Sec. 01.01.2019.06. (Amends Executive Order 01.01.2019.02) Commission to Study Mental and Behavioral Health in Maryland

A. Establishment. There is a Governor’s Commission to Study Mental and Behavioral Health in Maryland (the “Commission”).

B. Membership.

(1) The Commission shall consist of the following members:

(a) The Lieutenant Governor;

(b) Two appointees of the President of the Maryland Senate;

(c) Two appointees of the Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates;

(d) A representative of the Judicial system of the State, appointed by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals;

(e) The Secretary of the Department of Health, or the Secretary’s designee;

(f) The Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health, or the Secretary’s designee;

(g) The Secretary of the State Police, or the Secretary’s designee;

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

(i) The Secretary of Human Services, or the Secretary’s designee;

(j) The Maryland Insurance Commissioner, or the Commissioner’s designee;

(k) The Executive Director of the Opioid Operational Command Center;

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

(m) The State Superintendent of Schools, or the Superintendent’s designee; and

(n) Six public members, to be appointed by the Governor, representing a range of experience related to mental health, including lived experiences, clinical expertise, work within the criminal justice system, and the provision of social services.

(2) The members serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

(3) Staff members from the Offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention, and the Maryland Department of Health will also be regular participants.

(4) The Chair may also invite other units of State or U.S. government, including law enforcement agencies, to designate representatives for participation.

C. Duties. The Commission shall:

(1) Advise and assist the Governor in improving access to a continuum of mental-health services across the State;

(2) Consider the findings of the Maryland Behavioral Health Advisory Council 2017 Strategic Plan: 24/7 Crisis Walk-in and Mobile Crisis Team Services;

(3) Conduct regional summits in various parts of the State to study how mental illness may impact parts of the State differently;

(4) Submit an interim report no later than six months from the date of this Executive Order on its findings relating to access to mental-health treatment services in the State; and

(5) Submit an annual report to the Governor on or before December 31, that includes, but is not limited to, recommendations for policy, regulations, or legislation to address the following:

(a) Improving the statewide, comprehensive crisis response system; and

(b) Ensuring parity of resources to meet mental-health needs.

D. Procedures.

(1) The Lieutenant Governor shall be Chair of the Commission. The Chair shall:

(a) Oversee the implementation of this Executive Order and the work of the Commission;

(b) Determine the Commission’s agenda; and

(c) Identify additional support needs of the Commission.

(2) The Commission shall convene within 90 days of this Executive Order and meet as frequently as necessary to satisfy the deadlines established herein.

(3) A majority of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business.

(4) The Commission may adopt other procedures as necessary to ensure the orderly transaction of business.

Effective date: May 28, 2019