Harford County, MD Article XIVA Commission on Disabilities

[Adopted by Bill No. 95-60]

§ 9-93 Creation; membership.

[Amended by Bill. No. 00-57]

A. The Commission on Disabilities is hereby established and shall consist of 16 members. Except as provided in Subsection B(2) of this section, members of the Commission on Disabilities shall be appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council in accordance with the Charter of Harford County.

B. The Commission members shall be:

(1) Five County citizens with disabilities;

(2) A member of the County Council, appointed by the Council;

(3) Two family members of individuals with disabilities;

(4) One County citizen who owns or operates a local business or who is an employee of a local business, recommended by the Harford County Chamber of Commerce;

(5) Two County citizens with an interest in assisting individuals with disabilities;

(6) Four individuals representing agencies serving individuals with disabilities;

(7) A student representative, chosen annually by the Commission either in the student's junior year to serve during the senior year or in the sophomore year to serve during the junior year, said term to begin in July of each year.

§ 9-94 Terms; compensation; meetings.

[Amended by Bill No. 00-57]

A. Of the 16 members, 6 shall be appointed for initial terms of 3 years, 5 shall be appointed for initial terms of 2 years and 4 shall be appointed for initial terms of 1 year. After expiration of the initial terms, all terms shall be for 3-year terms.

B. At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed. Vacancies will be filled for the unexpired term in the manner of original appointment.

C. Members of the Commission shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties.

D. The Commission shall hold such meetings as may be necessary for the proper conduct of its business, but no less than 6 times per year.

§ 9-95 Officers.

The County Executive shall annually appoint one of the members of the Commission as Chairperson, and one member as Vice-Chairperson, subject to confirmation by the County Council.

§ 9-96 Powers and duties.

The Commission on Disabilities shall:

A. Review overall services and activities for, collect data regarding the needs of and review reports and publications of existing governmental agencies providing services to individuals with disabilities;

B. Review legislation, County, state or federal, which concerns or would impact individuals with disabilities;

C. Identify and review specific and overall programs and services for all individuals in the County with disabilities to formulate recommendations for a data pool for the purpose of identifying areas of unmet needs in services and programs for individuals with disabilities;

D. Study and make recommendations as to the manner in which the use of facilities and services available to individuals with disabilities can be maximized;

E. Advise on and promote the development of an information and referral service for all services and programs for individuals with disabilities;

F. Recommend for such procedures, programs or legislation as may be deemed necessary to promote the well-being of individuals with disabilities;

G. Conduct open meetings to provide direct communication by individuals with disabilities with private and public organizations and with the general public in order to gather and disseminate information regarding the status of programs, services and needs of individuals with disabilities;

H. Advise the County Executive on the implementation of the Americans With Disabilities Act, monitor its implementation by the County and serve as an ongoing liaison between individuals with disabilities in the County, or organizations representing individuals with disabilities and County government;

I. Annually submit a report to the County Executive and the County Council on its accomplishments for the preceding year and goals for the upcoming year.