<section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="3-101" title_number="3" title_name="Local Departments of Social Services" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions"> <level label="a"> <text>In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Department” means the Department of Human Services.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>“Local board” means the board of social services in a county.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Local board” includes the commission of social services in Baltimore City.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Local department” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a local department of social services created or continued in a county under § 3–201 of this title; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in Montgomery County, the Montgomery County government.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Local director” means the director of a local department.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Local governing authority” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in references to executive authority:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the board of county commissioners of a county that does not have a charter form of government;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the highest executive authority of a county that has a charter form of government; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the Mayor of Baltimore City;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in references to purely legislative authority:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the board of county commissioners of a county that does not have a charter form of government;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the county council of a county that has a charter form of government; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the City Council of Baltimore City; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>in references to combined executive and legislative authority:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the board of county commissioners of a county that does not have a charter form of government;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the county council and the highest executive authority of a county that has a charter form of government; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Secretary” means the Secretary of Human Services.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="3-201" title_number="3" title_name="Local Departments of Social Services" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection does not apply in Montgomery County.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Department shall create or continue a local department in each county.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A local department shall be referred to as the department of social services preceded by the name of the county.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a local department shall have a local board and a local director appointed in accordance with this title.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>In Baltimore City, the local department shall have a commission of social services.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="3-202" title_number="3" title_name="Local Departments of Social Services" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>Administrative costs that a local department incurs in carrying out this subtitle and Subtitle 3 of this title shall be paid with State or federal funds as the Department prescribes.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section does not prohibit a county from appropriating additional funds for administrative costs of a local department.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="3-301" title_number="3" title_name="Local Departments of Social Services" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Local Directors"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “local executive authority” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>except as provided in item (2) of this subsection, the county executive of a county that has a charter form of government;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the County Council of Talbot County;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the county commissioners of a county that does not have a charter form of government; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the Mayor of Baltimore City.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>In each county, the local director shall be appointed with the concurrence of the Secretary and the appropriate local executive authority or its designee.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The local executive authority or its designee shall meet and consult with the local board before the appointment of the local director.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A local director shall have:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a master’s degree in social work or a related field;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>at least 5 years of professional employment in social services administration or supervision; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>any other qualifications and training that the Secretary requires by regulation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Secretary, the local executive authority or its designee, and the local board shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>at least annually, evaluate the local director in writing; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>jointly review their respective evaluations with the local director.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In consultation with the local board, the local governing authority of each county shall establish by ordinance or resolution the process for evaluating the local director.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Secretary shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>establish by regulation the process by which the Secretary will evaluate the local directors; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>notify the local board of any significant deficiencies in the administration of the local department.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>A local director may be removed from office with the concurrence of the Secretary and the appropriate local executive authority or its designee.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The appropriate local executive authority or its designee shall meet and consult with the local board before the removal of a local director.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>A local director shall be in the executive service or management service of the State Personnel Management System.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each deputy director and assistant director of the Baltimore City Department of Social Services shall be in the management service of the State Personnel Management System.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Except as provided in § 3–403.1 of this title, the Director of the Department of Social Services in Montgomery County is a member of the Employees’ Pension System.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="3-302" title_number="3" title_name="Local Departments of Social Services" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Local Directors"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>This section does not apply in Montgomery County.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except for child support enforcement, a local director shall administer the social service and public assistance activities in the county in accordance with Title 4, Subtitle 2 and Title 5, Subtitle 2 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A local director has a general administrative responsibility to the Social Services Administration and the Family Investment Administration.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The responsibilities of a local director include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>long-range and short-range planning for the functions and objectives of the local department;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>administering the operations of the local department;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>except as provided in § 3-301(f)(2) of this subtitle or as otherwise provided by law, appointing personnel of the local department in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>improving administrative and social work practices and procedures;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>submitting periodic reports and evaluations that the Social Services Administration and the Family Investment Administration require;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>submitting an annual report to the local board; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>undertaking any other responsibilities required by the Social Services Administration, the Family Investment Administration, or applicable laws.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="3-303" title_number="3" title_name="Local Departments of Social Services" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Local Directors"> <text>In Montgomery County, the local director shall act as the agent of the Secretary to ensure that Montgomery County complies with responsibilities under grant agreements entered into in accordance with § 3-403 of this title.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="3-401" title_number="3" title_name="Local Departments of Social Services" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Montgomery County"> <text>It is the intent of the General Assembly that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the purpose of this subtitle is to provide better integrated, more efficient, and accountable human services delivery in Montgomery County by the State and county; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>implementation of this subtitle shall be cost neutral to both the State and Montgomery County.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="3-402" title_number="3" title_name="Local Departments of Social Services" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Montgomery County"> <level label="a"> <text>In Montgomery County, the Montgomery County government shall administer State social service and public assistance programs that in other counties are administered by a local department.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The administration of State programs by Montgomery County is governed by State and federal regulations.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Montgomery County shall administer State child welfare programs in the same manner as the programs are administered in other counties.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The unit of the Montgomery County government that administers the programs under paragraph (1) of this subsection is exempt from licensing requirements in the same manner as local departments in other counties.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="3-403" title_number="3" title_name="Local Departments of Social Services" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Montgomery County"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to § 3–403.1 of this subtitle, the Secretary shall enter into a grant agreement with the Montgomery County government for the administration in Montgomery County of programs administered in other counties by local departments.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The grant agreement shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>provide for payment to Montgomery County for the costs of administering State programs at State funding rates as provided in § 3-202 of this title:</text> <level label="i"> <text>including salaries, overhead, general liability coverage, workers’ compensation, and employee benefits; but</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>excluding amounts attributable to county salaries or benefits that exceed comparable State salaries or benefits;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>require the State to pay for State accrued leave; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>utilize the same budget categories as appropriations in the State budget for local departments in other counties.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Notwithstanding any other law, the proportion of State and federal funds paid in fiscal year 1997 to the Montgomery County government under this section relative to the funds provided by the Secretary to all local departments may not be less than the proportion of funds disbursed in fiscal year 1996 to the Montgomery County Department of Social Services.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>After fiscal year 1997, the amount of the grant to the Montgomery County government shall be proportionally adjusted each year to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>reflect changes in case loads, the number of children in poverty, and any other relevant cost factors the parties agree to; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>ensure that the grant is equitable in relation to the funds provided to all local departments.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="3-403.1" title_number="3" title_name="Local Departments of Social Services" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Montgomery County"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies only to the Director of the Department of Social Services in Montgomery County who was a participant in the Montgomery County Retirement System.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Director of the Department of Social Services in Montgomery County who is transferred into the State Personnel Management System as an employee of the Social Services Administration of the Maryland Department of Human Services, may elect to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>remain as a participant in the Montgomery County Retirement System; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>become an enrollee in the Employees’ Pension System of the State of Maryland.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>If the Director of the Department of Social Services in Montgomery County elects to remain as a participant in the Montgomery County Retirement System, the election remains in effect only as long as the employee remains employed by the Social Services Administration of the Maryland Department of Human Services.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the Director of the Department of Social Services in Montgomery County transfers to another position in State service, the employee shall become an enrollee of the Employees’ Pension System of the State of Maryland.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>While the Director of the Department of Social Services in Montgomery County remains a participant in the Montgomery County Retirement System, the State central payroll bureau shall deduct from the Director’s biweekly salary an employee contribution that equals the Director’s salary multiplied by the required employee contribution rate as set forth in the Montgomery County Code.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The State shall pick up within the meaning of § 414(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, the employee contributions deducted under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Until the date that the Director of the Department of Social Services in Montgomery County leaves service in the Social Services Administration of the Maryland Department of Human Services, the Department of Human Services shall pay on a quarterly basis to the Montgomery County Retirement System:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the amount deducted by the State central payroll bureau from the Director’s biweekly salary for that quarter as provided under subsection (c)(3) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>an employer contribution for that quarter equal to the total of the Director’s salary subject to a deduction under subsection (c)(3) of this section multiplied by the employer contribution rate determined by the Department of Human Services under paragraph (3) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On or before May 15 of each year, the Chief Administrative Officer of Montgomery County shall certify to the Department of Human Services the employer and employee contribution rates for pension benefits determined for the Montgomery County Retirement System for the next fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the employer contribution rate certified under paragraph (2) of this subsection is greater than the employer contribution rate paid by the State for State employees under the State Personnel Management System, the Department of Human Services may limit the employer contribution rate to the employer contribution rate paid by the State for State employees under the State Personnel Management System.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>The Director of the Department of Social Services in Montgomery County covered under this section who elects to remain in the Montgomery County Retirement System may receive employee health benefits equal to those received by employees under the Montgomery County Retirement System.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the Director elects to receive health benefits under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the State shall reimburse Montgomery County each month an amount equal to the State’s contribution for those health benefits.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>A retiree covered under this section who elects to remain in the Montgomery County Retirement System may receive retiree health benefits equal to those received by retirees under the Montgomery County Retirement System.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If a retiree elects to receive health benefits under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the State shall reimburse Montgomery County each month an amount equal to the State’s contribution for those health benefits.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="3-404" title_number="3" title_name="Local Departments of Social Services" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Montgomery County"> <level label="a"> <text>The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services is considered to be one agency for purposes of confidentiality provisions of State law.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The use and release of information concerning recipients of State social service and public assistance programs by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services is governed by the confidentiality provisions of State law, including Title 1, Subtitle 2 of this article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="3-405" title_number="3" title_name="Local Departments of Social Services" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Montgomery County"> <text>The Secretary and the County Executive of Montgomery County shall consult with each other at least every other year to ensure that the objectives of the social service and public assistance programs administered by the Montgomery County government are consistent with the objectives of the State social service and public assistance programs.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="3-406" title_number="3" title_name="Local Departments of Social Services" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Montgomery County"> <level label="a"> <text>This section is not a waiver of immunity under the Eleventh Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the State shall pay any judgment awarded against Montgomery County or an employee of Montgomery County that arises out of an action commenced or prosecuted in a court of the United States relating to the administration and implementation of State programs described in this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State may not pay a judgment awarded against an employee of Montgomery County under this section for an act or omission committed:</text> <level label="i"> <text>outside the scope of employment; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>with malice.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="3-501" title_number="3" title_name="Local Departments of Social Services" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Local Boards"> <level label="a"> <text>This section does not apply in Baltimore City.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each local department shall have a local board.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A local board consists of at least 9 but no more than 13 members as provided by local law enacted by the local governing authority.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>On July 1 of each year, each local governing authority shall designate one member of the local governing authority to serve as an ex officio member of the local board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The other members of the local board shall be appointed by the local governing authority.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The local governing authority shall seek out and appoint individuals who:</text> <level label="1"> <text>have a high degree of interest, capacity, and objectivity; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in the aggregate, give a countywide representative character to the local board.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>On July 1 of each year, each local board shall select a chairman.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A member of a local board:</text> <level label="1"> <text>may not receive compensation; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in subsubparagraph 2 of this subparagraph, the term of an appointed member is 3 years.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In Charles County, the term of an appointed member is 4 years.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A term expires on June 30 of the year of expiration.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed.</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Once an appointed member of a local board serves two consecutive full terms, the member is ineligible for reappointment for a period of 1 year.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a vacancy occurs during the term of a member, the local governing authority shall appoint or designate a successor to serve for the remainder of the term.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>If a member of a local board fails to attend at least 50% of the local board’s meetings during a period of twelve consecutive months:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the member may be considered to have resigned; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the chairman may declare that a vacancy exists.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection does not apply to an ex officio member of a local board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a member of a local board is elected or appointed to political or public office:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the local governing authority may consider the member to have resigned; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the chairman shall declare that a vacancy exists.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="3-502" title_number="3" title_name="Local Departments of Social Services" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Local Boards"> <text>The Baltimore City Social Services Commission shall be appointed in accordance with Article VII, § 58 of the Charter of Baltimore City, 1996 Edition.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="3-503" title_number="3" title_name="Local Departments of Social Services" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Local Boards"> <text>The duties and functions of a local board include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>to advise the local director as to the local application of State policies or procedures;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>to be well informed on local departmental activities;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>to communicate to the residents of the county, broad and comprehensive information as to the objectives, policies, programs, and problems of local social services and public assistance administration;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>to review the periodic evaluation of the local department prepared by the Department and consult with the local director as to the proper implementation of the recommendations and any recommendations made by the local board as a result of its evaluation of the local department;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>to review and transmit to the Secretary and the local governing authority:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the annual report of the local director on the activities of the local department; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>any changes in policies or procedures the local board recommends;</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>to review and make recommendations regarding the annual estimate of funds needed for social services and public assistance purposes in the county;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <level label="i"> <text>to consult with the local director regarding any new service that might be instituted by the local director or the local board to meet an unmet need in the county;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>to approve or disapprove the local director’s evaluation of the readiness of the local department to take on the new service and the propriety of the new service within the State plan; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>to present to the Department:</text> <level label="1"> <text>suggested new services that the local board approves, regardless of whether the recommendation originated from the local director or the local board; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the recommendations of both the local director and the local board;</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="8"> <text>to take active steps to secure the appropriation of local funds by the local governing authority to meet needs that are:</text> <level label="i"> <text>not financed by or available through any other federal, State, or local plan, project, or program; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>not in conflict with the State plan;</text> </level> </level> <level label="9"> <text>to meet with the Secretary periodically at the request of the Secretary or the local board;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>to establish and maintain effective liaison with the local governing authority;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>in conjunction with the Department, to serve as an advocate for social services and public assistance programs on the local, State, and federal levels;</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>to work to identify private, State, and federal grant sources for social services and public assistance programs;</text> </level> <level label="13"> <text>in conjunction with the Department, to develop and implement an educational and public relations program for public and elected officials on the local, State, and federal level; and</text> </level> <level label="14"> <text>in conjunction with the Department and the local executive authority or its designee, to evaluate the local director and make recommendations based on the evaluation to the Secretary.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="3-601" title_number="3" title_name="Local Departments of Social Services" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Provisions"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the attorney to, or an attorney designated by, the local governing authority in each county or an attorney employed by the State shall institute and defend each civil action in which the local department is a party.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In Cecil County, the local department may secure the services of attorneys to represent it in all legal matters affecting the local department.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Actions in which the local department is a party shall be instituted in the name of the local department.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The court may award attorney’s fees to an attorney representing a local department in an action to recover:</text> <level label="i"> <text>from the estate of a recipient of any type of public assistance, the amount paid to the recipient during the recipient’s lifetime; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>from a recipient of any type of public assistance, the amount paid to the recipient before the recipient receives any property or income in excess of the amount stated in the recipient’s application for assistance and in excess of the recipient’s need.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The amount of fees awarded by the court shall be deducted from the gross amount of the recovery in the action.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The net amount of the recovery shall be turned over to the local department to be divided among the State, the county, and the federal government in proportion to the amount paid by each.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as otherwise provided, an attorney who provides any other legal services on behalf of a local department shall be paid the fees the Department sets.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Attorney’s fees under this subsection shall be paid out of regular administrative funds.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="3-602" title_number="3" title_name="Local Departments of Social Services" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>The Office of the Inspector General in the Department shall conduct or contract for a financial and compliance audit of each local department at an interval of 4 years unless the Office of the Inspector General determines, on a case–by–case basis, that an audit occur at an interval of 3 years.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In determining the audit interval for a local department, the Office of the Inspector General shall take into consideration:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the materiality and risk profile of the local department’s programs and fiscal activities;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the nature and extent of prior audit findings of the local department; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>any other factor related to risk.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The audit shall comply with the auditing standards issued by the Institute of Internal Auditors.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A written report of the audit findings shall be prepared and distributed to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the local board; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the local governing authority.</text> </level> </level> </section>