In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. “Department” means the Department of Service and Civic Innovation. “Secretary” means the Secretary of Service and Civic Innovation.

There is a Department of Service and Civic Innovation, established as a principal department of the State government. The purpose of the Department is to promote service and volunteerism in the State.

The head of the Department is the Secretary of Service and Civic Innovation, who shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Secretary shall take the oath of office required under Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution. The Secretary is a member of the Governor’s Executive Council. The Secretary serves at the pleasure of the Governor and is responsible directly to the Governor. The Secretary shall advise the Governor on all matters assigned to the Department and is responsible for carrying out the Governor’s policies on these matters. The Secretary is responsible for the operation of the Department and shall establish guidelines and procedures to promote the orderly and efficient administration of the Department. The Secretary may establish, reorganize, or abolish areas of responsibility in the Department as necessary to fulfill the duties assigned to the Secretary. The Secretary is entitled to the salary provided in the State budget.

The Secretary may employ a staff in accordance with the State budget. The Secretary may appoint a Deputy Secretary and other professional staff and contract with consultants as authorized representatives. The Secretary shall appoint and remove all staff in accordance with the provisions of the State Personnel and Pensions Article.

The Secretary is responsible for the budget of the office of the Secretary and the budget for each unit in the Department. The Secretary may adopt rules and regulations in carrying out the provisions of law that are within the jurisdiction of the Department. The Secretary may create any advisory council that the Secretary considers necessary and assign appropriate functions to it. The Secretary shall have a seal. The Secretary is responsible for the coordination and direction of all planning that the office of the Secretary initiates. The Secretary shall keep fully apprised of plans, proposals, and projects of each unit in the Department and, except as expressly provided otherwise, may approve, disapprove, or modify any of them. Each unit in the Department shall report to the Secretary as provided in the rules, regulations, or written directives that the Secretary adopts. The Secretary may apply for, receive, and spend grants–in–aid by the federal government or any of its agencies or any other federal funds made available to the Department for use in carrying out the powers and duties of the Secretary or the Department. Except as otherwise provided by law and §§ 21–205(g) and 21–206(e) of this title, the Secretary shall pay all money collected by the Department under this title into the General Fund of the State. The Secretary shall carry out and enforce the provisions of this title, the rules and regulations of the Department, and any other provisions of law that relate to the Secretary or the Department.

The Secretary shall: promote service and volunteerism in the State by partnering with the federal government, local governments, and nongovernmental entities to fulfill the purposes of this title; and identify, develop, and implement initiatives to increase service and volunteerism in the State to create opportunities and strengthen communities. The Department shall: promote the use of volunteers in State and local government, employers, and nonprofit organizations; coordinate and oversee the activities of: the Maryland Corps Program under Subtitle 2 of this title; and the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism; develop and implement model programs for a statewide clearinghouse, skill banks, or information centers for volunteers and projects in the State; develop and implement volunteer recognition events for volunteers in State programs and provide technical assistance and support for recognition events in nonpublic programs to increase the visibility and status of volunteers and their accomplishments; administer: the Maryland Corps Program under Subtitle 2 of this title; and any other volunteer program recommended or designated by the Governor or otherwise established by law; liaise with national, state, and local volunteerism groups to obtain information on federal, state, local, and private resources that may enhance volunteer projects within the State; conduct studies and make recommendations to improve volunteer recruitment and training, volunteer retention, and accountability of volunteer programs; provide staff support for the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism; and establish a process through which a person may recommend a vocational, workforce training, or job placement program for inclusion in the database developed and maintained under § 15–160 of the Health – General Article; and if appropriate, forward a recommendation made under item (i) of this item to the Maryland Department of Health for inclusion in the database.

The Attorney General is legal adviser to the Department. The Attorney General shall assign to the Department the number of assistant attorneys general authorized by law to be assigned to the Department and any additional assistant attorneys general necessary to give effective legal advice and counsel. The Attorney General also shall designate an assistant attorney general as counsel to the Department.