§ 24-904. Advisory committee

   (a) Appointment. -- The County Executive of Prince George's County or the County Executive's designee shall appoint an advisory committee for the Program.

(b) Composition. -- The advisory committee shall consist of:

   (1) Two representatives from academia who specialize in public health issues;

   (2) One representative from law enforcement, nominated by the Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services;

   (3) One representative of the Prince George's County Police Department;

   (4) One representative from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, nominated by the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene;

   (5) One representative of a Prince George's County community group;

   (6) One representative of an AIDS advocacy group;

   (7) One drug abuse treatment counselor;

   (8) One recovering injecting drug user; and

   (9) Up to three other individuals whom the County Executive of Prince George's County or the County Executive's designee determines to be appropriate for appointment to the advisory committee.

(c) Duties. -- The advisory committee shall:

   (1) Provide advice to the local health officer for Prince George's County and the Program Director on developing:

      (i) Program operating procedures for the furnishing, identifying, and one-for-one exchange of hypodermic needles and syringes to injecting drug users;

      (ii) A plan for community outreach and education;

      (iii) A protocol for referring Program participants to substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation; and

      (iv) A plan for evaluating the Program;

   (2) Before the Program begins operating, review and make a recommendation to the local health officer for Prince George's County for the approval or disapproval of:

      (i) The Program operating procedures for the furnishing and one-for-one exchange of hypodermic needles and syringes to injecting drug users;

      (ii) The community outreach and education plan;

      (iii) The protocol for referring Program participants to substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation; and

      (iv) The plan for evaluating the Program; and

   (3) Make recommendations to the Program Director or the local health officer for Prince George's County regarding any aspect of Program procedures, operation, or evaluation.

HISTORY: 1998, ch. 251.