This section does not apply in Baltimore City.
Each local department shall have a local board.
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.
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.
The other members of the local board shall be appointed by the local governing authority.
The local governing authority shall seek out and appoint individuals who:
have a high degree of interest, capacity, and objectivity; and
in the aggregate, give a countywide representative character to the local board.
On July 1 of each year, each local board shall select a chairman.
A member of a local board:
may not receive compensation; but
is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.
Except as provided in subsubparagraph 2 of this subparagraph, the term of an appointed member is 3 years.
In Charles County, the term of an appointed member is 4 years.
A term expires on June 30 of the year of expiration.
At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed.
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.
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.
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:
the member may be considered to have resigned; and
the chairman may declare that a vacancy exists.
This subsection does not apply to an ex officio member of a local board.
If a member of a local board is elected or appointed to political or public office:
the local governing authority may consider the member to have resigned; and
the chairman shall declare that a vacancy exists.
The Baltimore City Social Services Commission shall be appointed in accordance with Article VII, § 58 of the Charter of Baltimore City, 1996 Edition.
The duties and functions of a local board include:
to advise the local director as to the local application of State policies or procedures;
to be well informed on local departmental activities;
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;
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;
to review and transmit to the Secretary and the local governing authority:
the annual report of the local director on the activities of the local department; and
any changes in policies or procedures the local board recommends;
to review and make recommendations regarding the annual estimate of funds needed for social services and public assistance purposes in the county;
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;
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
to present to the Department:
suggested new services that the local board approves, regardless of whether the recommendation originated from the local director or the local board; and
the recommendations of both the local director and the local board;
to take active steps to secure the appropriation of local funds by the local governing authority to meet needs that are:
not financed by or available through any other federal, State, or local plan, project, or program; and
not in conflict with the State plan;
to meet with the Secretary periodically at the request of the Secretary or the local board;
to establish and maintain effective liaison with the local governing authority;
in conjunction with the Department, to serve as an advocate for social services and public assistance programs on the local, State, and federal levels;
to work to identify private, State, and federal grant sources for social services and public assistance programs;
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
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.