Harford County, MD Article VIII Harford County Health Planning Commission

[Adopted by Bill No. 78-3;[1] amended in its entirety by Bill No. 91-13]

[1] Editor's Note: This legislation was included as Ch. 2, Art. XII, Div. 12, of the 1978 Code.

§ 9-45 Creation; membership; terms; voting; quorum.

[Amended by Bill No. 93-83]

There is hereby created a commission, to be known as the Harford County Health Planning Commission (HCHPC), hereinafter referred to as "HCHPC."

A. The HCHPC shall consist of 17 members:

(1) As ex officio members:

(a) The County Executive or the Executive's designee, who shall be recommended by the Director of Planning and Zoning;

(b) A representative of the County Council, appointed by the Council; and

(c) The County Health Officer;

(2) The following members, appointed by the Council:

(a) A representative of the hospital industry;

(b) A representative of the nursing home industry;

(c) A representative of the allied health professionals;

(d) A representative of the County Medical Society; and

(e) A representative of the Harford County Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Association, Inc.; and

(3) Nine consumers, 2 appointed by the Executive upon recommendation of the Director of Planning and Zoning and confirmed by the Council, and 7 appointed by the Council. The consumer members shall be County residents and shall be, insofar as possible, representative of the County's population with respect to race, gender, geography, and political affiliation.

B. [1]The terms of the members are as follows:

(1) Subject to Subsection C of this section, the term of an appointed member is 3 years;

(2) The terms of the appointed members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the board serving on July 1, 1993, and as provided by County Council Bill No. 93-83; and

(3) The terms of the ex officio members are coterminous with that of the office which entitles them to serve.

[1] Editor's Note: Section 2 of Bill No. 93-83 also provided for the following expiration of terms: "The terms of the members of the Harford County Health Planning Commission serving on July 1, 1993, shall expire as follows:

A. The terms of the following members shall expire on June 30, 1995:

(1) The representative of the nursing home industry; and

(2) The consumer members recommended by the Council President, the Council member representing District A, and the Council member representing District B;

B. The terms of the following members shall expire on June 30, 1996:

(1) The representative of the allied health professionals;

(2) The representative of the County Medical Society; and

(3) A consumer member appointed by the County Executive and the consumer members recommended by the Council member representing District C and the Council member representing District F; and

C. The terms of the following members shall expire on June 30, 1997:

(1) The representative of the hospital industry;

(2) The representative of the Harford County Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Association, Inc.; and

(3) A consumer member appointed by the County Executive and the consumer members recommended by the Council member representing District D and the Council member representing District E."

C. When a new County Council takes office, any consumer member of the HCHPC appointed by the Council may be replaced at the will of the Council, regardless of the time left in the unexpired term of a member so replaced.

D. A member may be reappointed but may serve no more than 2 consecutive terms.

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

F. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term in the manner of original appointment.

G. Each appointed member and each ex officio member shall have 1 vote.

H. Nine members of the board are a quorum.

I. The HCHPC shall act only when a quorum is present and only by vote of a majority of the members present and voting.

J. At the request of the HCHPC, the Department of Planning and Zoning will prepare a staff report addressing the impact of the Master Land Use Plan, Zoning Ordinance[2] and Public Facilities Ordinance on comprehensive health planning or specific proposals before the HCHPC.

[2] Editor's Note: See Ch. 267, Zoning.

§ 9-46 (Reserved)

§ 9-47 Officers.

The officers of the HCHPC shall consist of a Chairperson appointed annually by the Council and a Vice-Chairperson elected annually by the HCHPC.

§ 9-48 Salaries and compensation.

The members shall serve without compensation for services, but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses related to out of County traveling expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

§ 9-49 Meetings.

The HCHPC shall meet at least six (6) times a year, and may hold special meetings at the call of the Chairperson or a majority of its members.

§ 9-50 Reports.

The Chairperson shall submit an annual report of the HCHPC's activities to the County Executive and County Council.

§ 9-51 Organization.

The HCHPC may consult with such persons and/or agencies as they deem necessary to execute their functions.

§ 9-52 Powers and duties.

A. The functions of the HCHPC shall be as follows:

(1) HCHPC is hereby designated as the local health planning agency for Harford County.

(2) To represent Harford County at the Regional Health Planning and Monitoring Board (RHPMB) hereinafter referred as "RHPMB." The representatives to the RHPMB shall be the County Health Officer and 2 consumer members. The consumer members shall be designated by the County Council, 1 representing the County government and 1 representing the general public.

(3) To periodically review available health service systems and determine local health program needs.

(4) To advise and report regularly to the RHPMB, the County Board of Health, the County Council, and the County Executive on the progress of local health programs and systems and of action needed for their further improvements.

(5) To make recommendations to the Maryland Health Resources Planning Commission (MHRPC) hereafter referred to as "MHRPC," its successors, the RHPMB, or its successors, the County Executive, and County Council for appropriate allocating of funds in accordance with agreed upon priorities and in consideration of private, County, state, and federal financial resources.

(6) To review and comment on proposed plans of the MHRPC or its successors, RHPMB, or its successors, including but not limited to, certification review items, and other health issues which affect the geographic area of the RHPMB and Harford County.

(7) To recommend to the County Executive, County Council and the RHPMB: policies and procedures designed to provide comprehensive County planning for health services, both public and private, including the facilities programs and persons required to provide these services to meet the health needs of the people of the County.

(8) To review and make recommendations to the County Executive and the County Council regarding those elements of the Public Facilities Ordinance, the Land Use Master Plan, and Zoning Ordinance for the County which affects health plans and facilities.

(9) To encourage cooperative efforts among governmental agencies, organizations and groups concerned with health services, facilities or manpower.

(10) To initiate discussions with appropriate organizations and officials in the area of public/private health care partnerships as a potential means to better serve the low-income and special needs populations of Harford County. (Special needs populations would include, but not be limited to senior citizens, developmentally disabled, mentally ill, and other similar populations.)

(11) To promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary for its operation pursuant to Section 807 of the Charter.

(12) To adopt bylaws governing the internal administration of the HCHPC.

(13) To have such other powers and duties as may be from time to time prescribed by the County Council or County Executive not inconsistent with this Article.