# State Government (GSG)

## Title 9. Miscellaneous Executive Agencies

### Subtitle 24. Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

#### Section 9-2411

(a)

  (1) The Board consists of 11 members appointed by the Governor.

  (2) Of the 11 members:

    (i) one shall be a member of the Maryland Association of the Deaf;

    (ii) one shall be a deafblind individual;

    (iii) one shall be a deaf individual;

    (iv) three shall be interpreters for the deaf who hold a license under this part;

    (v) one shall be an interpreter for the deaf who holds a license under this part and owns or is affiliated with an interpreter agency;

    (vi) two shall be affiliated with an entity that operates and implements deaf services in an educational, legal, or medical setting;

    (vii) the Secretary of Disabilities, or the Secretary's designee, as an ex officio nonvoting member; and

    (viii) the Secretary of Labor, or the Secretary's designee, as an ex officio nonvoting member.

  (3)

    (i) The Governor shall appoint the members from a list of names submitted from a nomination process established by the Office.

    (ii) The nomination process shall include outreach to underrepresented deaf, deafblind, and interpreter communities.

    (iii) To the extent practicable, the members appointed under this section shall reflect the racial and geographic diversity of the State.

(b) Each member shall:

  (1) be a resident of the State; and

  (2) except for the ex officio nonvoting members and the members under subsection (a)(2)(vi) of this section, be proficient in American Sign Language.

(c) Before taking office, each member appointed to the Board shall take the oath or affirmation required by Article I, Sec. 9 of the Maryland Constitution.

(d)

  (1) The term of a Board member is 2 years, beginning on the date of appointment.

  (2) At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

  (3) A member appointed after a term has begun serves only for the remainder of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

  (4) A member may not serve more than three consecutive full terms.

(e)

  (1) The Governor may remove a member for incompetence, misconduct, neglect of duties, two or more successive unexcused absences, or other sufficient cause.

  (2) The Governor shall remove a member who:

    (i) ceases to meet the requirements under which the member was appointed under subsection (a) of this section; or

    (ii) fails to attend at least 50% of the regularly scheduled meetings of the Board during any 12-month period.

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Md. Code Ann., State Gov't (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)