[Adopted by Bill No. 87-43[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This bill also repealed former Art. VI, Mental Health Advisory Board, adopted by Bill No. 78-3.
There is hereby established the Harford County Mental Health and Addictions Advisory Council.
[Amended by Bill Nos. 99-31; 04-38; 07-50]
A. 
The Council shall consist of:
(1) 
As ex officio members:
(a) 
The County Health Officer.
(b) 
The Regional Office on Mental Health Core Service Agency of Harford County, Inc. Liaison.
(c) 
The regional representative of the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Administration.
(d) 
The County Alcohol Treatment Coordinator.
(e) 
The County Drug Abuse Treatment Program Coordinator.
(f) 
The County Adolescent Drug Abuse Treatment Coordinator.
(g) 
The Director of the Office on Mental health Core Service Agency of Harford County, Inc.
(h) 
Manager for the Harford County Office of Drug Control Policy.
(i) 
A judge of the District Court for Harford County.
(j) 
A judge of the Circuit Court for Harford County.
(k) 
The States Attorney for Harford County or his/her designee.
(l) 
The Public Defender for Harford County or his/her designee.
(2) 
The following members, appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council:
(a) 
A representative of the County Executive.
(b) 
A representative of the County public schools.
(c) 
A representative of the Local Department of Social Services.
(d) 
A representative of the Local Juvenile Services Agency.
(e) 
A representative of the County Department of Parks and Recreation.
(f) 
A representative of the State Division of Parole and Probation.
(g) 
A representative of a law enforcement agency.
(h) 
An individual who has received or is receiving mental health care.
(i) 
A representative of the Local Council on Alcoholism.
(j) 
Two employees of substance abuse treatment programs in the County.
(k) 
An individual who is a relative of a mental health care recipient.
(l) 
Three of the public who have an interest in the provision of mental health services in the County.
(m) 
Two members of the public who have an interest in the problems of substance abuse.
(n) 
A representative of the clergy.
(o) 
A practicing physician.
(p) 
A mental health professional who is not a physician.
(q) 
A representative of the Mental Health Association.
(r) 
A representative of the legal profession.
(3) 
A member of the County Council, appointed by the County Council.
(4) 
A representative of the residential unit of a state mental health facility that serves the County, appointed by the Director of the Mental Hygiene Administration in accordance with § 10-309(a)(2) of the Health-General Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
B. 
The term of an appointed member is 3 years and begins on July 1. At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies. A member who serves 2 consecutive three-year terms may not be reappointed for 3 years after completion of those terms. The terms of the appointed members are staggered as required by the terms provided for the members on January 1, 1988.
[Amended by Bill No. 99-31]
From among its members, the Advisory Council shall elect annually a Chairman and any other officers it finds necessary. A member may not serve as Chairman for more than 2 consecutive years.
The members of the Advisory Council shall serve without compensation.
The Advisory Council shall meet at the times and places it determines. The County Health Officer shall provide staff services for the Advisory Council.
A. 
The Advisory Council may create committees and obtain the participation of additional individuals, as it finds necessary.
B. 
The Advisory Council shall:
(1) 
Be a County advocate for a comprehensive approach to the prevention and treatment of mental illness and addictions.
(2) 
Provide representatives for site visit teams that evaluate mental health and addictions facilities and programs in the County.
(3) 
Periodically review the availability and quality of mental health and addictions facilities and services, including aftercare services, in the County.
(4) 
Determine the needs of the mental health and addictions programs in the County.
(5) 
Advise the County Health Officer, County Executive, County Council and the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene on the progress of the County mental health program and on any action needed to improve the program.
(6) 
Submit an annual report on the progress of the County mental health and addictions programs to the County Health Officer, the County Executive and the County Council.
(7) 
Set priorities for allocation of funds.
(8) 
In accordance with those priorities and after consideration of the available financial resources, recommend the appropriate allocation of funds.
(9) 
Assist the County Drug Abuse Program Coordinator, the County Adolescent Drug Abuse Program Coordinator and the County Alcoholism Coordinator in annually revising the County drug abuse program and the County alcoholism plan, respectively.
[Amended by Bill No. 99-31]
(10) 
Review and comment on state and federal grant applications by the County drug abuse, mental health and alcoholism programs.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection B(11), regarding state agencies, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed by Bill No. 99-31, which also renumbered subsequent subsections.
(11) 
Help in program evaluations, where appropriate.
(12) 
Review the State Comprehensive Drug Abuse Control Plan and the State Comprehensive Intoxication and Alcoholism Control Plan.
(13) 
Assist the Drug/Alcohol Impact Coordinator in annually reviewing the prevention program.