4582

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 832

(2) IT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS SECTION TO
STRENGTHEN, SUPPLEMENT AND COORDINATE EFFORTS TO COMBAT THE
CAUSES AND PROBLEMS OF POVERTY IN MARYLAND BY:

(I)  MOBILIZING RESOURCES OF BOTH THE
PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN ORDER TO
INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR POOR AND LOW INCOME CITIZENS TO
DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND CAPABILITIES;

(II)  DEVELOPING THE FULL POTENTIAL OF POOR
AND LOW INCOME CITIZENS SO THAT EACH PERSON CAN LIVE IN
DECENCY AND DIGNITY AND ACHIEVE INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY
SELF-SUFFICIENCY; AND

(III)  PROMOTING THE DEVELOPMENT,
EVALUATION, AND USE OF NEW AND INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO
ATTACK THE ORIGINS AND ISSUES OF POVERTY.

(C)  THIS SECTION IS INTENDED TO STRENGTHEN THE ABILITY
OF COMMUNITIES TO PLAN AND COORDINATE AVAILABLE LOCAL,
FEDERAL, STATE, AND PRIVATE RESOURCES, BY MAKING THIS
ASSISTANCE MORE RESPONSIVE TO LOCAL NEEDS AND CONDITIONS.

(D) (1) THE GOVERNING BODY WITH JURISDICTION OVER THE
COMMUNITY TO BE SERVED BY THE PROPOSED COMMUNITY ACTION
AGENCY SHALL MAKE MAY MAKE, CHANGE, OR REVOKE A DESIGNATION:

(I)  BY ACT, ORDINANCE, OR RESOLUTION; OR

(II)  BY ORDER OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF
THE GOVERNING BODY IF THE CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER CERTIFIES IN
WRITING THAT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE POSSESSES THE POWER TO MAKE
THE DESIGNATION ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNING BODY.

(2) (I) THE GOVERNING BODY SHALL CONDUCT A
PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE IT MAKES, CHANGES, OR REVOKES A
DESIGNATION.

(II)  A TRANSITION OR CLOSE DOWN PLAN
APPROVED BY THE SECRETARY OF HUMAN RESOURCES SHALL ACCOMPANY
THE NOTIFICATION TO THE PUBLIC OF A PROPOSED CHANGE IN OR
REVOCATION OF A DESIGNATION.

(III)  A CHANGE IN OR REVOCATION OF A
DESIGNATION SHALL TAKE EFFECT AT THE START OF THE PROGRAM
STATE FISCAL YEAR.

(E)  (1) A COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY SHALL FUNCTION AND
ADMINISTER ITS PROGRAMS THROUGH A COMMUNITY ACTION BOARD
CONSISTING OF AT LEAST 15 MEMBERS, STRUCTURED SO THAT:

(I) ONE-THIRD OF THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
ARE ELECTED PUBLIC OFFICIALS CURRENTLY HOLDING OFFICE, OR
THEIR REPRESENTATIVES;