Sec. 01.01.2013.04. Governor's Commission for Effective Community Inclusion of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

A. There is a Maryland Commission for Effective Community Inclusion of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

B. Membership.The Commission consists of the following voting members:

(1) One member appointed by the President of the Senate;

(2) One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates;

(3) The Secretary of the Department of Disabilities, or the Secretary’s designee;

(4) The Superintendent of the Maryland State Police, or the Superintendent’s designee;

(5) The Secretary of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, or the Secretary’s designee;

(6) The Executive Director of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, or the Executive Director’s designee;

(7) The Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services, or the Secretary’s designee;

(8) The Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, or the Secretary’s designee;

(9) The Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention, or the Executive Director’s designee;

(10) The Executive Director of the Police and Correctional Training Commissions, or the Executive Director’s designee;

(11) One representative from a State’s Attorney’s office;

(12) One representative from a city or county police department;

(13) One representative from a sheriff’s department;

(14) One representative of a Maryland organization that advocates for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities;

(15) One representative of a national organization that advocates for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities;

(16) One individual, a self-advocate, with an intellectual or developmental disability; and

(17) Up to five members, no more than three of whom shall be full-time State employees, as appointed by the Governor.

C. The members identified in Sections B(11) through (17) shall be appointed by the Governor and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

D. Members appointed by the Governor may serve up to two consecutive, three-year terms.

E. The Governor shall designate the Chair from among the members.

F. In the event of a vacancy on the Commission, the Governor shall appoint a successor to fill the remainder of the term.

G. Procedures.

(1) Members of the Commission may not receive any compensation for their services but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, in accordance with the Standard State Travel Regulations, and as provided in the State budget.

(2) The majority of voting members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business.

(3) The Commission may adopt such other procedures as may be necessary to ensure the orderly transaction of business, including the creation of committees or task forces.

(4) The Chair may, with the consent of the Commission, designate additional individuals, including interested citizens, elected officials, educators, or specialists with relevant expertise, to serve on any committee or task force.

(5) The Commission may consult with State agencies to obtain such technical assistance and advice as it deems necessary to complete its duties.All Executive Department agencies shall cooperate with and assist the Commission in carrying out its responsibilities.

(6) The Commission shall meet at least four times per year.

H. Purposes.The Commission shall have the following objectives:

(1) Develop and issue recommendations about the types of policies, guidelines, or best practices that Maryland should adopt regarding law enforcement officials, paramedics, and other first responders’ responses to situations involving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities;

(2) Develop and issue recommendations about the types of statewide training standards that Maryland should adopt to educate individuals in positions of authority, particularly those in public sector positions such as law enforcement officials, paramedics, and other first responders, about the best approaches for safely managing situations involving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.If appropriate, the recommendations should include the method by which the standards would be implemented;

(3) Develop a coordinated, collaborative, and comprehensive strategy for State and local officials, disability advocates, and other interested parties to ensure enhanced responses to situations involving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities;

(4) In developing the strategy in paragraph (3), consider all available types of assistance that would be helpful, including the expansion of Crisis Intervention Teams and Mobile Crisis Teams; and

(5) To consider other related matters as the Commission deems necessary.

I. Reports and Recommendations.

(1) The Commission shall issue an initial report addressing the purposes listed in Section H.

(2) The Commission may provide recommendations in the initial report as appropriate.

(3) The initial report on the work of the Commission shall be submitted to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Delegates, on January 9, 2014.

(4) The Commission shall issue an annual report addressing the purposes listed in Section H to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Delegates, on December 3rd of each year starting in 2014, and it may issue additional reports and recommendations as appropriate.

Effective date: September 17, 2013