Maryland Health - General Section 7-204

      (a)      To advance the public interest, it is the policy of this State:

            (1)      To eliminate over a 5-year period the number of mentally retarded and nonretarded developmentally disabled individuals who are on the waiting list for appropriate community services and programs; and

            (2)      To develop alternative ways and means to finance and expand existing services and programs within this time period.

      (b)      (1)      There is a Community Services Advisory Commission within the Administration.

            (2)      The Commission consists of:

                  (i)      1 member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate, and 1 member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

                  (ii)      The Secretary or a designee;

                  (iii)      The Director;

                  (iv)      The Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management or a designee;

                  (v)      1 representative from the State Department of Education; and

                  (vi)      2 representatives from organizations that provide community program services, 2 representatives from the financial community, 2 representatives from advocacy-related organizations, and 1 member of the general public, appointed by the Governor.

      (c)      The Commission shall:

            (1)      Develop a systematic 5-year plan for:

                  (i)      Identifying alternative funding mechanisms, including uses of State excess properties and proceeds derived from any sales or leases of the properties, which enable community programs to serve all eligible mentally retarded and nonretarded developmentally disabled individuals;

                  (ii)      Providing incentives to facilitate the establishment of new service providers for purposes consistent with this title;

                  (iii)      Assuring appropriate levels of program accountability, monitoring, and quality control;

                  (iv)      Evaluating appropriate personnel-related issues including compensation, recruitment, retention, professional training, and development; and

                  (v)      Determining the effectiveness of any cost reimbursement system implemented by the Department and evaluating the need to maintain or modify the funding level in subsequent years;

            (2)      Monitor any implementation of the 5-year plan and make recommendations on how to facilitate further implementation; and

            (3)      Review Administration activities related to its services and programs.

      (d)      By July 1 of each year, the Commission shall:

            (1)      Update the systematic plan; and

            (2)      Report any findings and recommendations resulting from the annual update, the monitoring of plan implementation, and the review of Administration activities to the Governor, appropriate State agencies, and, subject to § 2-1246 of the State Government Article, the Legislative Policy Committee.