1044

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 341

(C)  THE OFFICE MAY EMPLOY PROFESSIONAL, TECHNICAL,
CLERICAL, STENOGRAPHIC, AND OTHER PERSONNEL TO CARRY OUT ITS
DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS WITHIN THE LIMITS OF BUDGETARY
APPROPRIATIONS FROM TIME TO TIME. THE EMPLOYEES OF THE
OFFICE, EXCEPT THE COORDINATOR AND DEPUTY COORDINATOR,
PROGRAM SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN
ARTICLE 64A OF THE CODE, TITLE "MERIT SYSTEM." ANY EMPLOYEE
OF THE OFFICE WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR TRANSFER TO THE STATE
MERIT SYSTEM, AND WHO HAS HELD THIS POSITION FOR AT LEAST 6
MONTHS, SHALL BE SO TRANSFERRED WITHOUT FURTHER PROBATION,
EXAMINATION, OR QUALIFICATION. AN EMPLOYEE TRANSFERRED TO
THE STATE MERIT SYSTEM, PURSUANT TO THIS SUBSECTION SHALL BE
TRANSFERRED IN THE RESPECTIVE JOB CLASSIFICATION UNDER WHICH
HE IS EMPLOYED AT THE TIME OF TRANSFER AND SHALL NOT RECEIVE
ANY DIMINUTION IN COMPENSATION OR RESPECTIVE AMOUNTS OF
ACCUMULATED LEAVE OR SICK LEAVE, SOLELY AS A RESULT OF THIS
TRANSFER.

(D)  IN THE PERFORMANCE OF ITS DUTIES, THE OFFICE IS
AUTHORIZED AND EMPOWERED TO MAKE AND ENTER INTO CONTRACTS
AND TO ASSUME THOSE FUNCTIONS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBHEADING THAT ARE NOT INCONSISTENT WITH
THIS OR OTHER ACTS. THE OFFICE MAY MAKE AND ENTER INTO
CONTRACTS WITH OTHER BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AGENCIES, AND
INSTITUTIONS OF THIS STATE, OTHER STATES AND THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT, UPON SUCH TERMS AS MAY BE EVENTUALLY AGREED
UPON, TO HAVE SUCH STUDIES AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AS MAY BE
NECESSARY AND PROPER, AND IS AUTHORIZED TO PAY THE COST
THEREOF OUT OF FUNDS WHICH MAY BE APPROPRIATED TO THE
OFFICE.

495.

THE OFFICE OF ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND INFORMATION

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY SHALL DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT
THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS:

(1) AN EMERGENCY ENERGY CRISIS INTERVENTION
PROGRAM TO PREVENT LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS, INCLUDING THE NEAR
POOR, THE ELDERLY, AND THOSE ON FIXED INCOMES FROM
EXPERIENCING DANGER TO HEALTH OR SURVIVAL AS A RESULT OF A
UTILITY DISCONNECTION OR A LACK OF FUEL. THE OFFICE SHALL
ESTABLISH INTAKE PROCEDURES FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING AN ENERGY
EMERGENCY AND GUIDELINES FOR THE INCOME ELIGIBILITY AND THE
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY OF APPLICANTS. IN DEVELOPING THESE
GUIDELINES, THE OFFICE MAY ADOPT THE PROCEDURES OF THE
FEDERAL "EMERGENCY ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAM" IN §
222(A)(12) OF THE "COMMUNITY SERVICES ACT OF 1974." LOCAL
OFFICES FOR ADMINISTERING THE CRISIS INTERVENTION PROGRAM
SHALL BE IDENTIFIED BY THE ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND INFORMATION
OFFICE. AN EMERGENCY FUND SHALL BE ESTABLISHED TO PAY FUEL
AND UTILITY VENDORS WHO HAVE DISCONTINUED PROVIDED SERVICE
TO PERSONS QUALIFYING FOR THE CRISIS INTERVENTION PROGRAM.
THE AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE SHALL BE BASED ON NEED, WITH A
MAXIMUM OF $450 PER CALENDAR QUARTER $250 PER YEAR TO ANY
QUALIFYING HOUSEHOLD. WHERE POSSIBLE, ALL EXISTING
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS CONCERNED WITH ENERGY EMERGENCIES SHALL