuals. “Council” means the Interagency Council on Homelessness.

There is an Interagency Council on Homelessness.

The Council consists of the following members: the Secretary of Aging, or the Secretary’s designee; the Secretary of Budget and Management, or the Secretary’s designee; the Secretary of Health, or the Secretary’s designee; the Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee; the Secretary of Human Services, or the Secretary’s designee; the Secretary of Labor, or the Secretary’s designee; the Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services, or the Secretary’s designee; the State Superintendent of Schools, or the State Superintendent’s designee; the Secretary of Transportation, or the Secretary’s designee; the Secretary of Veterans and Military Families, or the Secretary’s designee; the Secretary of Juvenile Services, or the Secretary’s designee; the Secretary of Disabilities, or the Secretary’s designee; and the following members, appointed by the Governor: one representative of the Governor’s Office for Children; three representatives of local Continuums of Care; nine representatives from diverse geographical regions of the State engaged in homeless advocacy with a focus on housing, employment, and access to health care; and one community representative who has personally experienced homelessness. The Governor may remove a member for incompetence or misconduct.

The Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee, shall serve as chair of the Council.

A majority of the members then serving on the Council is a quorum. The Council shall determine the times and places of its meetings. Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, 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. A member of the Council appointed under § 4–2103(a)(13)(iii) or (iv) of this subtitle who is currently experiencing homelessness or has lived experience of homelessness is entitled to: reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget; and reasonable compensation for the member’s services as determined by a compensation policy administered by the Department.

The Department shall provide staff for the Council.

The Council shall: coordinate State policy and working relationships among State, local, and nonprofit agencies concerning efforts to remedy and prevent homelessness; coordinate data sharing between local Continuums of Care; coordinate outreach to each Continuum of Care to develop joint strategies that impact State and federal funding efforts to remedy and prevent homelessness; determine comprehensive and effective collaborative strategies and best practices for remediation and prevention of homelessness in the State, in particular addressing the differing needs of the State’s geographic areas; review and analyze the need for and availability of affordable and accessible housing resources to address the needs of homeless individuals throughout the State; recommend changes necessary to alleviate or prevent homelessness, including making recommendations annually to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, and appropriate State agencies and organizations regarding effective policies, effective distribution of resources, and access to available services and programs; identify supportive services for special populations, including veterans, youth, families, and individuals with behavioral health problems; disseminate information and educate the public about the prevalence and causes of and responses to homelessness; solicit input from the advocacy community, the business community, the faith community, and consumers regarding policy and program development; and determine best practices and models for providing emergency shelter and shelter diversion, including ensuring the health, safety, and security of shelter residents, providing client–centered and trauma–informed support services, and ensuring equal access to protected classes under applicable federal, State, and local civil rights laws.

The Department shall adopt regulations to govern the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies and programs to make homelessness rare and, if it occurs, of brief duration.