HARRY HUGHES, Governor

1043

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES PROGRAM. THE EXECUTIVE

DIRECTOR OF THE MARYLAND OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
SHALL ALSO APPOINT A DEPUTY COORDINATOR WHO SHALL BE THE
PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT TO THE COORDINATOR. BOTH APPOINTEES ARE
NOT SUBJECT TO ARTICLE 64A OF THIS CODE, AND SHALL BE
SELECTED BECAUSE OF THEIR KNOWN EXPERIENCE AND INTEREST IN
THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
PROGRAMS. THEY SHALL RECEIVE SALARIES AS PROVIDED IN THE
BUDGET.

(B) THE EXERCISE OF ALL AUTHORITY, DUTIES, AND
FUNCTIONS VESTED, OR TO BE VESTED, IN THE OFFICE OF ENERGY
ASSISTANCE AND INFORMATION OR IN THE COORDINATOR OR THE
DEPUTY COORDINATOR BY THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBHEADING OR
BY ANY OTHER LAWS OF THIS STATE IS SUBJECT TO THE AUTHORITY
OF THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES AS SET
FORTH IN ARTICLE 41 OF THIS CODE OR ELSEWHERE IN THE LAWS OF
MARYLAND.

494.

(A)  THE OFFICE SHALL MAINTAIN LIAISON WITH BOTH THE
MARYLAND AND THE FEDERAL OFFICES OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY,
COUNTY AND CITY OFFICES CONCERNED WITH ENERGY PROGRAMS,
CITIZEN GROUPS, AND ALL OTHER AGENCIES OF THE STATE,
FEDERAL, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS AND IT SHALL
CONSULT WITH AND ADVISE THESE LOCAL GROUPS ON THEIR ENERGY
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND SHALL WORK AT ALL LEVELS OF
GOVERNMENT TO ADMINISTER AND IMPLEMENT THE ENERGY ASSISTANCE
AND INFORMATION ACT AND PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, THE OFFICE
SHALL ESTABLISH LIAISON WITH ALL UTILITY AND MAJOR FUEL
VENDORS IN THE STATE AND SHALL SEEK THEIR ADVICE WHEN
DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING THE ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

(B)  THE OFFICE SHALL COLLECT AND ASSEMBLE PERTINENT
INFORMATION AND DATA AVAILABLE FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND
AGENCIES OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS AND SHALL
DISSEMINATE INFORMATION IN THE INTEREST OF ENERGY
ASSISTANCE. THE OFFICE SHALL ADOPT THE FOLLOWING
INFORMATION COLLECTION AND DISSEMINATION PROCEDURES:

(1)  IDENTIFICATION OF ALL UTILITY VENDORS AND
MAJOR FUEL VENDORS WITHIN THE STATE, FOLLOWED BY EFFORTS TO
OBTAIN THEIR VOLUNTARY COOPERATION WITH THE ENERGY
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

(2)  A STATE INFORMATION SERVICE THAT UTILIZES A
TOLL FREE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE NUMBER TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC
WITH PROGRAM INFORMATION AND THE LOCATION OF THE NEAREST
LOCAL ENERGY ASSISTANCE OFFICE.

(3)  A MECHANISM FOR MONITORING THE EFFECTIVENESS
OF THE ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO DETERMINE IF ELIGIBLE
HOUSEHOLDS ARE AWARE OF AND HAVE ACCESS TO THE LOCAL PROGRAM
OFFICES.