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<section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="7-112" title_number="7" title_name="Individuals With Disabilities" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Department of Disabilities">
  <level label="a">
    <text>There is an Advisory Stakeholder Group on Autism–Related Needs.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>The Advisory Stakeholder Group on Autism–Related Needs consists of the following members:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>one member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>two members of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>the State Superintendent of Schools, or the State Superintendent’s designee;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>the Secretary of Disabilities, or the Secretary’s designee;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>the Secretary of Human Services, or the Secretary’s designee;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>the Secretary of Health, or the Secretary’s designee;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="7">
      <text>the State Coordinator for Autism Strategy;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="8">
      <text>one representative of the Maryland Speech–Language–Hearing Association;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="9">
      <text>one representative of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="10">
      <text>one representative of the Maryland Occupational Therapy Association;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="11">
      <text>one representative of The ARC Maryland;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="12">
      <text>one representative of Pathfinders for Autism;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="13">
      <text>one representative of Itineris;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="14">
      <text>the following members, appointed by the Governor:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>a school psychologist;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>a physical therapist;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>a pediatrician;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>two parents of children with autism;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>two self–advocates with autism;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>one representative of public universities in the State;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vii">
        <text>one representative of local public school systems in the State; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="viii">
        <text>one representative from the business community; and</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="15">
      <text>any additional members with expertise or experience in autism–related needs as considered necessary, appointed by the State Coordinator for Autism Strategy.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>The State Coordinator for Autism Strategy shall chair the Advisory Stakeholder Group on Autism–Related Needs.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>The Department shall provide staff for the Advisory Stakeholder Group on Autism–Related Needs.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>In appointing members under subsection (b) of this section, the appointing authority shall consider the geographical diversity of the State so that the composition of the Advisory Stakeholder Group on Autism–Related Needs reflects the various communities of the State.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <text>A member of the Advisory Stakeholder Group on Autism–Related Needs:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>may not receive compensation as a member of the Advisory Stakeholder Group on Autism–Related Needs; 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">
    <text>The Advisory Stakeholder Group on Autism–Related Needs shall work with the State Coordinator for Autism Strategy to:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>identify and evaluate existing services for individuals with autism and their families;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>develop a strategic plan for addressing autism–related needs in the State;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>promote, monitor, and evaluate implementation of the strategic plan; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>recommend and implement changes to the strategic plan.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="h">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Advisory Stakeholder Group on Autism–Related Needs shall hold its initial meeting on or before December 31, 2020.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Beginning in 2021, the Advisory Stakeholder Group on Autism–Related Needs shall meet quarterly each calendar year.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
