HARRY HUGHES, Governor                              4567

ACTIVITIES NECESSARY TO INSURE THE DELIVERY OF QUALITY LEGAL
SERVICES.

45D. CORPORATION - ESTABLISHMENT.

(A)  THERE IS ESTABLISHED IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND A
NONSTOCK CORPORATION WHICH SHALL BE KNOWN AS "THE MARYLAND
LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION" FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING AND
DISTRIBUTING FUNDS TO GRANTEES THAT PROVIDE LEGAL ASSISTANCE
IN NONCRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS OR MATTERS TO ELIGIBLE CLIENTS.

(B)  THE CORPORATION SHALL MAINTAIN ITS PRINCIPAL
OFFICE IN THE STATE AND SHALL MAINTAIN A DESIGNATED AGENT TO
ACCEPT SERVICE OF PROCESS FOR THE CORPORATION WHOSE NAME AND
ADDRESS SHALL BE FILED WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF
ASSESSMENTS AND TAXATION.

(C)  THE CORPORATION IS EXEMPT FROM ALL SPECIAL AND
ORDINARY TAXES AND FROM DOCUMENTARY STAMP AND TRANSFER TAXES
IMPOSED BY THE STATE OR ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION THEREOF.

(D)  EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS SUBTITLE, THE
CORPORATION IS NOT A DEPARTMENT, AGENCY, OR INSTRUMENTALITY
OF THE STATE.

45E. BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

(A)  MEMBERSHIP.

THE CORPORATION SHALL HAVE A BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CONSISTING OF 9 VOTING MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR,
WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE NO MORE THAN 5 OF
WHOM SHALL BE OF THE SAME POLITICAL PARTY. FIVE MEMBERS
SHALL BE MEMBERS OF THE BAR OF THE COURT OF APPEALS OF
MARYLAND AND 4 SHALL BE NONLAWYERS. BOARD MEMBERS SHALL BE
RESIDENTS OF THE STATE, WHO REPRESENT THE DIFFERENT

GEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS OF THE STATE, AND SHALL HAVE A

DEMONSTRATED INTEREST IN AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE DELIVERY OF
QUALITY LEGAL SERVICES TO THE POOR.

(B)  TERM OF OFFICE.

THE TERM OF OFFICE OF EACH MEMBER OF THE BOARD SHALL BE
3 YEARS EXCEPT THAT 3 OF THE MEMBERS FIRST APPOINTED, AS
DESIGNATED BY THE GOVERNOR WHEN FIRST APPOINTED, SHALL SERVE
FOR A TERM OF 1 YEAR AND 3 SHALL SERVE FOR A TERM OF 2
YEARS. EACH MEMBER OF THE BOARD SHALL CONTINUE TO SERVE
UNTIL A SUCCESSOR HAS BEEN APPOINTED. ANY VACANCY OCCURRING
ON THE BOARD DURING THE TERM OF ANY MEMBER SHALL BE FILLED
BY THE GOVERNOR FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE UNEXPIRED TERM. A
MEMBER MAY NOT BE REAPPOINTED TO MORE THAN 2 CONSECUTIVE
TERMS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THAT MEMBER'S INITIAL TERM.

(C)  STATUS.