In this subtitle, “Commission” means the Commission on Responsible Fatherhood.

There is a Commission on Responsible Fatherhood. The Commission: is independent; but is located in the Department for budgetary and administrative purposes only.

The purposes of the Commission are to: raise awareness of the problems created when a child is raised without the presence of a responsible father; identify obstacles that impede or prevent the involvement of responsible fathers in the lives of their children; and identify strategies that encourage responsible fatherhood.

The Commission consists of the following 18 members appointed by the Governor: the Secretary of Budget and Management; the Secretary of Health; the Secretary of Human Services; the Secretary of Labor; the State Superintendent of Schools; the Special Secretary of the Governor’s Office for Children or the Special Secretary’s designee; one judge assigned to the family division of a circuit court nominated by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals; one member of the Senate of Maryland nominated by the President of the Senate; one member of the House of Delegates nominated by the Speaker of the House; three individuals with extensive programmatic or academic experience with noncustodial fathers and their children; three individuals with an interest or expertise in matters pertaining to noncustodial fathers and their children, including representatives of community, parent, or religious groups or organizations; two representatives of local government in areas with a significant number of noncustodial fathers; and one noncustodial father. The term of a member appointed under subsection (a)(10), (11), or (12) of this section is 3 years. The term of the member appointed under subsection (a)(13) of this section is 2 years. The terms of members appointed under subsection (a)(10), (11), (12), and (13) of this section shall be staggered as required by the terms in effect for those members on October 1, 2007. A member who is appointed to a position with a fixed term after the term has begun shall serve only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies. At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies. A member appointed under subsection (a)(1) through (6) of this section may designate in writing an alternate to represent the member and exercise the member’s power to vote.

From among the members of the Commission, the Governor shall designate a chair for a 2-year term.

A majority of the members then serving on the Commission is a quorum. The Commission shall determine the times and places of its meetings. A member of the Commission: may not receive compensation as a member of the Commission; but is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.

The Commission shall determine any necessary operating procedures, including establishing subcommittees or work groups utilizing the expertise of persons who are not members of the Commission.

Subject to the approval of the Governor, the Commission shall hire a staff director as provided in the State budget. Subject to the advice and consent of the chair of the Commission, the staff director shall hire additional staff as provided in the State budget to perform the duties that the Commission considers appropriate. The staff is responsible to the Secretary solely for routine administrative purposes. Members of the Commission may designate staff from their respective units to assist the Commission.

The Commission shall: conduct a thorough examination of the extent and implications of the absence of responsible fathers from families; strongly advocate to ensure the development of a coordinated and comprehensive approach to the social, educational, economic, health, and legal problems of responsible fatherhood; promote interdepartmental and public and private policy and program collaboration and coordination; collect data and perform analyses on efforts to increase responsible fatherhood; promote the development of statewide policies to address the issues preventing fathers from participating in raising their children; monitor statewide progress towards reducing the number of noncustodial fathers; promote and encourage wide community input, communication, and education regarding responsible fatherhood; and advise local public and private agencies seeking to mobilize local efforts to promote responsible fatherhood. To carry out its duties under subsection (a)(1) of this section, the Commission shall: hold hearings at which persons, organizations, and agencies with an interest in responsible fatherhood may present their views; conduct meetings, discussions, and examinations as necessary to gather information on the laws and services relating to responsible fatherhood in this and other states; identify and examine the limitations and problems associated with existing laws, programs, and services relating to responsible fatherhood; and examine the financing and delivery of services relating to responsible fatherhood. In cooperation with appropriate State and local units and in accordance with State and federal law, the Commission shall foster plans to enhance the coordination of federal– and State–funded programs and services regarding responsible fatherhood. The Commission shall develop a coordinated comprehensive statewide plan, including estimates of necessary public and private funding, for: increasing the participation of fathers in raising their children; and improving services to noncustodial fathers. In accordance with the statewide plan, the Commission shall recommend to the Governor distribution of community incentive grants concerning responsible fatherhood from funds provided in the State budget for this purpose or from grants or private donations, giving priority to innovative projects that: promote the establishment of a coordinated network of services for noncustodial fathers; and demonstrate a high level of commitment to the project by making available nonstate funds, personnel, and facilities.

The Commission may not operate any programs or provide any direct services.