<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="1-305" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="9-1-1 Emergency Telephone System">
  <level label="a">
    <text>There is a Maryland 9–1–1 Board in the Maryland Department of Emergency Management.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Board consists of 24 members.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Of the 24 members:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>one nonvoting member shall represent a telephone company operating in the State;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>one nonvoting member shall represent the wireless telephone industry in the State;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>one nonvoting member shall represent the Maryland Department of Emergency Management;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>one member shall represent the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>one member shall represent the Department of State Police;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>one member shall represent the Public Service Commission;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vii">
        <text>one member shall represent the Association of Public–Safety Communications Officials International, Inc.;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="viii">
        <text>two members shall represent county fire services in the State, with one member representing career fire services and one member representing volunteer fire services;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ix">
        <text>one member shall represent law enforcement in the State;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="x">
        <text>one member shall represent emergency management services in the State;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="xi">
        <text>one member shall represent 9–1–1 specialists;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="xii">
        <text>one member shall be appointed by the Secretary of Disabilities and represent individuals with accessibility needs;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="xiii">
        <text>one member shall represent the Emergency Communications Committee of the Maryland Association of Counties;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="xiv">
        <text>one member shall represent directors of public safety answering points for Allegany County, Garrett County, and Washington County;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="xv">
        <text>one member shall represent directors of public safety answering points for Calvert County, Charles County, Frederick County, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and St. Mary’s County;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="xvi">
        <text>one member shall represent directors of public safety answering points for Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, and Howard County;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="xvii">
        <text>one member shall represent directors of public safety answering points for Caroline County, Cecil County, Dorchester County, Kent County, Queen Anne’s County, Somerset County, Talbot County, Wicomico County, and Worcester County;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="xviii">
        <text>one member shall represent the cybersecurity systems in the State, particularly in the field of emergency communication networks;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="xix">
        <text>one member shall represent a county finance office in the State and be recommended by the Maryland Association of Counties;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="xx">
        <text>one member shall represent the Maryland chapter of the National Emergency Numbers Association;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="xxi">
        <text>one member shall represent the geographical information systems in the State; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="xxii">
        <text>two members shall represent the public.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The Governor shall appoint the members with the advice and consent of the Senate.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The term of a member is 4 years and begins on July 1.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The terms of the members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Board on October 1, 2003.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <level label="i">
        <text>If a vacancy occurs after a term has begun, the Governor shall appoint a successor to represent the organization or group in which the vacancy occurs.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>The Board, in consultation with the Maryland Department of Emergency Management, shall develop and establish procedures for:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>filling a vacancy as soon as practicable after the vacancy occurs; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>ensuring candidates for filling a vacancy have appropriate expertise and a commitment to improving 9–1–1 services in the State.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>From among its members, the Board shall elect a chair and vice chair.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Board shall meet as necessary, but at least once each quarter.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>For purposes of the Open Meetings Act, a project site visit or educational field tour may not be considered a meeting of the Board if no organizational business is conducted.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <text>A member of the Board:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>may not receive compensation as a member of the Board; 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 Secretary shall provide staff to the Board, including:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>a coordinator who is responsible for the daily operation of the office of the Board; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>staff to handle the increased duties related to enhanced 9–1–1 service.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
