J.R. 3 JOINT RESOLUTIONS

WHEREAS, Law enforcement officials suspect that the increase in Black male
murder is related to drug trafficking and gang violence; and

WHEREAS, Black males are dramatically overrepresented in both the adult
prison population and the Department of Juvenile Services facilities; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the
Governor is requested to establish a Commission on Black Males; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Commission be composed of 17 members including:

(1) (i) 3 members of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the
House; and

(ii) 3 members of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of
the Senate;

(2) 2 members from the State Department of Education;

(3) 2 members from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene;

(4) 2 members from the Department of Public Safety and Corrections;

(5) 2 members from the Department of Economic and Employment
Development;

(6) 1 member from the Maryland Higher Education Commission; and

(7) 2 members from the public at large; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Governor designate the chairman of the Commission; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That the staffing for the Commission shall be provided by the
Office of the Governor; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the purpose of the Commission is to:

(1) Oversee and supervise four separate and distinct subcommittees devoted to
solving problems and advancing recommendations exclusively pertinent to Black males,
in the areas of unemployment, criminal justice, education, and health;

(2) Conduct research to determine the nature and extent of the problems
concerning Black males in the four targeted areas;

(3) Hold public hearings for the purpose of collecting data;

(4) Identify existing federal, State, and local programs that address problems
and solutions relevant to the targeted areas of study;

(5) Implement appropriate new programs, or demonstration projects, or both;

(6) Develop and implement community education and public awareness

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