74

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 25

(2)  "DISADVANTAGED PERSON" MEANS THOSE PERSONS
WHO HAVE BEEN DEPRIVED OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP AND
MAINTAIN A COMPETITIVE POSITION IN THE ECONOMY BECAUSE OF
SOCIAL OR ECONOMIC DISADVANTAGE.

(3)  "MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE" MEANS A
BUSINESS, AT LEAST 50 PERCENT OF WHICH IS OWNED BY MINORITY
PERSONS, OR IN THE CASE OF PUBLICLY OWNED BUSINESSES, AT
LEAST 51 PERCENT OF THE STOCK OF WHICH IS OWNED BY MINORITY
PERSONS.

(4)  "MINORITY PERSON" MEANS ONE WHO IS A SOCIAL
OR ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED PERSON. THE DISADVANTAGE MAY
ARISE FROM CULTURAL, RACIAL, CHRONIC ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES
OF BACKGROUND, OR OTHER SIMILAR CAUSES. "MINORITY PERSON"
INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, NEGROES, FEMALES, PUERTO
RICANS, SPANISH SPEAKING AMERICANS, AMERICAN INDIANS,
ESKIMOS, ALEUTS, ORIENTALS, AND HANDICAPPED SHELTERED
ORIENTED WORKSHOPS.

(B)  THERE IS AN OFFICE OF MINORITY AFFAIRS WITHIN THE
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.

(C)  THE GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT A DIRECTOR OF THE
OFFICE OF MINORITY AFFAIRS WHO SHALL CARRY OUT THE DUTIES
AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OFFICE.

(D)  IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER RESPONSIBILITY THAT THE
GOVERNOR MAY ASSIGN, AND WITHIN CONSTRAINTS OF LAWS, RULES,
OR REGULATIONS THAT GOVERN THE ACTIVITIES OF OTHER STATE
AGENCIES, THE OFFICE OF MINORITY AFFAIRS SHALL:

(1)  CARRY OUT THE VARIOUS STATE AND FEDERAL
PROGRAMS CREATED TO FOSTER GROWTH AND PARTICIPATION IN
MINORITY BUSINESS;

(2)  PROMOTE AND COORDINATE PLANS, PROGRAMS, AND
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES, AND OPERATIONS OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT
WHICH AFFECT OR MAY CONTRIBUTE TO THE ESTABLISHMENT,
PRESERVATION, AND STRENGTHENING OF MINORITY BUSINESS
ENTERPRISE;

(3)  PROMOTE THE MOBILIZATION OF ACTIVITIES AND
RESOURCES OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, BUSINESSES, AND
TRADE ASSOCIATIONS, UNIVERSITIES, FOUNDATIONS, PROFESSIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS, AND VOLUNTEER AND OTHER GROUPS, TOWARDS THE
GROWTH OF MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES, AND COORDINATE THE
EFFORTS OF THESE GROUPS WITH THOSE OF STATE GOVERNMENT,
LOCAL AND FEDERAL AGENCIES;

(4)  ESTABLISH A SYSTEM FOR THE DEVELOPMENT,
COLLECTION, SUMMARIZATION, AND DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION
TO ASSIST PERSONS AND ORGANIZATIONS OF THE STATE IN
UNDERTAKING OR PROMOTING THE ESTABLISHMENT AND SUCCESSFUL
OPERATION OF MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES;

(5)  WITHIN CONSTRAINTS OF LAW AND AVAILABILITY
OF FUNDS: