3198 ARTICLE 88A

Welfare, as the lawful successor thereto. Wherever in the Code of Public
General Laws of Maryland the term "Department of Charities" appears,
there shall be substituted therefor the term "State Department of Public
Welfare"; wherever the term "Board of State Aid and Charities" appears,
the term "State Department of Public Welfare" shall be substituted
therefor.

The Board of Public Welfare shall appoint a competent person to act
as Director of Public Welfare, and as Secretary to the Board of Public
Welfare, who shall be paid for his services such compensation as may be
provided in the budget. The Director shall be a competent person having
adequate training and practical experience in social welfare work; and
in making said appointment, the Board shall be governed by Article 64A
of the Code of Public General Laws of Maryland. The Director shall
devote his whole time to the duties of his office. The present Executive
Secretary of the Department of Charities shall retain his present status
under the merit system, and be reclassified as the first Director of Public
Welfare.

1939, chs. 99 and 240, sec. 2.

2. There is hereby created and established a Board of Public Welfare,
consisting of seven members to be appointed by the Governor, one of
whom shall be designated by the Governor as Chairman. One member of
such Board shall be designated by the Governor to serve until June 1,
1940, and the other six appointees, respectively, until the first day of
June, 1941,1942, 1943, 1944, 1945 and 1946, respectively; and thereafter
each member appointed shall serve for a term of seven years, or until
his successor has been appointed and qualified. In case of a vacancy in
the Board for any reason, the Governor shall appoint a member for the
remainder of the unexpired term. The members of the Board shall receive
no salary for their services as such, but their expenses incurred in attend-
ing meetings shall be paid on certificate of the Director of Public Welfare
and upon warrants of the Comptroller.

1939, chs. 99 and 240, sec. 3.

3. The State Department of Public Welfare shall be the central, co-
ordinating, and directing agency of the welfare activities included within
this Article, and any supplements and amendments thereto, and also of
welfare activities in the fields of Aid to Dependent Children, Old Age
Assistance, Assistance to the Needy Blind, and General Public Assistance.
All of the activities of the County Boards, hereinafter provided for, and
of the Department of Public Welfare of Baltimore City, which the State
finances, in whole or in part, shall be subject to the supervision, direction
and control of the State Department of Public Welfare. Said State De-
partment shall also investigate, study and consider the whole system of
public and private institutions, organizations and agencies of a charitable
nature in the State, including those which receive part of their income
from the State.

1935, ch. 586, sec. 3. 1939, chs. 99 and 240, sec. 4.

4. Prior to the convening of every regular session of the General
Assembly the State Department of Public Welfare with the approval of
the Board shall furnish to the Governor a printed report of all its activities