Ch. 419 LAWS OF MARYLAND

of effective public information and education on [children's] services FOR
CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES in Maryland;

[(10)] (14) Formulate policy positions or statements on legislative issues
and, under the direction of the Governor, communicate those positions or statements to
the General Assembly;

[(11)] (15) Adopt rules and regulations necessary to carry out the
provisions of this article;

[(12) Implement the priorities identified by the Advisory Committee;

(13)] (16) Delegate such other additional responsibilities as [he] THE
SPECIAL SECRETARY deems appropriate; and

[(14)] (17) Report annually to the Governor and the public on the activities
of the Office.

(C) THE SPECIAL SECRETARY SHALL SERVE AS THE GOVERNOR'S
ADVOCATE FOR IMPROVED SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND
THEIR FAMILIES.

4 5.

(a) The children's councils are a part of the [Maryland] Office for Children
[and], Youth, AND FAMILIES and exercise the powers and duties specified in this
article.

(b) There shall be a children's council in each county and Baltimore City.

(c) Each children's council is appointed by the chief executive officer of that
subdivision and includes representatives of the local departments of health, education,
and social services and members appointed at large.

(d) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, members are
appointed for a term of three years.

(2) In Charles County, members are appointed for a term of 4 years.

(e) In the event of the resignation of a member or a vacancy in the membership
of a children's council for any reason, the chief executive officer of the subdivision shall
appoint a qualified person to fill the unexpired term of the member.

(f) The members of the children's council serve without compensation.

(g) It is the responsibility of each children's council to:

(1) Examine public and private programs, services, and plans for children,
[under the age of 18] YOUTH, AND THEIR FAMILIES in their jurisdictions for the
purpose of identifying duplications, inefficiencies, and unmet needs and evaluating the
effectiveness of those programs, services, and plans;

(2) Secure and analyze departmental plans and budget requests affecting

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