§ 5-804. Composition; terms; removal; expenses; staff; chairperson; quorum; meetings

   (a) Composition. -- The Committee shall consist of 18 members appointed by the Secretary, including the following:

   (1) A licensed physician who is board certified in an appropriate specialty;

   (2) A psychopharmacologist;

   (3) A licensed physician on staff with the Department;

   (4) Two specialists, one in the field of developmental disabilities and one in the field of mental health;

   (5) Two licensed providers of community services, one for persons with developmental disabilities and one for persons with mental illnesses;

   (6) Two consumers, one with a developmental disability and one with a mental illness;

   (7) Two family members, one representing a consumer with a developmental disability and one representing a consumer with a mental illness;

   (8) The Deputy Secretary of Behavioral Health and Disabilities or the Deputy Secretary's designee;

   (9) The Director of the Office of Health Care Quality;

   (10) A licensed physician representative from the Medical Examiner's Office;

   (11) A licensed nurse who works with persons with developmental disabilities in a program operated by a State licensed provider in the community;

   (12) A member of an advocacy group for persons with disabilities; and

   (13) Two members of advocacy groups, one for persons with developmental disabilities and one for persons with mental illnesses.

(b) Terms. --

   (1) The term of each member appointed under subsection (a) (1), (2), (4), (5), (6), and (10) of this section is 3 years.

   (2) A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed.

   (3) A member may not be appointed for more than two consecutive full terms.

   (4) The terms of the members are as follows:

      (i) One-third of the members shall be appointed for terms of 3 years commencing October 1, 2000;

      (ii) One-third of the members shall be appointed for terms of 2 years commencing October 1, 2000; and

      (iii) One-third of the members shall be appointed for terms of 1 year commencing October 1, 2000.

   (5) At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed.

(c) Removal of member. -- The Secretary may remove any member of the Committee for good cause.

(d) Reimbursement for expenses. -- A member of the Committee:

   (1) May not receive compensation for service on the Committee; but

   (2) Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.

(e) Staff. -- The Committee shall be staffed by the Department.

(f) Membership limitations. --

   (1) An employee of the Developmental Disabilities Administration or the Mental Hygiene Administration may not be a member of the Committee or any subcommittee of the Committee.

   (2) The Director of the Office of Health Care Quality may not serve on a subcommittee of the Committee or vote on the disposition of an individual mortality review that was previously reviewed by the Office of Health Care Quality.

(g) Chairperson. -- The Secretary shall select a chairperson from among the members of the Committee.

(h) Quorum. -- A quorum of the Committee shall be a majority of the appointed membership of the Committee.

(i) Frequency of meetings. -- The Committee shall meet not less than three times a year.

HISTORY: 2000, ch. 470; 2001, ch. 640; 2006, ch. 268; 2009, chs. 48, 49.