2830

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 980

ALTERNATES APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR BY AND WITH THE ADVICE

AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE OF MARYLAND FROM RESIDENTS OF THE

COUNTY WHICH THE BOARD SERVES. EACH BOARD MEMBER SHALL
SERVE A TERM OF 4 YEARS AND UNTIL HIS SUCCESSOR IS APPOINTED

AND QUALIFIED. EXCEPT THAT IN THE INITIAL APPOINTMENTS TWO

MEMBERS SHALL SERVE FOR 2 YEARS AND UNTIL THEIR SUCCESSORS

ARE APPOINTED AND QUALIFIED. BOARD MEMBERS SHALL BE

CITIZENS WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED AN INTEREST IN CHILDREN

THROUGH SUCH ACTIVITIES AS COMMUNITY SERVICE OR PROFESSIONAL

EXPERIENCE, OR POSSESS A BACKGROUND IN LAW, SOCIOLOGY,

PSYCHOLOGY, PSYCHIATRY, EDUCATION, SOCIAL WORK OR MEDICINE,

BOARD MEMBERS ARE SUBJECT TO THE SAME STANDARDS OF
CONFIDENTIALITY AS DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES EMPLOYEES.

EACH LOCAL BOARD SHALL CHOOSE FROM AMONG ITS NUMBER A

CHAIRMAN BY MAJORITY VOTE WHO SHALL HOLD OFFICE FOR 4 YEARS

AND MAY SUCCEED HIMSELF. THE MEMBERS SHALL SERVE WITHOUT

COMPENSATION, BUT SHALL BE REIMBURSED, IN ACCORDANCE WITH

STANDARD TRAVEL REGULATIONS, FOR EXPENSES INCURRED IN

CARRYING OUT THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AS MEMBERS OF A BOARD.

COMPENSATION.

114.

THE STATE BOARD SHALL EMPLOY AN ADMINISTRATOR, AN

ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR, AND CLERICAL SUPPORT TO PERFORM ITS

DUTIES. IN ADDITION, THE STATE BOARD MAY HIRE SUFFICIENT

STAFF TO ASSIST THE LOCAL BOARDS IN PERFORMING THEIR DUTIES.

THE COMPENSATION OF THE EMPLOYEES SHALL BE PERSONNEL AS

PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET.

115.

THE STATE BOARD SHALL MEET AT LEAST TWICE ANNUALLY AND
MORE FREQUENTLY UPON THE CALL OF THE CHAIRMAN TO REVIEW AND

COORDINATE THE ACTIVITIES OF THE LOCAL BOARDS AND MAKE

RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WITH REGARD TO

FOSTER CARE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. THE STATE BOARD MAY
PROMULGATE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE FUNCTION
OF LOCAL BOARDS CONSISTENT WITH THE GOALS FOR THE LOCAL
BOARDS ENUMERATED IN THIS ACT.

116.

THE STATE BOARD MAY CREATE ADDITIONAL LOCAL BOARDS BY

RESOLUTION, AS NECESSARY, AND THESE BOARDS SHALL FUNCTION IN

A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THIS ACT.
117. 116.

(A) THE GOALS OF THE LOCAL BOARDS ARE:

(1) TO REVIEW EVERY 6 MONTHS CASES OF CHILDREN

WHO HAVE RESIDED IN PUBLIC OR PRIVATE FOSTER CARE UNDER THE

JURISDICTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES FOR A

PERIOD OF MORE THAN 6 MONTHS TO DETERMINE WHAT EFFORTS HAVE

BEEN MADE TO ACQUIRE PERMANENT AND STABLE PLACEMENT FOR

THESE CHILDREN;