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<section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="6-802" title_number="6" title_name="Attorney General" subtitle_number="8" subtitle_name="Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention">
  <level label="a">
    <text>There is a Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention in the Office of the Attorney General.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>The Commission consists of the following members, appointed by the Attorney General:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>15 individuals who represent or advocate on behalf of individuals who are members of a protected class under the State hate crime laws as set forth in Title 10, Subtitle 3 of the Criminal Law Article appointed by the Attorney General with the advice and consent of the Senate;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>one representative of the Maryland Association of Human Relations/Human Rights Agencies;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>one representative of the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>one representative of the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>one representative of the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>one representative of the Maryland Center for School Safety;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="7">
      <text>one representative of the Maryland Sheriffs’ Association;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="8">
      <text>one representative of the Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="9">
      <text>one representative of the Office of the Public Defender; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="10">
      <text>two members of the general public.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The term of an appointed member of the Commission is 4 years.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The terms of the appointed members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Commission on June 1, 2024.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>At the end of a term, an appointed member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <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">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Attorney General, or the Attorney General’s designee, is the chair of the Commission.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The Office of the Attorney General shall provide staff for the Commission.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>In fiscal year 2025 and in each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall include funds in the State budget to implement this section, including funds to:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>employ a full–time assistant Attorney General to staff the Commission; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>operate and maintain the office.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <level label="1">
      <text>A majority of members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The Commission may adopt rules governing the administration and proceedings of the Commission.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="g">
    <text>A member of the Commission:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>may not receive compensation as a member of the Commission; 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="h">
    <text>The Commission shall:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>develop strategies to prevent and respond to hate crime activity; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>evaluate State laws and policies relating to hate crimes.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="i">
    <level label="1">
      <text>On or before December 1 each year, beginning in 2024, the Commission shall report to the State Department of Education on policy recommendations to address hate crimes that occur in schools.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>On or before December 1 each year, beginning in 2024, the Commission shall report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of this article, on legislative recommendations to address hate crimes in the State.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
